RUMFORD – Tentative plans to adopt a new SAD 43 budget Monday night were delayed until the board has a chance to hold another budget workshop.

The decision to table came following a presentation by the district’s four media specialists, also known as librarians, to maintain the existing level of service, another decision by the superintendent to hold a discussion about the soon-to-be-vacated special education director position in closed session, and an announcement by building, grounds and transportation director Tim Gallant that he had received a letter late last week stating that his position was being eliminated.

Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said that a second closed session would be held at the end of the open portion of the meeting Monday to discuss regionalization and consolidation.

Hodgkin, SAD 21 Superintendent Tom Ward and SAD 44 Superintendent David Murphy have been discussing possible ways to share services for several months.

Special education director Diane Taylor-Moore submitted her resignation effective at the end of the school year last month. The district has not advertised the position.

Gallant has been with the district for five years. The position of assistant director of buildings, grounds and transportation was eliminated a few months ago.

The board has aimed to present a proposed 2007-2008 budget about 3.65 percent higher than this year’s operating budget of $14.3 million to voters in June.

To do this, a proposal made at the previous board meeting called for eliminating one librarian, four educational technicians, several coaching positions and one special education teacher.

However, virtually all teachers, educational technicians and other support staff in the district’s fours schools signed a petition asking that most of the positions be restored.

In addition to plans to go into closed door sessions to discuss the special education director position and regionalization, the board also entered a closed session to take up a legal matter.

Also on Monday, the board approved a two-day Appalachian Trail hike for the Mountain Valley High School physical education leadership class. The board also approved transportation to and from the beginning and ending points of the 20-mile hike. Nine students and at least two teachers will take part in the wilderness experience May 17-19.

It accepted the resignation of longtime high school English teacher William St. John.

It appointed Tom Sinclair as the head custodian at the central office. He was the former assistant director of buildings, grounds and transportation.