BUCKSPORT — Over the course of two budget workshops this week, Regional School Unit 25 (RSU 25) Board members agreed to budget reductions totaling $83,430.

The changes were brought forward by Superintendent Jim Boothby. He said most were the result of going through the budget and double-checking every line.

Most of the reductions involved adjusting salary and benefit lines (no positions were cut). While some lines went up, the net effect was a $57,430 drop.

That lowered the proposed overall 2012-2013 budget total to $13.28 million, up 1.25 percent ($164,528) from last year.

In separate action, the board also accepted Boothby’s recommendation to change the adult education director’s position to two-thirds rather than full-time.

That will result in a net savings of $26,000. The local contribution to the adult education program — which is separate from the rest of the budget — will drop to $83,005.

Together, the changes to the general budget and the adult education program reduced what RSU 25 taxpayers will be required to pay by a total of $83,430.

Due to changes at the state level, though, the four towns in the RSU will collectively be required to pay about $364,000 more than they did last year.

Board members at the May 8 workshop said they have balanced the needs of students and taxpayers as best they can.

“I don’t believe this budget is a wish list by any stretch of the imagination,” said Board Chairman Melinda Stegner.

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