SUMNER — The Regional School Unit 10 board Monday night overwhelmingly approved a $36.71 million budget for 2015-16.

It’s about 1.5 percent more than for 2014-15.

Slightly more than half of the total budget will come from general purpose aid to education from the state. The amount is about $400,000 less than first considered at the previous board meeting because health insurance premiums came in less than expected.

The budget reinstates half-time music, physical education, library and art positions so each of the elementary schools would have teachers in those areas.

A half-time guidance counselor position also was added.

Last year, about 44 full- and half-time positions were eliminated from the budget.

Public hearings on the 2015-16 budget are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 20, at the Dirigo Elementary School gym in Peru and May 21 at the Buckfield Junior-Senior High School auditorium.

The districtwide budget meeting and vote is set for May 27 in the Mountain Valley High School gym in Rumford. The validation vote will be held June 9 in each of the 12 district towns.

All towns except for Hanover would see a decline in their local share of the budget. Hanover would pay $884 more.

Rumford’s local share would decline the most, at $103,756.

Other member towns are Buckfield, Byron, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Hartford, Mexico, Peru, Roxbury and Sumner.

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