MECHANIC FALLS — Officials from the Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland school system made an appeal Wednesday night for ideas for dealing with what they termed a dire budget situation.

About 70 officials from Regional School Unit 16, along with officers from the three towns and members of the public attended the meeting at the town hall.

School Superintendent Dennis Duquette said the $320,000 cuts made in this year’s budget is only the beginning. The next fiscal year, which begins July 1, will see a further reduction of at least $800,000 in state aid at a time when the school system is obligated to pay an additional $575,000 in wage and benefits, he said.

“I know all three towns are in economic difficulty. We’ve got to find ways to help our schools stay strong,” Duquette said.

He noted in the last three years school officials have cut 32 teachers, seven education technicians and 15 other support personnel.

In the latest round of cuts, the final $175,000 was achieved by all existing personnel taking four furlough days without pay.

Duquette said that in order to meet anticipated cuts in the coming fiscal year everything is on the table. Some items being looked at are: cutting between 15 and 20 teaching positions, closing the central administration office, and looking into establishing a single middle school for the three towns.

Not a hand went up when School Committee Chairman Dave Griffiths of Mechanic Falls asked if there was any support for increasing town property taxes in order to make up some of the difference.

Selectman Eda Tripp of Minot recounted how she is seeing many homes that once had two persons working are now having to get by with just one.

“We just can’t raise property taxes,” Tripp said.

Poland Town Manager Dana Lee said that town is working on a budget that is 9 percent less than this year’s. Mechanic Falls  Town Manager John Hawley said they’re looking at a budget that is down 12 percent.

Lee said that a number of years ago he led an effort to pass a referendum requiring the state to provide 55 percent of the cost for education. He noted that is now down to about 42 percent and in violation of the law the referendum established.

He called Gov. John Baldacci’s boast that he has been able to keep taxes down “a crock.”

Addressing two members of the state Legislature present, Lee added, “You are abdicating your responsibilities and show a lack of political courage.”

A number of parents present spoke of the need of maintaining quality education.

“At the state level, education has to be the No. 1 priority,” Emily Tuttle said.

“We’re in agreement that we don’t want a second rate school system,” Duquette said.

The School Committee will meet Monday, Feb. 1, and schedule more community discussions. Six members of the committee have been charged with formulating a budget that will show what sort of programs the department will have if it goes through with a $1.4 million cut. That budget will be due March 1.