CHINA -- Voters will be asked to approve borrowing $525,000 for China Middle School renovations, tentatively set for an April 29 referendum.

At Monday's School Committee meeting, committee members unanimously endorsed accepting the loan from a state renovation fund. Simultaneously, selectmen and Budget Committee members, in special meetings, voted to recommend voter approval of the measure.

Town Manager Daniel L'Heureux said voting will be in the Town Office, from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a quorum of 191 voters needed for a valid result.

The vote will be held on April 29 or as close as possible to that date, he said.

According to the state's notice of approval of China's loan request, almost 70 percent will be forgiven. The town will be obligated to pay back $157,658 over 10 years, at no interest.

School Committee Chairman Charles Clark said the work would involve air quality improvements in sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade classrooms at the middle school.

The 2008-09 budget was the major agenda item Monday evening. Committee members made no progress, because they said they are still awaiting final figures on state aid to education.

The total amount of state funding -- and the way it will be shared among schools -- are both unresolved issues.

School Union 52 Director of Business Gary Smith said comparisons with other school units showed apparent discrepancies in the way the state funding formula works. He discussed them with state education officials and expects changes.

Committee members are looking at a tentative expenditure budget totaling $8.16 million, a 2.8 percent increase over the current year.

In addition, Smith expects a shortfall in this year's tuition account, perhaps close to $100,000.

It is clear that more of next year's burden will fall on local taxpayers: Supporting the proposed budget might require a tax increase of $3 to $4 for each $1,000 of valuation, Smith said. But no exact estimate is possible until state figures are available.

With 2008-09 municipal expenditures to be decided at China's annual town business meeting March 29, committee members discussed ways to warn voters to save as much money as possible for the school budget.

In other business Monday, School Committee members:

n approved the 2008-09 school calendar, with classes starting before Labor Day; and

n scheduled a special meeting, primarily for budget work, for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in addition to their regular meeting Monday, April 14.