AUBURN — From an 11-year-old student to an 83-year-old resident, people asked the School Committee on Wednesday night not to cut library staff and other student services and to push for a bigger budget that maintains programs.

No one attending the hearing asked for cuts to keep taxes in check.

The School Committee is faced with recommending one of three budget options to the City Council, which will decide which budget to send to voters for the June 14 referendum.

Committee members favor Superintendent Katy Grondin’s $41 million budget, which would maintain programs and add a few positions. That budget would mean an annual tax increase of about $123 a year on a home valued at $150,000.

Committee members looked at recommending a $40 million budget, which would mean a tax increase of about $67 a year on a $150,000 property. That budget would mean cutting library staff, summer school, a technology integrator and other support services.

A third option is increasing the budget at no more than the rate of inflation, as spelled out in the city charter, which would “devastate” Auburn schools, Grondin said. It would mean closing school libraries, cutting back on art and music and physical education, and having no high school aspirations specialist.

“Do we go down the road of mediocrity or down the road of excellence?” Grondin asked after outlining the choices.

Charlotte Levasseur, 11, who attends Park Avenue Elementary School, said she understands there’s a need to make cuts but protested the idea of losing library staffer Diane Mawhinney.

“We love her, and she loves her job,” Levasseur said. Good library programs improve student achievement, she said. “Are you really thinking about taking our time (with her) away?”

Charlotte’s mother, Amie Levasseur, said when her daughter found out about the cut she started a petition.

As he spoke for a bigger school budget, Ralph Tuttle said he was probably the oldest in the room at age 83.

“I went to Auburn schools starting in 1938 and graduated from Edward Little in 1950,” he said.

He called the tax increase for the larger budget “small change” compared to what a new high school could cost. He said he appreciates that he got a good education and hopes that continues for today’s youth.

Lisa Mayer said she and her husband, Rabbi Sruli Dresdner, moved from New York City to Auburn and feel lucky that their children attend a good public school with libraries, art and music. Nobody will want to come to Auburn “unless the schools are excellent,” she said.

Mayer said she hopes “a proper budget” passes.

Josh Caron said his son attends Washburn Elementary School, and he and his wife moved to Auburn because it’s a special city and he’s proud to live in it.

“We felt something here; you can feel it in the walls of this building,” he said. “It’s clean. It’s beautiful.” People care about each other, he said.

Typically, he does not attend meetings, he said.

“When I found out what sort of things are being considered, I’m concerned,” Caron said.

Like others, he asked that libraries and other programs not be cut.

Catherine Creighton said she has two children who attend Park Avenue Elementary School. She said she was glad to hear School Committee members favor Grondin’s budget that would maintain programs.

“So what can we as a community do to help you guys get that in front of the council and make it happen?” she asked. Paying 46 cents a day more in taxes for better schools “is nothing,” she said. “It’s half a cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.”

Creighton and others were encouraged by School Committee Chairman Tom Kendall to email city councilors and to attend meetings and share their thoughts.

Committee member Bonnie Hayes said people also should talk to their neighbors and vote at the June 14 school budget referendum.

City Councilor James Pross, the mayor’s representative on the School Committee, said he agreed that school programs should not be cut. He cautioned that there are seniors and those on disabilities who would be hurt by tax increases, that there are a vocal few who attend meetings to protest higher taxes.

The School Committee will meet with the City Council on Monday night for a 5:30 p.m. workshop, then a 7 p.m. meeting at Auburn Hall.

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