School committee tackles guidance counselor shortage crisis

During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the staffing challenges faced by the Auburn Middle School (AMS) and the elementary schools regarding guidance counselors. Committee member Jay raised concerns about the insufficient number of guidance counselors at AMS, prompting a response from Dr. Dorris. He explained that the shortage was due to difficulties in finding qualified candidates for the positions. In light of this, the school administration has creatively allocated resources to address student needs.

At the middle school level, there is currently one guidance counselor and two social workers available to support students. For the elementary schools, which are smaller in size, a single guidance counselor is shared between both institutions. This arrangement aims to ensure that students receive the necessary support despite the staffing limitations.

The meeting also included a review of the minutes from the finance subcommittee, although no significant questions arose regarding the financial matters discussed. Additionally, there was no old or new business on the agenda, and the meeting concluded with a motion to enter into executive session to discuss labor contract negotiations between the Auburn School Committee and the Auburn Educational Support Personnel. The motion was unanimously approved, indicating a collaborative approach to addressing ongoing labor discussions.