The Auburn School Department is preparing to move the city’s sixth graders from the elementary schools to Auburn Middle School at 38 Falcon Drive.

Superintendent Susan Dorris gave an overview of the change to the City Council last week.

Currently, sixth graders are at all six of Auburn’s elementary schools. The move is expected to not only save money, but improve academics.

Here are the main takeaways:

The project will cost $11.2 million

To accommodate the sixth graders, Auburn Middle School will be renovated to create more classrooms. It’s estimated to cost $5.01 million.

At the same time, school officials thought it made sense to start the middle school’s capital improvement plan, which is estimated to cost around $6.1 million. Capital improvements include a new roof, improving accessibility and updating fire alarms.

Additionally, the nutrition department will spend $596,000 to update and improve the kitchen. The money is from the nutrition department’s fund balance and won’t be included in the bond, but will be part of the middle school’s renovations.

It will be paid for by a bond

The Auburn City Council will have the final say on the bond in a vote scheduled May 4.

A bond is essentially a loan that has a fixed interest rate. If the City Council approves the bond, the first payment — an estimated $1.8 million — will be built into the 2028 school year budget. Every year after that, the payments will decrease.

It’s expected to save money in the long run

Based on a study the school department completed a few years ago, enrollment in the school department is expected to decrease. By freeing up 240 student spaces between all six elementary schools, it leaves room for consolidation, or possibly a closure of a school, the superintendent said.

Having fewer schools will allow the department to allocate its money in smarter ways, Dorris said.

“We are putting our money into six different facilities at the elementary level. If we can have fewer schools, our investments will be more strategic over time and can focus resources where they matter most,” she said.

It’s thought to improve academic outcome 

Auburn is one of 10 school departments across the state with seventh and eighth graders at its middle school. Others either have a sixth through eighth grade, or kindergarten through eighth grade.

Moving the students to the middle school will improve their academic outcomes by having a streamlined curriculum, but also, through participating in sports teams and other extracurricular activities, Dorris said.

“Having all three grades in the school improves relationships and the culture,” she said.

Construction will start next spring

If the City Council approves the bond, construction is slated to start in April 2027.

It’s estimated to take 16 months, with the end date in time for sixth graders to start in fall 2028.

There is no timeline for the elementary school reconfiguration, Dorris said.