We, along with Auburn school officials, are puzzled by the negligible turnout for public input opportunities within the last month. A disappointingly small handful of voters turned out for an open forum last month. Then, last Tuesday, no one asked questions of the board or superintendent following a budget presentation by school district business manager Marianne O'Connor.

Is this year's budget that lock-tight perfect?

Or does anyone care?

The total number of people casting a ballot in Auburn's annual school budget vote has dropped each year since 2001, when nearly 5,181 showed up at the polls. Last year, only 3,191 district residents voted on the budget proposition. And if these last two opportunities for public input are any indication, we expect turnout figures to continue their skid.

Maybe it's because there are no contentious or colorful school board races, no controversial proposals, nor a major tax levy proposed. With a current school board that generally supports all that they are presented by superintendent John Plume, there is little critical introspection of the budget.

We support this year's Auburn school budget. We believe the superintendent and board are being fiscally responsible by proposing a reasonable tax levy that covers rising expenses and also factors in some important additions over the last few years, like the school resource officers. We are concerned - as is the board - that improvements to our children's education can't come quick enough, that Auburn's standardized test scores still need improvement, and that librarians and a curriculum advisor remain on the wish list.

We hope you'll support this year's Auburn school budget.

But, in light of exceptionally little community feedback this last month, we hope you'll at least head to the polls and express your opinion on this year's proposal.