HARTFORD — RSU 10 Superintendent Tom Ward told selectmen Thursday night that $2.6 million has been saved since the school district was formed three years ago.

“We evaluated every vacated position to see how that job was needed and we cut 65 positions,” Ward said. Administrators also consolidated transportation and brought back five positions due to higher enrollment.

The district has also saved $300,000 on oil because of competitive bidding, he said.

RSU 10 was formed from SADs 39, 43 and 21 and includes 12 towns: Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford and Hanover.

Ward said he attended a meeting Wednesday and learned the state is looking at a $400 million shortfall, so it’s likely education funding will be cut.

He did offer a little hope, saying property values are finally coming down, so the RSU 10 total valuation will drop and the state should give more, if there is any to give.

Selectman Jack Plumley questioned the emphasis on technology in school.

“Our kids will be left behind in today’s world if we don’t offer them the latest,” Ward responded. “Technology is a kid’s world now.”

The superintendent said he plans to attend selectmen’s meetings and town meetings in the district when possible.

In other board business Thursday, selectmen worked on the warrant for the Jan. 19 town meeting. The town will decide if they want bulk waste pickup or bins around town, because the state has ordered the town to close its waste transfer station. The town has curbside pickup, which is very popular, and the board said people definitely want to keep what they have.

The town will also vote on whether to accept title to the former Hartford Historical Society building. The society has disbanded and the building reverts back to the town legally.