FARMINGTON – The SAD 9 school board will hold its traditional budget meeting Thursday, May 22, so that the public can vote on 12 previously proposed budget items.

The meeting will be at the Mt. Blue High School cafeteria at 7 p.m.

“Voters can approve the proposed amount, or vote for a decrease,” said Superintendent Michael Cormier.

The proposed budget for the fiscal 2009 school year came in at $23.9 million, which is $47,000 less than this year’s budget.

Students in the SAD 9 district will be sent home this week with a 4-page budget review paper that explains the 12 articles to be voted on. Voters can also pick one up at the district office.

After the articles are voted on, a referendum validation open to the public will follow on Wednesday, May 28. The referendum validation will be one item, and it will be a “yes” or “no” vote at local town polling places.

Cormier said that he hopes that “people will take the opportunity to take part in this process.”