DIXFIELD – A $10 million budget for SAD 21 was overwhelmingly approved Monday night by about 40 voters from Dixfield, Canton, Carthage and Peru.

The money will pay for operations in fiscal 2008, which begins July 1.

Superintendent Tom Ward said it was particularly difficult drawing up the spending plan.

“Next year could be even more difficult,” he said, referring to the major building and renovation project at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology. “But who knows, with regionalization. I’ll be very busy this summer with discussions on what regionalization means and which district we will partner with.”

Voters approved the $10 million operating budget, plus almost $600,000 for the first payment on the elementary school being built in Peru. Ward said the state will make the entire payment, but state law requires that it appear on the ballot.

SAD 21 teacher Charlie Maddaus attempted to add about $3,000 under additional local funds to continue the cross-country program at Dirigo High School, where Monday’s vote was held.

During the budget development process, the board had eliminated the stipend coaching position.

Maddaus’ attempts were ruled out of order by meeting moderator David Austin. He said that according to moderator guides, if a warrant lists a specific number, then that number cannot be raised. Town clerks from two of the district’s member towns confirmed Austin’s decision after the vote.

Ward said later that he plans to discuss the wording of warrant articles with the Portland law firm of Drummond and Woodsum.

Included in the approved budget was $93,000 for a new school bus. Ward said the district operates about 17 buses and tries to replace one each year. Another $380,000 was raised as the district’s share for Region 9 and $44,500 for adult and community education,

Ward said additional state aid to education just about covered the $400,000 the district needs to meet fixed costs for staff salaries and utilities.

Eight professional positions were eliminated to keep the budget at less than a 3 percent increase over this year’s. The actual increase over the budget for 2006-2007 came in at 2.2 percent. The people holding all but one of the positions had either decided to retire or move onto other jobs. The eighth was a technology support position.

Ward said the district was fortunate that the people holding the eliminated positions were in areas where the student population has changed.

SAD 21 has just under 1,000 students. Ward said he expects fewer when the new school year begins in the fall.