AUBURN — The school district’s proposed budget will rise $184,000 to cover additional costs for demolishing the Edward Little High School gym, according to Superintendent Cornelia Brown.
The proposed budget initially totaled $58.9 million, but has been raised to $59.1 million. The funding will come directly from the state and will not lead to a further increase in the proposed tax impact, she said.
Edward Little’s gym was built near 1960. It contains polychlorinated biphenyl, more commonly known as PCBs, a hazardous chemical that requires a more-costly disposal process.
Estimates to tear down the gym and clean up the PCBs is $4.6 million more than what was budgeted in 2019. The state has agreed to fully cover the higher cost.
The extra $184,000 reflects the increase for next year’s debt service payment.
Residents will vote to accept the extra funds from the state June 13, the day of the school budget referendum.
During public comment, Jen Eugley asked the board to reconsider cutting four classroom teaching positions from Walton Elementary School. She said she is heavily involved with the school as a parent, a substitute teacher and the secretary of the school’s parent-teacher organization.
Cutting four classroom teachers would result in one teacher per grade for at least four grades. Eugley said she was concerned larger class sizes would place an even greater strain on teachers and impact learning outcomes.
She requested that the board at least consider preserving the kindergarten teacher proposed to be cut.
Board members later requested to review the projected class sizes for Walton at the next meeting.
After the meeting, Brown said Walton’s projected kindergarten enrollment next year is 13 students.
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