KINGFIELD — The second in a series of SAD 58 board and community meetings reflected taxpayers’ financial worries and the continuing challenges of public education.

Superintendent Quenten Clark said Monday night that the district has lost 26 students in the past 12 months, but the decrease in state subsidy will not reflect that change until next year.

“The state pays a $4,697 subsidy per child, so potentially, we’ve lost $122,122,” he said. “We also have a penalty of $133,584 we have to pay for not consolidating, and it will be even higher next year.”

Some of the discussion at the meeting touched on the 19 cost-cutting ideas submitted by community members a year ago. Most included plans to divide students from kindergarten through eighth grade among the four elementary schools.

Another cost-cutting idea was closing the 40-year-old Mt. Abram High School. That would require students to attend Carrabec High School in North Anson, Rangeley High School, Carrabassett Valley Academy or Mt. Blue High School in Farmington.

School board members have not endorsed a plan.

Kingfield Selectman Merv Wilson asked why the public still had no dollar figures to accompany the proposals developed by members of the community.

“I don’t want to appear combative,” Wilson said. “I just feel like we’ve had this meeting before. I would like to see the board’s options after a year and all these options we’ve been handed back. I know you’ve done financial studies. They’ve been published; they’ve been in the papers; people have read them. Whether we do nothing or do something radical, I just think you should tell us more about what you think you’re going to do.”

Kingfield resident Jack McKee asked the community and board members to carefully consider the ramifications of closing a school. He also offered advice.

“Heed proposed legislation in the coming session,” McKee said. “As the first session of a new Legislature and with a new governor, there will be many bills — some good and some bad — proposed. Follow the information provided by the Maine School Management Association. That’s their business. You should frame their actions and keep in close contact with our local legislators.”

Phillips Selectman Nancy Morgan said her town is facing financial hard times. Fellow resident Anna Diebold suggested teachers should absorb more of the costs for their continuing education.

Although the discussion on Monday night revolved more around the increased costs to run SAD 58’s four elementary schools and Mt. Abram High School, some resentment against the combination of unfunded state mandates and declining state subsidies surfaced.

“Next time Augusta sends you a mandate, send it back, and stamp on it, ‘Can’t Deliver,’” Lauri Sibulkin of Phillips said, generating a round of applause from the audience.