DIXFIELD — Voters of RSU 56 on Tuesday approved a $12.28 million budget for next year that will raise taxes in member towns because it is slightly higher than the current spending plan.

The budget still faces a referendum in the member towns of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield and Peru. 

Spending increased by 1.5 percent because of higher local assessments, higher town valuations and less state funding. 

Another change is that the Maine Department of Education is sending money for vocational education directly to those schools, not to the school districts, Superintendent Pam Doyen said.

Almost $900,000 will be sent directly from the state to the Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico rather than “coming in and out of our budget,” Doyen said.

The estimated annual tax increase on a home valued at $100,000 based on the school budget is: Canton $255 (this number does not include the town budget or windmill valuation); Carthage, $158; Dixfield, $180; and Peru, $200.

In budget deliberations, the board of directors cut funding for computer network upgrades, one high school athletic program that will be determined by student interest, field trips, after-school programs at Dirigo Elementary School, library books and supplies, principal travel and technology software and hardware, among other cuts.

By a vote of 33-1 at Tuesday’s town-hall-style meeting, voters approved additional local funds of $2.48 million.

A June 12 budget validation referendum will be held in all four towns from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The vote in Canton will be held at the Town Office Meeting Room, in Carthage at the Town Office, in Dixfield at the American Legion, and in Peru at the Town Office.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

RSU 56 logo.

Ballot clerks Kathy Walker of Canton, left, and Vera Parent of Peru attend to voters at the Regional School Unit 56 public hearing and budget vote Tuesday at Dirigo High School. Rebecca Richards of Dixfield casts her ballot. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)

State Representative John Madigan served as moderator at the Regional School Unit 56 public hearing and budget validation meeting on Tuesday at Dirigo High School. (Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times)