LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 Superintendent Terry Despres unveiled his proposed 2004/05 budget to directors Thursday night, setting the bottom line at $7.86 million.

He will seek the board’s budget approval in a special session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by a joint session with officials from Livermore and Livermore Falls at 6:30.

After formal acceptance the board can set a date for the public hearing necessary before the June 8 referendum vote and Despres will be able to put the budget booklet together, he said.

Balancing increases in salaries and health insurance, Despres sees $43,000 in savings in transportation when the district goes to a one-run system next fall.

He would also like to try a different type of food service, one run by a management company using local employees.

He has checked out schools using nutritional services that run in the black rather than having an annual deficit as the district does now. “If this continues, we’ll have a $50,000 loss each year,” he warned.

Despres is looking at food services as an area where regional management might work. “We can save money by not duplicating efforts, where it doesn’t affect the kids,” he said.

Other major changes will be seen at the Middle School where there will be fewer people in the building and the guidance counselor will be dean of students.

At the high school, the role of athletic director will have to change to be in line with essential programs and services guidelines, Despres said. “We treat our sports very well,” he stated as he reviewed a budget of $178,125 for co-curricular next year.

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