GARDINER -- Voters increased the proposed School Administrative District 11 budget by $195,000 at a district budget meeting attended by about 120 of the district's 13,000 residents Tuesday.

The new total proposed budget of nearly $21 million goes to voters from Gardiner, West Gardiner, Randolph and Pittston in a referendum vote June 10.

Both the district budget meeting and the new form of referendum question going to voters June 10 were instituted as part of a state school reorganization law.

Voters Tuesday added $100,000 back into the budget for fuel costs plus another $95,000 in staff costs intended by voters to restore two elementary school guidance counselors' jobs.

Dick Rogers, chairman of the school board, said he thinks the school board may have some discretion in the manner in which the $95,000, added Tuesday, is spent.

But Rogers complained the new state process is "flawed," in that it allowed a small number of people to determine a school budget amount that will go to voters districtwide.

"Clearly the process is flawed, and the Legislature needs to look at this again," Rogers said. "It's unfair a turnout of 120 people can decide for 13,000 people. That's just not right."

Proposed expenditures for 2008-09 were $97,915 less than the previous year, before the $195,000 was added back in at the meeting.

The added money for fuel will cover only part of the projected shortfall in funding for diesel and oil to power school buses and heat schools.

Superintendent Paul Knowles said bids to provide the district fuel for next year came in $368,000 higher than anticipated.

This despite the fact the fuel budget was already up $100,000 from last year, Rogers said.

"That $100,000 (approved by voters Tuesday) is the right thing to do. It'll help," Rogers said. "We're going to struggle to find that $368,000. It's going to mean more cuts. My belief is that is where we're going to have to go to find the money."

A special board meeting was planned Thursday night to discuss the budget and implications of Wednesday's vote.

The district budget validation referendum on June 10 will ask: "Do you favor approving the Maine School Administrative District No. 11 budget for the upcoming school year that was adopted at the latest district budget meeting?"

Polls on June 10 will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Gardiner.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com