DOVER-FOXCROFT – Only a handful of district employees were in the audience Wednesday as SAD 68 directors approved a proposed 2004 budget that eliminates seven positions.

With little discussion, directors approved a $7.69 million budget that reflects a decrease in expenditures of $79,000 from the current year.

“It’s an unusual year with the budget difficulties. … There were a number of sacrifices to be made to bring the budget together,” Superintendent John Dirnbaurer said.

Even with the $79,000 reduction, it took a 4 percent increase in assessments to meet the budget requirements, he said. “We suffered such a severe hit in general purpose aid.”

In addition to the position cuts, directors Wednesday voted to eliminate the computer course at SeDoMoCha Middle School effective in June.

“It’s not a budget to feel very good about; we’ll have to work all the harder to make sure we’re successful,” Dirnbauer said.

He said declining enrollment and an increase in state valuations resulted in less state subsidy for 2004, and the same factors will be in play next year. Enrollment projections are down about 30 pupils for next fall, he said.

Even though 40 percent of the budget supports high school students at Foxcroft Academy, the district had to absorb the brunt of the cuts. As negotiated, the district will pay the academy the same tuition and insured value factor rates as last year.

The public hearing on the proposed spending plan will be at 6:30 p.m. May 27, followed at 7 p.m. by the district budget meeting.

In other action Wednesday, directors ratified a three-year contract for education technicians. The contract allows for a 4 percent increase in salaries and benefits in each of the three years.

Dirnbauer also reported that state officials authorized the district to move forward on an engineering study to compare renovation versus addition and to investigate interim financing for the proposed Morton Avenue Elementary School project.

In the meantime, state officials will review further the district’s study on regionalization, a requirement before funding is approved even though the project is on the state’s protected list.