DIXFIELD — Residents of the 12-town Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 will have three chances to learn about the proposed $34.1 million budget for 2011-12 at public informational meetings next week.

On June 9, a district-wide, town meeting-style vote will be taken prior to a referendum vote to validate the budget on June 14.

The proposed budget is the same as the figure that was adopted for the past two school years. However, because of the loss of federal stimulus money, and an increase in property valuation, together with increased costs for fuel, utilities, contract agreements and health care premiums, resident are asked to raise an additional $629,000 so the district can receive its share of state aid for the district’s 2,850 students.

To arrive at the $34.1 million figure, about 10 positions were eliminated and staff has agreed to take three unpaid furlough days.

Several positions were also eliminated during the current school year.

The share of local school taxes has increased in every member town except Hanover and Roxbury.

Public informational meetings are scheduled for:

* Dixfield, 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 6, at Dirigo High School;

* Buckfield, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, at the Town Office;

* Mexico, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, at the Town Hall.

At 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at Dirigo High School, residents from the three regions of RSU 10 will vote on the proposed budget. Then, residents will validate the June 9 decision at referendum at polling places in each member town.

Voting hours and places are:

* Buckfield, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Buckfield Municipal Center;

* Byron, noon to 8 p.m., Town Office;

*Canton, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Town Office;

* Carthage, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Town Office;

* Dixfield, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Swassey Torrey American Legion Hall;

* Hanover, noon to 6 p.m., Town Office;

* Hartford, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Hall;

* Mexico, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Hall;

* Peru, noon to 7 p.m., Town Office;

* Roxbury, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Office;

* Rumford, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., American Legion Post 24;

* Sumner, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Office.

If the budget is not adopted, the RSU 10 board must act on a new budget and the approval process will be repeated.