DIXFIELD – Budget work took priority over contract negotiations at a special SAD 21 board meeting Monday night at Dirigo High School.

Superintendent Thomas Ward said Tuesday afternoon that directors listened to needs in transportation and maintenance from Kenny Robbins, ones in technology from Timothy Kelly, and extracurricular needs from Jeff Turnbull. Ward also detailed other staff requests.

In addition to the budget workshop, directors were to take action on two contracts, and get an update from the architect hired to design the district’s new 300-pupil elementary school.

They got the update, but work on the contracts was tabled to the board’s next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, March 20.

The first contract was to be presented by new school architect Lyndon Keck of Portland Design Team in Portland, for the remainder of the project.

Ward said Keck didn’t yet have the contract ready.

The second contract was to be discussed in executive session, because it involved negotiations on administration, specialists and classified salaries.

But, Ward said, they ran out of time.