BY ERIN RHODA

Staff Writer

Bingham-based School Administrative District 13 finally has a budget for this year.

After defeating the school budget three times since June, residents of Bingham and Moscow approved it Tuesday in a 117-75 vote.

Eighty-one Bingham residents voted for the $3.17 million budget, while 48 voted against it. In Moscow, 36 residents voted yes, while 27 voted no.

The budget is down $111,591 from last year, even with the district receiving about $197,000 less in state subsidies and about $180,000 less in tax assessments. School officials reduced the budget by $93,000 from when it was presented at the beginning of the summer.

In the last referendum vote, in September, the budget failed by one vote, possibly because voters could not get to the polls before 6 p.m., Superintendent Kenneth Smith said. This time, the polls remained open until 8 p.m.

"I did want to thank the people that came out to support the budget," Smith said. "We stayed open an extra two hours. I heard from quite a few people that didn't get out of work in Skowhegan until after 6, and that gave them extra time to vote."

Approval of this year's budget allows school officials to devote their full attention to next year's 2010-11 budget.

SAD 13 anticipates it will receive about $225,000 less in state subsidies next year.

"The effort will be harder and harder because we cut so much this year," Smith said. "So I think people have to start thinking about trying to do more and more things with other people."

Whether collaborations with other districts involve consolidation or sharing services and personnel, Smith said, "Superintendents in the area all have the same problem, and we're all trying to find ways to get the most out of what we can from our resources."

SAD 13 is working on a consolidation plan with SAD 74, which includes Anson, North Anson, Solon, New Portland and Embden. Smith is also the superintendent of SAD 74.

SAD 74 anticipates it will receive about $600,000 less in state subsidies next year.

Also, between now and June 30, SAD 13 officials estimate they will need to cut about $50,000 from the school budget, as lawmakers look for ways to balance the current state budget. The $50,000 loss will be filled by surplus funds left over from last year, Smith said.

SAD 74 faces a larger cut of about $180,000 this year. Administrators still are working on that budget reduction plan, Smith said, but it probably will involve finding ways to save money in lots of small areas. It also probably will mean employees will have to assume greater responsibilities, Smith said; and it could mean that the district will have to cease purchase orders. The district will pursue those options before it considers layoffs, Smith said.

"My guess is we're nowhere near through this financial mess," Smith said. "People are not going to be able to afford to do things the way they have. I think they're unwilling to support at the same level, so you have to give some stuff up."

Erin Rhoda -- 474-9534

erhoda@centralmaine.com