Auburn School Committee approves school choice, warrant articles, and mental health club grant

AUBURN -- February 11, 2026, Auburn School Committee unanimously approved school choice continuation, a mental health club grant, and town meeting warrant articles at its February 11 meeting. Superintendent Alan Cote presented a draft FY27 budget carrying a 4.19 percent increase and warned that a potential additional $100,000 reduction demanded by town leadership would almost certainly require cutting personnel, since roughly 97 to 98 percent of the district's spending is locked into non-discretionary contracts. Business Manager Jennifer Stanic detailed a multi-year audit of Auburn High School student activity accounts, finding recording discrepancies in the Drama Club ledger across several fiscal years and setting a verified end-of-FY25 balance of $1,315.99; all balances are now signed off by five parties including the superintendent. The committee also voted to approve the addition of the Bring Change to Mind student activity club and its associated annual grant of up to $500, and authorized warrant articles for the May 5 annual town meeting, where the school budget will face a town-wide vote.