By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Residents of Regional School Unit 23 reduced the proposed school budget by $130,000 during the May 24 regional budget meeting.

The $42.7 million education budget needs final approval from voters in a June 7 referendum. The meeting was most heavily attended by residents of Dayton, the smallest town in the district that also includes Saco and Old Orchard Beach.

The meeting at Saco Middle School drew 83 Dayton voters, 60 Saco voters and 34 Old Orchard Beach voters. They voted to reduce system administration by $100,000 and facilities maintenance by $30,000.

The budget meeting is part of the school budget process created under the school consolidation law that allows residents more control over budget final numbers. Voters can either approve the budget as proposed by the school board or pass amendments to increase or decrease the budget.

Dayton and Saco residents have during the past few months expressed a desire to withdraw from the regional school unit, now in its second year. A Legislative committee rejected a bill presented by Rep. Wayne Parry of Arundel that would have allowed the two communities to withdraw from the district.

Dayton selectmen are looking at other options to withdraw from the district, citing concerns about rising taxes as a result of the education budget. The Saco City Council earlier this year voted to include the city in the RSU 23 withdrawal bill.

Lisa Morse, a Dayton resident and former school board member, proposed an amendment during the meeting to reduce system administration by $100,000. The system administration budget line includes central office staff.

Morse said the intent behind consolidation was to reduce central office services and said it appears cuts were made to schools instead of administration.

Superintendent Mike Lafortune said the district reduced from two to one a number of positions, including superintendent, directors of technology and food service, business manager, curriculum coordinator and special education director. He said the number of secretarial positions also was reduced. He said the district uses two buildings for central office staff because of a shortage of space at the Saco office.

Morse said her proposed reduction “should take care of a few extra staff.”

Dean Plante of Old Orchard Beach spoke out against the reduction and warned voters they have no control over exactly how the district will make cuts.

Voters also supported Morse’s second amendment to reduce the facilities maintenance by $30,000. The original amount included funds to replace bleachers at Old Orchard Beach High School.

Gary Curtis, a school board member from Old Orchard Beach, said the Old Orchard Beach Town Council voted to give the district a $200,000 grant for the bleachers and repairs to tennis courts. The money is a gift from the town and does not have to be repaid, he said.

Voters also defeated an attempt by Saco Mayor Ron Michaud to reduce the regular instruction budget by $350,000. He said he feels the district is overstaffed and costs are passed onto his community.

After the meeting, Lafortune said reductions approved by voters were “totally a surprise” and he had “no idea” what would be cut.

“The people have spoken,” he said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.