By Devon Cormier
Staff Writer

Despite the snowy weather and some controversy over a proposed security system for the Auburn Village School, residents gathered at the annual School District Meeting and approved each of the six articles on the warrant on Friday, March 11.

New school fund
Residents approved an article asking to put $549,726 in unanticipated state aid into a fund established in 2001 for the construction of a new school. The money was left over after the state’s contribution to Auburn exceeded what town officials had budgeted for.

Residents passed the article with little comment, but it resurfaced when residents were discussing a security system.

Security system
Residents were asked for $27,500 for a security system to be installed at the Village School, but this was amended by voters after a school board motion to include an extra $11,090 for cameras, a monitor and speakers. The police department was also involved in the design and approval of the security system.

Budget committee chairman Lewis Theos stood often to explain why the budget committee had a hard time supporting the article despite wanting the school to have a security system.

“This was recommended by the budget committee but it was a very close vote,” Theos said. “The problem with it was that we wanted the money to come from the school buildings and grounds money in Article 4. The money shouldn’t come from the taxpayers.”

Many residents stood to speak in favor of taking the money out of the money approved in Article 4 rather than raise it through taxation. However, the money in Article 4 had already been approved for the fund, established for new construction. Some, including Theos, said the fund was not clear in its wording and unfair to voters.

The amended amount for the security system, $38,590, was approved by voters despite the opposition.

Teacher’s contract
Other articles passed by with little comment. Article 2, a three-year teacher’s contract with a $129,894 first-year increase, passed in record time.

Budget
The operating budget, proposed at $8,738,795, passed after a few resident comments. Many asked how the school board determines what the state will be giving the town in education grants and education taxes.

School board member Kathleen Porter said Auburn is expecting $1,909,527 from state adequacy grants and $1,509,620 in state education taxes. Porter said the school board is operating under the current law, although recent years have seen vast fluctuations in state money.

State Rep. Jim Headd was asked to speak about the state’s plans.

“There are a lot of games being played out there with the numbers,” Headd said. “I really have nothing firm or concrete to offer anything tonight.”

Porter said that the tax rate is set after the state gives the school district money so if the state’s numbers come in much lower than expected, the rest is made up through taxation.

Special education
Article 5 was approved to raise $10,000 for a special education fund. That money is used only if a child with special needs moves into Auburn.

The budget committee did not recommend the article because the fund already contains more than $27,000. School board Chairman Elaine Hobbs said it is necessary to keep putting money in because one student with special needs could cost up to $100,000 a year. The article passed with overwhelming support despite opposition.

Fence
Voters also passed Article 7, which asks for $20,000 to fence playing fields. School board members said the fields are constantly getting ruined when vehicles drive on them, which compromises the safety of students and wastes maintenance money.