TOPSHAM — In less than an hour, and with little public comment, School Administrative District 75 voters approved next year’s $34.2 million budget on May 19.

The audience approved separate budget warrant articles by a show of hands in the Town Meeting-style gathering, held at the Orion Performing Arts Center. The fiscal 2012 budget faces a final vote at the June 14 budget validation referendum.

If approved again, next year’s spending plan will decrease more than $572,000, or 1.65 percent, from the current year. Total local contribution across the district will be flat at $18.7 million, but each town would see an increase or decrease, triggered by valuation changes.

Topsham’s contribution will climb 3.15 percent to $7.8 million, while Harpswell’s will decrease nearly 5 percent to $6.5 million, Bowdoin’s will rise 2.18 percent to $2.1 million, and Bowdoinham’s will increase 2.36 percent to $2.3 million.

SAD 75 is experiencing a revenue shortfall of nearly $594,000.

Positions eliminated in the budget include two eighth-grade Mt. Ararat Middle School teachers, a science teacher and two alternative education staff at Mt. Ararat High School, 1.8 elementary librarians, and an interventionist.

The June 14 referendum will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Topsham Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall, Bowdoin Central School and Bowdoinham Town Hall, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Merriconeag Grange Hall on the Harpswell mainland, the Cundy’s Harbor Community Building on Great Island, and the Old Orr’s Island School House.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

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