And that does not bode well for the continuation of the Auburn school Department’s policy of maintaining a low student-to-administrator ratio. With a total of 3,619 students and 15 administrators, the ratio is 241 to 1.

Given the economic environment we find ourselves in, it is difficult, if not impossible, to take potential future reductions of administrators off the table—as well as any other reductions and spending restraints that will be just as contentious.

Welcome to the Website of the Small Property Owners of Auburn, Maine

The Small Property Owners of Auburn (SPOA) are dedicated to advancing the goals of the average property owner in the City of Auburn.

Our organization provides an oasis for a wide range of Auburn residents and business owners that want their opinions heard. With the philosophy that there is no substitute for community participation, it is our goal to assist in any way possible to keep the Auburn taxpayers aware and involved.

If you are interested in learning more about the Small Property Owners of Auburn or if you would like to contact us for any reason, please view our contact information page. We encourage anyone who is interested in any aspect of the Small Property Owners of Auburn to voice their opinions to us. We would like to invite members of the public from all ends of the spectrum to submit comments, articles, questions, or other discussion topics and we will be glad to consider them for publication and further discussion here on our website.

April 2008

1 assistant principal for 262 kids. Is that... Too much of a good thing?
By Lindsay Tice and Bonnie Washuk, Sunjournal.com
Sunday, April 20, 2008

At Edward Little High School in Auburn, one principal and four assistant principals oversee 1,048 students. That's top one administrator for every 209 students.

February 2008

Ward Meetings?

Auburn has held two Ward meetings so far (Wards 1 and 2) and Wards 3 and 4 are coming up next week (Ward 4 - Tuesday, March 4th @ Fairview School/7pm, and Ward 5 - Wednesday, March 5th @ the Auburn Public Library/7pm).

January 2008

Joint Lewiston Auburn School Committee Meeting

The Auburn School Committee met on Wednesday January 30th with the Lewiston School Committee in Lewiston. The meeting involved a discussion of Adult Ed., Special Ed., and Finance related collaboration between the two Cities. The dollar amounts in terms of collaboration related savings will become more clear as this year's budget process moves along, but it appears as though the total figures are below the $1 million dollar range. It is clear however, that Auburn's School District collaboration with Lewiston's provides better and more efficient services in many cases. A discussion emerged about the potential exploration of a merger between the Special Ed. Departments within each School Department, but it got a relatively lukewarm response from the two Superintendents which they attributed to complications that could arise on a number of levels. The Sun Journal covered some of this and other issues that came up in that meeting in the following article:

L-A schools working on working together

SunJournal.com - Thursday, January 31, 2008

There are still two school departments in Lewiston and Auburn. Still two superintendents, two business managers, two special education directors, two transportation directors, and two adult education programs.

Assistant Superintendent Issue Update

The School Committee met on Wednesday January 16th and the issue of the Assistant Superintendent Consulting arrangement with Barbara Eretzian was the first item of business. Chairman David Das began the meeting with an explanation of the history of the situation. Some of the questions raised by the public were clarified but no discussion took place about whether or not the arrangement would be renewed in the future. Click Here for More...

Superintendent Consulting Backlash

January 15, 2008

A series of editorials in the Lewiston Sun Journal have brought to light a slew of negative public sentiment towards the Auburn School Committee in relation to the arrangement made by the 2006-2007 School Committee to hire former Superintendent Barbara Eretzian on a consulting basis under a 60 day contract for the amount of $45,000.00. Click Here For More Information

School Proposal

By Brian Demers of the Small Property Owners of Auburn

Approximately two weeks ago, the school department unveiled to the public and city council a thirty-five million dollar plan for improving the city’s schools. This plan included the closures, consolidations, upgrades, and expansions of both elementary and secondary education school buildings. more...

Update: January 7, 2008

The Lewiston School Committee and City Council will be inaugurated Monday January 7, 2007. Some Auburn City Councilors and School Committee members are expected to attend. On January 2, 2007 the Auburn School Committee met at Fairview Elementary School. The Committee removed the Superintendent's interim status, approved a community relations sub-committee, and voted to renew the half-day Wednesday discussion at some point in the future.

New year brings resolution time . . . for education, too

By Dorothy Rich , McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

As the new year begins, all manner of lists get made. Among them, year after year, is the list of the most needed, top educational reforms. The usual suspects get rounded up: charter schools, more technology, vouchers, choice, new curricula, new tests, merit pay and so on.

Hit Counter