JAY – About 100 voters moved quickly through school budget articles Monday night, endorsing a $10.2 million spending plan with few questions and little discussion.

The last article, approved 70-0, authorized the School Committee to spend the school and budget committee’s recommended $10,283,586, less $48,500 requested for payroll software, for a total of $10,235,086 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008.

This was the first of two required votes for proposed school budgets around the state this year.

A second vote will be held June 10 with a “yes” or “no” referendum budget validation vote between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Community Center polls.

“The meeting went really well,” said Mary Redmond-Luce, School Committee chairwoman.

An amount to finance administration, including the school board and superintendent’s office, was reduced from the recommended $314,681 to $266,181, or a $48,500 difference. Not certain about school consolidation, it was decided to hold off buying payroll software to share with SAD 36.

Addressing a question on whether the budget allowed enough to cover the rising costs of fuel for buses, Wall told voters the school system had not been able to lock in a price for diesel as they had done for oil but the figure was the best estimate. Some field trips had to be curtailed this year, and the school system may have to look at further restrictions, he said.