DIXFIELD – The SAD 21 board is facing a lot of “what ifs” and unanswered questions as they begin the development of the 2008-2009 operating budget.

One thing’s for sure: Things are tight, costs are going up, and SAD 21 will be looking for ways to cut expenses and share services while considering the introduction of a new pre-K program.

Just how much more next year’s budget will be over this year’s $10.6 million won’t be known until the amount of state aid is determined and cuts are made, said Superintendent Tom Ward.

Also to be considered is the state’s reduction in helping to pay for central office and transportation costs.

Affecting the bottom line are built-in increases for things such as salaries, health insurance and the Region 9 School of Applied Technology construction project, which when compared to projected savings on the end of tuition payment to SAD 43 and the elimination of most modular classrooms, comes to about $300,000.

With the new Dirigo Elementary School scheduled to open in the fall, at least 1.5 new custodian/bus driver/grounds positions are needed. And if the board approves a new pre-K program for 4-year-olds, a new teacher would be hired. Ward is also looking at increasing the number of literacy specialists to two from one.

Whether there will be a reduction in existing staff is not known. The board plans to take up that matter at its April 14 meeting.

With SAD 21 discussing an administrative merger with neighboring SAD 43 and SAD 39, Ward said he will look to them for possible sharing of personnel as a way to save some money.

Another factor affecting the development of this year’s budget is the proposed cuts in Medicaid. Ward said his district generally receives about $100,000. What that figure will be is not known now.

The board will take up aspects of budget development during the next few weeks.

Ward isn’t sure if voters will OK the final proposed budget at a districtwide town meeting-style vote, as it has been in the past, or by referendum. The vote will likely come in May or June.