AUBURN — Resource police officers in the city’s schools will be safe, councilors agreed Monday as they sent the proposed school budget on to voters.

But some councilors and residents were critical of the tone of the school budget debate.

“I’m a little frustrated with what seems to be some cynicism from the schools, but it’s cynicism we invite when we impose rigid 1.8 percent rules,” Councilor Adam Lee said. “I feel like there was not a very good conversation on either side this year and I hope both sides can actually have a meaningful discussion about these things next year.”

School officials approved their $39 million budget last week. It closes the Auburn Land Lab, reduces facilities maintenance and cuts the Discovery Education program, a technology integrator position and four school resource police officers to keep a proposed tax increase under 1.8 percent compared to the current fiscal year.

That 1.8 percent tax ceiling is set by city ordinance, and councilors have said many times this year they are serious about staying under that limit.

Voters will get their say on the school budget at the polls June 9.

School Committee Chairman Tom Kendall said the budget is too low, even though it has the committee’s support. Based on that budget, Auburn pays $9,997 per student, or $2,057 below the statewide average.

“There is a capacity in Auburn to fund education at a higher level, to start to change the direction Auburn has taken in funding education for the purpose of bringing economic development,” Kendall said.

Councilors spoke in favor of the budget because it stayed at the 1.8 percent limit.

Councilors voted 5-2 to approve the budget. The only issue was the four police officers who work in the city’s elementary, middle and high schools.

Councilor Belinda Gerry said they are important to the school and argued for including them.

“Do we need all four?” Gerry said. “I don’t know, but I don’t know if I really want to take the chance. Their job is very different from what they did in the past.”

However, she and Councilor Leroy Walker voted against the budget, saying they wanted the school to stay under the 1.8 percent limit and pay for the police officers.

Howard Kroll, acting city manager, said the city has room in the budget to fund $170,000 for the resource officers while staying under the 1.8 percent limit.

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