RUMFORD – Residents of SAD 43 will act on a proposed $14.3 million budget at a districtwide meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 3. They will then have a chance to validate a final figure at referendum June 8.

But first, a public informational hearing to explain the various components of the proposed budget will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 1.

Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said the meeting will give voters a chance to understand how the board arrived at the proposed figure, and to ask questions. He will make a presentation, then open it up for questions. He emphasized that no vote will be taken that night.

On June 3, residents will have a chance to discuss each major item in the overall proposed budget. At this time, a majority vote of those attending can modify the proposed figures such as $8 million for instruction, $1.5 million for instructional support, or $1.6 million for operations. Each of the separate money articles add up to $14.3 million.

Once residents have determined a final budget figure at the June 3 meeting, that figure will be on the ballot in all four towns during the June 8 primary election. Voters will decide whether to validate, or confirm, that figure, or vote it down. They will also have a chance to vote on whether they think the proposed budget figure is too high or too low.

If residents turn down the budget at referendum, then the proposed budget would go back to the school board for another look. Hodgkin said the whole process of reaching a proposed budget would then begin again, at least 10 days after the referendum vote. This procedure would include a public informational hearing, a districtwide vote and a referendum validation vote.

He said that although the proposed budget is up 4.4 percent from this year’s operating budget of $13.7 million, the tax liability for three of the four member towns will decline slightly because of higher than expected state aid to education and additional revenues such as Medicaid reimbursement. Only Byron’s share will increase slightly.

The proposed 2004-2005 budget is higher than last year’s for a variety of reasons, including an average 2 percent salary hike for district employees, increased health insurance premiums, and the addition of six special education technician positions, two computer technician positions, and an assistant special education director. One regular elementary education position was eliminated through attrition.

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