DOVER-FOXCROFT – A $7.8 million proposed budget that reflects a 1.3 percent increase over last year’s approved spending plan is expected to be adopted by SAD 68 budget committee at a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 26.

Directors whittled the budget down by $116,000 by making cuts in various accounts, according to SAD 68 Superintendent John Dirnbauer. And, he said, the budget is still being “massaged.” In addition to the cuts made in various accounts, one midlevel teaching position will be eliminated through attrition.

Over the past two years, the district has received $309,284 less in general purpose aid, including $76,745 less this year, the superintendent said.

“That hurts, that hurts a lot,” Dirnbauer said. “We can’t keep this up. We have cut the budget to the quick. There’s hope and promise in more money being directed to SAD 68 through the Essential Programs and Services Funding Model. If that doesn’t happen, the school board will have to ask for additional monies for the continued operation of the school in future years.”

The proposed budget will mean a total 7.9 percent increase in assessments to the town and, based on valuations, SAD 68 communities could see an increase ranging from 3 percent to 7 percent, Dirnbauer said.

Included in the spending plan is $50,000 to get the proposed Morton Avenue Elementary School construction project moving forward. The budget also includes $247,000 for salaries and benefits for all district employees.

Dirnbauer expects the full board will take action on the budget at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, at SeDoMoCha Middle School. The budget would then be presented to voters for action on May 5.