Plans to renovate Auburn Middle School, with the ultimate goal of bringing sixth-graders to the building, were presented to the Auburn School Committee last week.

If there are no delays, the construction to add new space would be completed by August 2028.

The school board will host a community forum to discuss the proposal on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. at the middle school. A second forum with be held in late October.

Adding the city’s sixth-graders to the building would add 50% to the school’s student body. Stephen Fraser, a senior architect for Harriman, a design firm in Auburn, showed the board concept plans on how Auburn Middle School would change.

The change would create space and flexibility in the city’s elementary schools. Authorities said the proposal does not include plans to close any of those elementary schools, although that could change after the sixth graders are moved.

“This move may allow for consolidation in the future, but the focus right now is on exploring grade 6 at Auburn Middle School,” Superintendent Susan Dorris said Monday. “A 6-8 model would strengthen curriculum alignment, build stronger relationships, and expand opportunities for students. Future decisions about building use will be guided by the Facilities Master Plan and our commitment to student success, fiscal responsibility, and community partnership.”

Major changes envisioned at the middle school include building three new classrooms in the left wing, renovating all the bathrooms, building a more secure entrance, replacing the roof membrane and adding a science classroom so there would be nine in the school — three for each grade.

Auburn officials began exploring the issue in 2024, Assistant Superintendent Scott Annear said. An advisory committee for the Auburn Middle School, formed in 2025, met monthly with Harriman to devise a plan.

Among the issues that were discussed were concept, timeline and the scope of the work, Annear said.

Once construction starts, Fraser and his team estimated that it would take 16 months to complete.

Initially time would be needed for schematic design and cost estimate, which is ongoing now. Then another nine months would be needed for design development and bid documents before construction can start.

If the renovations begin in April 2027, the school would be ready to open for the fall of 2028, Fraser said.

“I don’t think we could do it in one summer and one school year,” Fraser said.

He said adding three classrooms to the left wing makes the most sense. Originally designed for shop classes, the first floor is underutilized and will receive extensive renovations.

One new classroom is planned for the first floor and the other two would be built on the second floor, utilizing the slope of the land.

No dollar figure was discussed, but state funds are unlikely to be available to help pay for the project.