RUMFORD – The SAD 43 board Monday approved a $14.8 million budget to go before voters next month. They also approved a $750,000 bond issue.

People in the four member towns will have a chance to learn about the proposed 2007-08 budget at a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. on June 5. Then, on June 7, a town-meeting styled vote will be taken. At that time, residents will have a chance to ask additional questions about the budget.

The binding vote will take place by referendum in the four towns on June 12.

The proposed figure represents a 3.17 increase over this year’s $14.3 million budget.

Three teaching positions would be lost, along with seven education technician jobs and the stipend position of Mountain Valley Middle School assistant ski coach. Two of the three teaching positions, a grade 8 teacher and a grade 2 teacher, are being left vacant. Those that held them are either retiring or moving to other jobs. The full-time art teacher position at Meroby Elementary School was reduced to .8 time.

Anne Simmons-Edmunds of Byron, one of the three board members who opposed the budget, objected to cutting teacher or educational-technician positions while maintaining the district’s sports program. Also voting against the budget were Rumford representative David McKivergan and Mexico representative Randy Canwell.

Vicki Amoroso, co-president of the Mountain Valley Education Association, thanked the board for approving the continuation of all four librarian positions. She also asked that the seven educational technician positions be retained.

“Such a reduction will have a direct impact on student education,” she said.

If voters approve the budget, owners of a home valued at $100,000 will see the following increases in property taxes: Rumford, $53.16; Mexico, $149.59; Roxbury, $142.29; and Byron, $178.72.

The state will provide about $160,000 more this year toward the budget than last year, bringing the total to $6.2 million.

The board also approved putting a five-year bond question before voters that, if approved, would provide funds for resurfacing the middle school track, replace two boilers at Meroby Elementary School, replace much of the high school roof, purchase new kitchen equipment, and pay for asbestos removal, electrical updates and roof repairs.

Simmons-Edmunds and Canwell voted against the bond question.

Also on Monday, the board:

• Accepted the resignation of building, grounds and transportation director Tim Gallant, then appointed his former assistant, Tim Sinclair, to fill the position until the end of June. Gallant has taken a job with Rumford as parks supervisor.

• Appointed assistant special education director Paula Leavitt as interim director for school year 2007-08. She replaces Diane Taylor-Moore, who leaves her position at the end of the school year.

• Accepted the resignation of high school health teacher James Demchak.