s the Auburn school district prepares for a public referendum on a proposed capital project, we've been taken aback by repeated references by school officials about how the project would mean a boost for local employment.

At this point, we haven't seen enough about the proposal to decide if it should be supported or not, but what we want to hear are more details about what, specifically, the money would be used for.

The school district had a public information session on the capital project this week. Another is scheduled for Nov. 19. Giving people a chance to ask questions - and hopefully get clear answers - is a smart way to proceed.

But if this proposal is truly a “no frills, no bells and whistles infrastructure project,” as Superintendent J.D. Pabis has said it is, there should be no need to try to convince people that there are any other reasons for approving it.

Pabis points out that past school projects have utilized local contractors for plumbing, electric and roofing, among other jobs, and that the district tries to hire local contractors whenever possible.

A capital project could, indeed, mean some work for local contractors, but it's not the mission of the school system to try to create jobs in the first place. Top-quality work at the lowest cost should be the bottom line.

Whether it's state aid or direct payments by local residents, it's all taxpayer money, and the focus of spending it should be solely on health, safety and education for the district.

Telling people that a vote for the capital project is a vote for local jobs is a bit underhanded.

This project is either vital for the educational mission of the school district or it isn't - that's the only question that matters.

The school board needs to drop job creation as a selling point for this project.