RUMFORD – SAD 43 directors delayed action on adopting a fiscal 2009 budget Monday night, instead setting a special meeting to finalize it Wednesday.

As proposed, voters would act on a $15,476,082 figure, up about 4.6 percent from this year’s $14.8 million.

The tentative figure includes cuts to educational programs that include the transitional grade one class, a guidance counselor at Mountain Valley Middle School, two high school teachers, a technology coordinator, a portion of the alternative education program, a study hall monitor at the high school, several educational technician positions, a special education teacher, and several paid coaching positions.

Also, substantial cuts would be made to the intercom systems at Rumford Elementary and Mountain Valley High schools, textbook purchases and kitchen repairs.

Board members could make further cuts, or replace items eliminated from the educational program when they meet Wednesday.

“The district has done a good job of holding the line, but now it will cost us more to maintain most of what we have,” Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said.

If the transitional grade one position is cut – it has served an average of 12 pupils at Rumford Elementary School – a new grade five teacher at Meroby Elementary School would take its place.

Elimination of a high school study hall monitor would result in students moved into the classroom, and the rotation of classes reduced from eight to seven, MVHS Principal Matt Gilbert said.

The special April 9 board meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the library of Mountain Valley High School.

In a related matter, the board was asked to consider eliminating its full-time director of buildings, grounds and transportation in favor of sharing the job with neighboring SAD 21. Hodgkin said if the board approves consolidating the position at its next regular meeting on April 28, SAD 21 buildings, grounds and transportation director Kenny Robbins would take over for both districts. His duties would be divided 55 percent for SAD 43 and 45 percent for SAD 21.

SAD 43’s director, Tom Sinclair, was appointed to the head custodial position at Rumford Elementary School for school year 2008-2009 at Monday’s meeting.

Sharing the administrative position, if approved, would be the third cooperative effort by SAD 43. It shares its directors of special education and of nutrition services with SAD 44 in Bethel.