On July 23, the citizens of Auburn will be voting a second time to validate a revised Auburn School Department budget, which has been endorsed by the School Committee and the City Council.

The Auburn School Department believes this budget deserves the public’s support of the funding needed to educate more than 3,600 students.

The revised budget represents more than $850,000 in reductions, $843,000 from our fund balance and the cost sharing of the resource officers with the city, specifically to reduce the budget impact on property taxes.

This revised budget does not address the $2 million local shortfall in meeting the state requirements for funding education. This shortfall will need to be addressed in subsequent budgets.

In addition, the revised budget does not include funds for a new high school, due to a decision to wait for state funding to support the project.

The public can show support of the School Committee and City Council by voting yes on July 23.

Katy Grondin, Auburn, Superintendent of Schools