THOMASTON – SAD 50’s preliminary 2004-05 budget totals $10.5 million and will go before residents at a public hearing May 12.

The $10,528,585 budget is up 2.55 percent over last year’s expenses, while the assessment to member towns is $8,100,183, or 3.9 percent higher than 2003-04.

The budget will be voted on by referendum on May 18 in all towns. Budget booklets that detail expenses will be available by May 5 in district schools, town offices and local stores.

The assessment to each town breaks down as follows: Cushing, $1,671,873, up 10.98 percent; St. George, $3,838,607, up 3.64 percent; and Thomaston, $2,589,704, up less than 1 percent. State aid is down roughly 9 percent at $1,834,474.

Earlier this month, parents and residents convinced board members to restore cuts in technology education.

Directors voted to return one of two industrial arts positions and to add a health teacher rather than reinstate home economics cuts. Both tech ed and health positions will be shared between Thomaston Grammar and St. George schools. Also eliminated was a volunteer coordinator for the district.

The board cut a planned $125,000 renovation project at Georges Valley High School, reducing the capital expense to $29,483 to do some art room improvements and to repair gymnasium bleachers.

In addition, several part-time jobs have been eliminated, some full-time positions reduced, and a few part-time slots made full-time.

In September, full-time kindergarten will be implemented districtwide, which results in several half-time positions becoming full-time and the addition of full-time positions in St. George and Thomaston.

Overall, salaries account for the bulk of costs or more than 57 percent of the budget, at $6,018,258. That increase over last year’s figure is 4.94 percent. Benefits totaling $1,438,107 are down 1.28 percent.

The superintendent’s salary for the coming year is proposed at $78,810, up 6.5 percent.

According to Business Manager John Spear, administrators’ base pay will rise 3.87 percent and some will also earn longevity increases.

For teachers eligible for step increases, the average pay raise will amount to 4.2 percent, while those educators with more than 20 years’ service will see an average 2.8 percent wage hike.

Other expenses include: plant operations, $301,956, up 1.67 percent; plant maintenance, $325,329, up 3.33 percent; equipment and other capital, $87,218, up 11.52 percent; debt service and leases, $817,741, down 2.31 percent.

The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Lura Libby School.