OXFORD – Town officials will meet with SAD 17 administrators at the end of the month to begin the hearing process for the fiscal 2009 budget.

Very preliminary numbers indicate new projects and program expansions may be in jeopardy, and there may be a need for a reduction in personnel. But the figures also show money may be available for security upgrades, new windows and the continuation of the elementary foreign language program.

Officials from the eight SAD 17 towns will meet at 7 p.m. March 26 at the Guy E. Rowe School in Norway when they’ll be given a proposed budget that shows an increase in expenses of $1.8 million and a reduction of MaineCare reimbursements of $300,000, a figure that school officials call “significant.”

Superintendent Mark Eastman outlined a preliminary budget to directors last week. Additional reductions are anticipated in transportation, special education, facilities and district administration.

Although last year’s budget was set at $35.4 million, no budget number has been set for the coming fiscal year, which begins on July 1.

“We’re a long way from that,” Business Manager Cathy Fanjoy said Friday.

The expenditure outlook shows health insurance costs increasing by 10 percent, or $250,000; electricity, diesel fuel and heating oil costs increasing by 40 percent, or $170,000. The negotiated cost-of-living increases for staff are estimated to be $750,000.

Eastman said that although figures are changing all the time, at this point it appears that any program expansions or new projects are in jeopardy, and some personnel reductions are likely but still being reviewed.

Grant funding to offset state and federal cuts are being actively pursued, he noted.

The preliminary budget does contain money to continue the elementary foreign language program and pay the 60 percent that is SAD 17’s share of the assistant superintendent’s salary. It also provides money for security upgrades at the middle and high school, and funds for window replacement at the Agnes Gray School in West Paris.

School officials will also hold budget hearings with each town in April before directors vote on the final budget and put it before voters in June.