AUBURN — The city’s alternative school isn’t going anywhere.

Auburn Superintendent Katy Grondin announced Tuesday night on the School Department’s Facebook page that after meeting with an architect and officials from other schools, the decision was made to drop the idea of moving the Franklin School to Edward Little High School.

Grondin said she also had discussions with Franklin Principal Russ Barlow and his staff before the decision was made to keep the school at its current site.

The High Street school has 65 high school and 14 middle school students.

Previously, Grondin had promoted the move to Edward Little, saying that if Franklin became part of the bigger high school, it would give Franklin students access to additional services and programs.

The reaction from Franklin students, current and former, was immediate and opposition to the move was nearly universal.

“The whole point of having an alternative school is because students succeed better in smaller groups, among other things,” said Jennifer Morin, a former student. “I would have dropped out of school if it hadn’t been for Franklin. Absolutely loved that school, students and the amazing staff.”

The School Committee had initially scheduled a vote on the move for Wednesday night. Since the idea was scrapped, the item was removed from the agenda and no vote was necessary.

Voters will decide in June whether to build a new Edward Little High School.


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