BUCKFIELD — The second public hearing on the 2015-16 Regional School Unit 10 budget Thursday night drew a few people, one of whom asked about reaccreditation.

Judy Berg asked why the decision was made not to seek reaccreditation for the district’s three high schools in Buckfield, Rumford and Dixfield.

Superintendent Craig King said it was because of the approximately $25,000 cost and the time taken away from staff. He said many of the same steps required by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges are being completed in other ways.

King outlined how the $36.71 million budget was developed and what it includes. Money for half-time positions in physical education, music, art, library services and social work is included, as well as more time for administrative, special education and guidance duties, he said.

Last year, the budget cut money for 44 positions.

The spending plan is about 1.5 percent more than this fiscal year.

Two of the district’s 12 towns will see an increase in school taxes, if the budget is passed as is. King said state aid to education will pay 52 percent of the total, or $18.95 million, while residents will provide 45 percent, or $16.64 million. The remaining 3 percent will come from miscellaneous sources such as carryover funds, grants and tuition.

Hanover will pay $884 more and Roxbury, because of the recently installed wind tower project, will pay $26,000 more.

Rumford will see the largest drop, at $103,756.

Other decreases are: Buckfield, almost $39,000; Hartford, $20,500; Sumner, nearly $8,900; Mexico, $25,400; Byron, which is taking steps to pull out of the district, $39,200; Dixfield, $54,400; Canton, $32,150; Carthage, $10,300; and Peru, almost $57,000.

Residents will vote on the proposed budget at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford.

A validation referendum will be held at the polls in each town Tuesday, June 9.

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