MECHANIC FALLS – The Union 29 superintendent’s office budget will be 6 percent lower next year thanks to an internal restructuring plan approved by the school committee Thursday night.

The net result of the restructuring means two fewer positions on the central office staff. Superintendent Dennis Duquette said he continues to look for cost efficiencies in the management and operation of union services.

Eliminated were two administrative assistant positions, the assistant superintendent and the operations director. Those job losses were offset, however, by creating new jobs for a business manager and a curriculum coordinator.

The committee also approved a budget for the union’s special education office that is 8 percent higher than this year.

The increase occurs primarily in special education transportation. Fuel costs are way up, and the committee approved a one-time 16 percent increase in bus drivers’ salaries, putting them on par with salaries for regular education bus drivers.

The committee agreed to share expenses for the superintendent’s and special education offices with Poland paying 59.4 percent, Mechanic Falls 20.4 percent and Minot 20.2 percent of the cost. Expenses are divided according to a formula based on 40 percent student enrollment and 60 percent town property valuation.

The committee took no action on a proposal for beginning a preschool program for 4-year-olds.

The program, described by Special Education Director Barbara Hasenfus and Elm Street School Principal Mary Martin, would serve 18 students, six from each union town, and would be based at the Elm Street School.

The program would be conducted in close alliance with the existing 18 student tri-town Head Start program and with Child Development Services, bringing the total served to 36.

Of the 18 additional students, about six children will be selected from the Child Development Services caseload and the other 12 children will be selected by lottery. At present, Head Start children are not transported but with the expanded program, all 36 children would be transported.

While the exact amount of the startup cost that Child Development Services is expected to pick up is unknown, startup costs for each of the three towns is estimated at about $20,000.

Committee members expressed reservation about the startup costs, but, supporting the program in concept, agreed to consider the program during each town’s regular school budget process for next year.

Jack Wiseman of Mechanic Falls was elected to serve as Union 29 School Committee chairman for next year and Steve Holbrook of Minot was elected vice chairman.