OXFORD – A preliminary fiscal 2008 budget was unveiled Monday night to SAD 17 directors, but Superintendent Mark Eastman warned members that final numbers are not available.

“We don’t know very much at this point. We don’t know the numbers as well as we’d like to,” said Eastman, referring to missing state budget figures.

This is the third year school districts have been funded under the Maine’s Essential Programs and Services formula. Eastman said in the fiscal 2008 budget, SAD 17 should be financed at 95 percent of the state’s goal to contribute 55 percent of local education costs by 2009 under the governor’s plan.

But the final state contribution number is still being tweaked by the Legislature’s education committee this week, Eastman said.

The proposed preliminary fiscal 2008 budget shows an increase of funding in some areas, such as special education services, but decreases in other areas.

Last year, the district had about a $34 million budget to spend on the 11 schools and the adult education programs. Each town in the district has its own elementary school and the district shares one middle and one high school, both in Paris.

Eastman said staff professional development has been cut $36,000, and funding for No Child Left Behind, the federal education legislation, will be reduced.

On the positive side, Eastman said the district will see a savings of sorts in the health insurance budget line item. Officials budgeted the item based on a 15 percent increase in costs, while the actual increase is only 8.8 percent. Use of electricity and fuel is down by 20 percent but rising energy costs may override that benefit, Eastman said.

He said other savings will be seen because both the Madison and Fox schools were taken off line with the construction of the new Paris Elementary School. The portable classrooms have been paid off. Those classrooms will be moved to Otisfield under the proposed budget. Funding to move the gym floor from the Madison Avenue School to the Harrison Elementary School is also in the budget.

Funding will continue for elementary foreign language program. Funds are also in the budget for a one-half time assistant superintendent.

Eastman said the Budget Committee will continue to review the budget, final adjustments to the staff will be made to meet budget expectations and school officials will meet with town officials to discuss the budget.

Once state numbers are released, Eastman said school officials will review them to ensure they are fair and accurate.