FARMINGTON – The 2007-2008 budget for SAD 9 came down to a single vote on Tuesday. Due to the absence of five directors, a unanimous vote of 10 was needed to adopt the $23 million spending package so voters could approve it June 12.

The adoption, though, was not without controversy. The center of the dispute was the Adult Education program.

Up until this year, all revenue generated by Adult Education – it was $72,000 this year – was allocated to the general fund for K-12 education. However, due to massive cuts in the adult education budget by the state, the program needed an increase of $37,507 to retain all of its courses.

A motion by Vice Chairman Charisse Keach of Chesterville was made to appropriate the $37,507 from the general fund.

“It impacts a significant number of people in the community,” Superintendent Mike Cormier said in support of Adult Education. He cited the program’s ability to have tangible effects on the entire Franklin County community.

Neil Stinneford of Weld had a different view: not funding the $37,507. He noted Franklin County was donating only $22,000 to Adult Education, while the town of Weld would be on the hook for $26,000. “That is disproportionate,” he said.

The motion to take the money from the general fund eventually passed, as did the total $327,776 Adult Education budget.

After the vote, Stinneford voiced his displeasure in having to reach a unanimous vote in order to pass the budget. “I’m a little disappointed in our membership,” he said, referring to the absent directors.

Had the motion not passed, an increase of $37,507 in the Adult Education budget would have appeared on the June 12 ballot.

Directors also listened to the first reading of new graduation requirements for SAD 9. These new requirements, such as maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 70, would go into effect for the class of 2011. The modifications have been made, in most part, to comply with Maine’s system of Learning Results.

The board met at in the Mt. Blue High School library at 7 p.m. The next meeting will be at the same location Tuesday, May 15.