LEWISTON - The Lewiston and Auburn school systems could receive millions more next year, projections released Tuesday by the Maine Department of Education show.

The state offered school districts two funding estimates.

In "Scenario A" - Gov. John Baldacci's proposed budget - state taxpayers would spend $80 million more on education next year. Lewiston would receive about $2.8 million more; Auburn $1.4 million more.

Most school districts would receive more, but not enough to cover costs without cutbacks, and 52 districts would get less money, the department said.

In "Scenario B" - Baldacci's budget with changes by state legislators - the state would spend about $63 million more. Lewiston would get about $2.6 million more, Auburn $1.2 million more. Most districts would receive smaller increases, and 60 districts would get less.

The state is releasing the second plan because it's unclear if legislators will support Baldacci's call to boost cigarette taxes, which could impact state revenue, and consolidate school administration.

For Lewiston-Auburn homeowners, it's not known what the extra education money will mean to taxes, but Lewiston school Superintendent Leon Levesque cautioned the cash comes with a condition.

According to a state formula, Lewiston has been underspending on education. If Lewiston doesn't spend more next year, it stands to lose $2 for every $1 it receives from the state, Levesque said.

The idea of the state Essential Program and Services funding formula is to cap schools spending too much, and help systems not spending enough, with the goal that all Maine children have equal educational opportunities.

Lewiston is a system "way behind in spending," Levesque said. Last year the state statistics showed the city should have spent $14.5 million on education instead of the $13.18 million spent. Meanwhile Lewiston's valuation has increased, which places higher expectations on local taxpayers to support education, he said.

Auburn Superintendent Barbara Eretzian said she has "to go cautious" with school budgeting. Either of the state's projected increase for Auburn, $1.2 million or $1.4 million, would not cover the 5 percent raise needed to maintain programs, or $1.6 million, Eretzian said.

"This is a workshop budget," she said. "We need more information on these numbers. At this point, there's no estimate" on what will be asked of taxpayers, she said.

State Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said Tuesday she recommends school districts budget conservatively, especially in light of projections that state income will be less than expected.

In recent years, state taxpayer money for education has grown dramatically, but that will change in the next year or two, said education department spokesman David Connerty-Marin.

"The increases will level off and will be smaller. They won't keep up with increasing costs of education. So we need to find ways to provide high-quality education" while slowing costs.

That's why Baldacci is proposing to cut administration, Connerty-Marin said. The education system that exists "is not sustainable."