Auburn School Committee accepts federal grants, unveils $34.6M draft FY27 school budget

AUBURN -- December 3, 2025, Auburn School Committee unanimously accepted more than $1 million in federal grants and unveiled a $34.6 million draft FY27 school budget representing a 4.19 percent increase over the current year. Superintendent Dr. Beth Chamberlain and Business Manager Jennifer Stanick led a full leadership team presentation Wednesday, citing the loss of $491,300 in one-time English learner shelter reimbursement funds, a 7 percent transportation contract increase with AA Transportation, and nearly 9 percent growth in special education enrollment as the primary cost drivers; projected offsets total $3,765,153. Chamberlain warned the committee that IDEA and Title I grants alone approach $1 million and that any federal funding disruption would be "devastating" to district operations, and said any town-mandated budget reduction would "without a doubt" hit staffing. Assistant Superintendent Alan Keller presented a second reading of Policy IKF, a new state-required graduation competency determination replacing the MCAS, with a third reading and a state filing deadline of December 31 both set for action at the December 17 meeting.