AUBURN -- None in the smattering of taxpayers who attended the Auburn Enlarged City School District's public budget hearing Tuesday night had questions about how funds will be spent next year.

Perhaps it was because superintendent John Plume and business administrator Marianne O'Connor broke down costs and revenues thoroughly -- by object, function and component -- via PowerPoint presentation. Pie charts and simplified language highlighted expenditures, cost trends and projections.

Perhaps when people heard they could download an online version of the Maroon Monthly newsletter -- containing budget highlights -- from the school district's Web site, it put questions, for the moment, to rest.

Next Tuesday, the district will ask taxpayers to vote on a proposed $59.16 million budget, up 6.76 percent from last year. The administration said that thanks to a $2.7 million increase in state funds -- representing more than half the district's revenue -- a projected 4.49 percent tax levy increase, and other revenues up 3.39 percent, the proposed budget can maintain current class sizes, add a curriculum supervisor for English and social studies, and help cover cost increases in BOCES instructional services. The district will cut four teacher's aide positions and consolidate staff among schools.

The budget and school board election are the only two items on which the district expects taxpayers to cast ballots. In the event the budget does not pass, Plume said, the district could adopt a $58.2 million contingency budget, which recommends cuts to -- among other items -- three teachers, the school resource officers, bus runs, summer school programs and athletic club activities.

For the full report, read Wednesday's edition of The Citizen.