BUCKFIELD — Regional School Unit 10 Superintendent Tom Ward told selectmen Tuesday night that officials have saved $600,000 by consolidating  the central school offices in Buckfield, Dixfield and Rumford into one.

“The districts would have had to raise $1.2 million if they had been on their own,” he said, referring to the former SADs 39, 21 and 43.

Ward said he believes the districts become more efficient the more they are together. “Sharing has been another positive outcome. Ideas flow between grades in the different schools,” he said.

“A key thing people wanted was for their schools to keep their identity,” Ward said. “The uniqueness of the schools has not been lost, and that is good.”

Ward said there are strengths and weaknesses between schools, but they are more alike than not.

“People from the communities helped develop a strategic plan for the future of RSU 10, which was given over to a committee of educators to further develop. The plan will be on the website,” Ward said.

A $1.1 million, three-year federal grant was awarded to RSU 10 for intervention for positive social behavior. Ward said social behavior has improved. The grant also allows for parents to assist in the program, which began in 2010 in the elementary schools and is starting in middle school this year. It will go on to high school next year.

Ward said the challenge facing them at present is the budget is up $3.1 million.

“We have lost $750,000 in stimulus, $250,000 in special education and $250,000 in Title 1 stimulus,” he said.

The school system needs to cut $3 million, he said.

Selectman Robin Buswell asked where the cuts would be made, to which Ward replied, “Across the board.”

Ward did have some good news for the former SAD 39 schools. There was $21,070.80 in bond bank money returned to RSU 10 to be given back to the three towns. It was divided as follows: Buckfield $8,639.03, Hartford $7,796.20 and Sumner $4,635.57. These funds will be added to the remaining carryover funds.

In other news, the board approved having Town Manager Glen Holmes attend a three-day workshop on roads and related areas. Holmes is also the road commissioner, and the selectmen felt he needed more training in that area.

The board also voted to give the six people whose properties were claimed by the town for nonpayment of taxes until June 21 to buy them back.

The board also approved of bids going out for nonspecific road work. This would be a three-year agreement with a contractor.

Holmes showed a brochure for the Swap Shop that can be given out to new people in town so they know what things can be recycled in the Swap Shop and what can be recycled at the Transfer Station.