DIXFIELD – Residents of the 12 towns that make up the newly created Western Foothills School District approved their first-ever budget by more than a 2-1 ratio.

The $34.1 million budget was passed by a vote of 1,411 to 643.

“Everyone worked hard on this; that was reflective of the economy,” Superintendent Tom Ward said. “I always like to have more people vote for the budget, but I was hoping for a 2-1 (ratio).”

Byron was the only town not reporting in late Tuesday night.

Of the 11 that did, three towns voted against the budget: Buckfield, 26-29; Sumner, 9-19; and Roxbury, 9-23.

Other results were: Canton, 29-5; Carthage, 15-4; Dixfield, 49-24; Peru, 110-83; Mexico, 271-120; Rumford, 764-268; Hartford, 114-65; and Hanover, 15-3.

The three member districts – SAD 21 based in Dixfield, SAD 43 in Rumford and SAD 39 in Buckfield – officially end on June 30. The new district, also known as Regional School Unit 10, becomes official on July 1.

The adopted budget is slightly lower than the combined budgets of the three districts for fiscal year 2008-09. The new budget eliminates several positions and consolidates three central offices, which was estimated to save about $600,000.

Ward expects further savings will be found the longer the three districts work under one administration. Because of the economic downturn, he had said that regionalization could not have come at a better time.

The new merged district comprises four elementary schools, three high schools, three middle schools, a behavioral learning center and a central office. It serves 3,000 students and employs about 600 support and professional staff.