SALEM TOWNSHIP — SAD 58 voters will have one last chance to review the proposed $9.25 million budget at a hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at Mt. Abram High School.

The school board and Superintendent Brenda Stevens will explain costs and decisions to add or remove funding in each category.

Voters at the hearing will be asked to approve the current budget or a lower figure to send to voters in Strong, Kingfield, Avon and Phillips on Tuesday, June 18. The ballot will ask voters if they want to continue the practice of holding two votes on the budget.

If Thursday’s final budget total is not passed by the towns, school board directors must start the budget process again and schedule another district budget meeting no earlier than June 28. They also will schedule another town vote.

If there is no approved budget by July 1, the district will operate on the budget approved at the June 13 hearing. State law allows any district to continue operating after July 1 with the most recently approved budget total, until voters approve the referendum at the polls.

This year’s budget includes $80,000 to restore a full-time principal for Strong, Kingfield and Phillips Elementary schools and $58,625 for a district-wide licensed clinical social worker.

“The board feels both of these positions are necessary and important for the delivery of a quality education that supports the needs of students in today’s world,” Stevens said.

The proposed budget also contains $94,000 for a new bus. Most of the cost will be reimbursed in next year’s state subsidy. SAD 58 had six buses qualify for replacement this year, Stevens said.

Also, the Affordable Care Act requires the district to offer health insurance to employees who work 30 hours or more each week.

“Most surrounding districts already do this,” Stevens said. “MSAD 58 has not, and therefore, this is an additional expense of $99,500.”

Federal sequestration reduced funds to support students who need specialized instruction. The reduction is the equivalent of one teaching position and 1½ education technicians.

“In order to maintain our current level of support, these positions have been added to the local budget at a cost of $60,000 and $37,000, respectively,” Stevens said.

Gov. Paul LePage proposes to shift $118,000 of teacher retirement costs from the state to SAD 58. The Maine Legislature has not made a decision on whether to shift some or all of those costs to local taxpayers.

The district will partner with Mt. Blue Regional School District’s Franklin County Adult Education Program, beginning July 1. In return, Stevens said, the district will contribute its anticipated $16,900 of adult education state subsidy to the Mt. Blue program.