FAIRFIELD —  Voters in Fairfield-based School Administrative District 49 approved the proposed 2012–13 budget of $23,744,882 at Thursday night’s public budget meeting.

The total is $565,855 more than the 2011-12 operating budget.

Leonard Dow moderated the 75-minute meeting at Lawrence Junior High School attended by about 80 residents.

Several people in the audience spoke against a budget increase, including Town Councilor Harold Murray.

School Board Director Steve Grenier of Albion said the frustration was misplaced.

Because the state continually fails to fund 55 percent of education costs, Grenier said the added financial burden falls on local taxpayers.

By a show of hands, residents easily approved raising $6,507,278 for the district’s contribution for programs and services that the state deemed essential.

By municipality, the $6,507,278 was divided as follows: $937,026 in Albion, $1,322,295 in Benton,  $1,315,759 in Clinton and $2,932,197 in Fairfield.

By a 64-17 written vote, residents also OK’d raising additional local funds totaling $1,365,074 for programs the state didn’t deem essential for education.

Attendees also approved the following expenditures:

• $10,016,409 for regular instruction

• $3,455,504 for special education

• $357,342 for career and technical education

• $705,703 for system administration (Central Office and School Board)

• $579,603 for other instruction (co-curricular programs)

• $2,317,730 for student and staff support (library, technology, nursing, guidance, school resource officer)

• $1,192,838 for school administration (principals, clerical)

• $1,590,213 for transportation

• $3,529,537 for facilities

 Residents also OK’d raising $143,000 of the $266,504 total for adult education.

At the polls June 12, registered district voters will cast a yes or no vote on whether to validate the $23,744,882 total.

Beth Staples — 861-9252
bstaples@centralmaine.com