AUBURN — The Auburn School Committee Wednesday night approved a new school calendar for 2017-18 that does not include any early-release days for students in grades seven-12.

But the calendar could be amended next year, School Committee member Heidi Lachappelle said, if parents and educators agree on how to provide more professional development time to teachers.

An earlier proposal from Superintendent Katy Grondin to introduce half-days on Wednesday for grades seven-12 drew opposition from parents, who said they’re concerned about lost classroom time, idle teenagers and that the decision was made without community input.

The School Committee dropped the proposal, agreeing to give the subject more time and more community input. A workshop to review options will be held at 6 p.m. on June 7 before the regular meeting. A public forum airing different options will be scheduled.

The 2017-18 calendar continues half-days Wednesdays for grades K-six, where most weeks students are released at 11:30 a.m. to give teachers time for professional development.

It shows the first day of the school year is Aug. 30, the last day June 8 if there are no snow days.

New administrators

In other business, the School Committee approved the nomination of Jeffrey Benson as Edward Little athletic director, replacing Dan Deshaies, who is retiring.

Benson, of Auburn, is the athletic director at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. He has experience as a coach and athletic director in several school departments and colleges. In 2007, he received the Robert Lahey Award as Athletic Director of the Year. From 2000 to 2003, Benson was the Edward Little High School athletic director.

“Welcome back,” School Committee member Bonnie Hayes said.

Benson’s salary will be $85,000, according to Superintendent Katy Grondin.

Another new position announced Wednesday night but did not need committee approval was Ryan C. Fairchild as director of special education. Fairchild is replacing Laurie Lemieux, who is leaving to accept a position in Winthrop.

Fairchild, of Portland, is director of special services at the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District, a position he’s held since 2012.

In that job, he’s responsible for preparing a $3 million annual budget; for hiring, training and supervising staff and improved student participation in regular education classrooms, according to his resume.

From 2009 to 2012, he was director of special education at a school department in Claremont, N.H., and before that, was director of special education in Franklin, N.H.

His annual salary will be $103,500, according to Grondin.

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