LIVERMORE FALLS – The state has informed SAD 36 officials that it will cover much of the cost for four projects, including repairing the high school’s roof.

Besides the roof, district officials also will be able to upgrade electrical work at the high school and middle schools, and replace some doors at the high school, board Vice Chairman Fred Nadeau of Livermore Falls said Friday.

SAD 36 would be responsible for repaying 30 percent of the cost, and the state will pay 70 percent plus interest, Nadeau said.

Directors approved applying for the funding in December.

“This is great news. The big piece of that is we can make needed electrical improvements to the middle school,” Nadeau said.

“Hopefully this will all come together so the work can begin in June or July,” he said.

First they’ll have to go through the process of filling out an application with the Maine Bond Bank to get the loan, and then put the project out to bid.

While that was the good news Thursday night, directors also learned they are looking at a $300,000 reduction in state funding for the 2008-09 education budget. The district is also feeling the impact of higher energy costs, including heating oil and diesel fuel, board Chairman Ashley O’Brien of Livermore said.

Between those two issues, the district is looking at about a $450,000 to $500,000 hole in the budget, he said.

“However, we are ultra-sensitive to the plight of our taxpayers and (Superintendent Terry Despres) and I think the board is committed to at least keeping the mill rate to the towns at least the same as last year,” O’Brien said.

The district has been able to drop the education tax rate for the taxpayers of Livermore and Livermore Falls for several years in a row, he said.

Since fiscal 2003, the tax rate for education has been reduced from $14.67 per $1,000 of property valuation, to $10.55 per $1,000 of valuation.

“We’ll find ways to tighten the belt without adversely affecting students,” O’Brien said. “That’s what we’re there for, and we need to do as much as we can do for kids while recognizing the burden on taxpayers.”