LIVERMORE FALLS — The president of the Regional School Unit 73 Education Association presented directors with budget information that showed a 3.9 percent decrease in proposed spending compared to last year.

Nathan Harnden shared an informational handout compiled by Spruce Mountain Middle School teacher Rob Taylor.

It showed that the 2017-18 budget of just over $18 million is $745,078 less than the 2016-17 budget.

The actual amount to be raised by Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls is $10.88 million, which is down by $604,039 (5.3 percent) from last year. The rest of the money comes from state funding and other sources.

Amounts to be raised locally by town are:

• Livermore, $2 million, a $108,209 (5.7 percent) increase from last year.

• Livermore Falls, $1.8 million, a $150,357 (9.2 percent) increase.

• Jay, $7.1 million, a decrease of $862,597 (10.8 percent less than last year).

RSU 73 per-student costs are $11,865. The handout pointed out that other local school systems have per-student costs of between $13,000 and $15,000.

“We are the lowest cost in this area,” Harnden said. “We want to make sure our students have the best educational program possible.”

The district budget meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at the Spruce Mountain Middle School Cafeteria in Jay.

In other business, the board:

• Accepted, with regret, the retirement of Spruce Mountain Primary School Title 1 Literacy teacher Maggie Davis at the end of the 2016-17 school year.

• Held a moment of silence for Darcy Bernier, who worked in the cafeteria at Spruce Mountain Primary School. Bernier passed away May 6.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

Livermore Falls resident Alan Chretien, right, speaks to the RSU 73 Board of Directors during a meeting Thursday.