Auburn City Schools (ACS) has announced an extensive 10-year Facilities Master Plan aimed at accommodating the district’s rapid growth while modernizing its educational infrastructure. The $383 million initiative, approved by the Auburn Board of Education in January 2025, will fund multiple large-scale projects, including the construction of a second high school, a new middle school, and the rebuilding of two of the district’s oldest elementary schools—all without requiring new taxes.
One of the most significant developments in the plan is the addition of Plains High School, a $214 million investment located at Shug Jordan Parkway and North Donahue Drive. Scheduled to open in fall 2028, the new school will accommodate 2,200 students, alleviating overcrowding at Auburn High School, which is currently at capacity with 2,219 students. Once operational, both high schools will serve students in grades 9-12, replacing the existing system that separates freshmen.
The new school will also double student opportunities in athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular activities, ensuring more students can participate in career and technical programs, sports, and student organizations. ACS has engaged the community in selecting the school’s name, mascot, and colors, emphasizing public input in shaping its identity.
Alongside the second high school, ACS will construct a new middle school at William Buechner Parkway for grades 7-8, with a budget of $78.2 million. This facility, also expected to open in fall 2028, will be crucial in establishing a two-high-school feeder system.
Auburn Junior High School will receive an $18.6 million expansion, which includes additional classroom space and a new softball field to enhance student athletics.
The plan also calls for the demolition and reconstruction of Dean Road Elementary and Wrights Mill Road Elementary, two of the district’s oldest schools, originally built in the 1950s. Rather than renovating, ACS determined it was more cost-effective to rebuild these facilities entirely.
- Dean Road Elementary (K-2):
- Budget: $28 million
- Opening: Fall 2030
- Potential Relocation: ACS is considering moving the school across I-85 and merging it with Ogletree Elementary to accommodate growth.
- Wrights Mill Road Elementary (3-5):
- Budget: $28 million
- Opening: Fall 2030
- New Location: A city-owned plot adjacent to the current school will allow construction to proceed while keeping the existing school operational.
ACS is financing these projects through local revenue from the 16-mill Special School Tax, ensuring that no new taxes will be levied on residents. The plan allocates $17 million toward capital renewal for maintenance and facility upgrades, while $366.8 million is earmarked for new construction and renovations.
With student enrollment at 9,438 and expected to grow further, ACS remains committed to closely monitoring population trends to adjust project timelines accordingly.
The ACS 2035 Facilities Master Plan is a bold step toward ensuring Auburn’s education system keeps pace with its expanding community while preserving the high academic and extracurricular standards that define the district.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
