WINDSOR -- The school superintendent is recommending a freeze in spending until the end of the year.

Superintendent Greg Potter said Windsor Elementary School needs to be financially set when it joins the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit next year.

Windsor residents voted in Tuesday's primary election to join the unit, which includes Windsor, Alna, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Westport Island, Whitefield and Wiscasset.

"I'm just thinking in terms of what the state is forecasting for budget problems and the economic situation," Potter said Thursday.

"And we are looking at a new consolidated school system as well. The town should be in the best situation it can coming into a new school unit, and we want to make sure we have a handle on it."

He said a freeze on the $4.9 million budget would involve nonessential spending, such as supplies, field trips, seminars and training for staff.

The focus will remain on maintenance of the facility, he said. Essential services such as health and safety would not be affected, he said.

The school also is experiencing some new developments with special education that he said will cost more than originally budgeted.

The special-education budget amounts to $681,000.

He said the school has 60 students in the special-education program.

"We're looking at a couple of different out-of-district placements," he said. "When you create a budget and then circumstances arise, it presents some challenges."

Potter said the extra costs will depend on where students are placed. There are several programs available, he said, including at the school and Good Will-Hinckley.

"There's not a lot of local entitlement funds the union can apply for," he said. "It is a possibility we'll have an opportunity to save enough to make it happen. That's why we're considering a budget freeze."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com