In four days the voters in the Auburn school district will have another chance to state their views on whether or not a non-modified spending plan being re-submitted should get thumbs up. Depending on the margin of victory or defeat this may be a clear referendum on the board and its management team.

Voter turnout will likely far surpass the roughly 16 percent of those eligible to vote who went to the polls three weeks ago. This can be attributed to several simple reasons. First and foremost, those who took for granted that the first $64.4 million plan would go through without a problem were shocked that voters narrowly rejected it. So, expect some categories of supporters to be energized.

For example, parents who are concerned about the under-discussed and explained impact of what a contingency budget means will likely see their numbers jump. The same will go for district personnel for a variety of reasons. Several members of the Auburn staff were embarrassed after the last vote when it came to light that some of those (at least three at one school) residing in the district didn't go to the polls.

A question has been raised about how the district, specifically Superintendent J.D. Pabis, addressed some teachers last week on the subject of voting when Pabis raised the issue that who votes is a public record. One teacher took it as a “big brother” approach in which the district would not look kindly on those who did not go to vote. Another teacher took it just the opposite way, that it was a warning to teachers that critics would be snooping to see who went to the polls. Whether it was seen as intimidation in the former or encouragement of the latter we may never know.

Just as supporters are likely to be energized, so will opponents and critics who still want to send a strong anti-tax, anti-establishment and/or anti-personality message. The big question will be whether they can generate more than 1,414 that were cast in the negative last month, which they will need to do if more budget supporters go out.

For some, the decision is based on the district not doing what other districts with defeated budgets did - make cuts. On this front the district was “damned if they did and damned if they didn't.” Board members are criticized by critics who say they were arrogant to not cut anything. They would also likely be criticized if they did make cuts, with these same critics saying, “See, the district could have cut spending.” This was likely a no-win situation for the district.

If the budget passes or fails by large numbers, it will be a clear referendum on the board and its administrative leadership, no matter what spin the losing side puts on the results come Tuesday.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com