FREEPORT — The Regional School Unit 5 school board took four hours Wednesday night to cut just $50,000 out of a $23 million budget and approve it for the newly consolidated district covering Freeport, Durham and Pownal.

The 11-member board attempted to trim additional programs and costs, but in the end only a $30,000 position for an athletic trainer was cut, along with what was a $20,000 error found under the business office expenses.

Residents in all three towns will vote on the budget at a public meeting on June 16 before voting at the polls on June 25.

The budget must be passed and the new district must be operational by July 1.

Given the public testimony at Wednesday's board meeting at Freeport High School, and at other meetings, Durham and Pownal residents might not pass the budget.

Pownal would face an increase of more than 30 percent in its school taxes because of a recent valuation of homes.

Residents of those towns reminded the board that during this recession, additional expenses are difficult to bear.

"I'm seeing all this money going to programs and improvements, and none of it going to tax relief," said Cliff Ruprecht, a parent from Pownal. "Is it absolutely necessary to do all of this now, or should we be making the decisions that people are making in their homes and businesses?"

Many urged the board to consider holding off on adding services, such as virtual classrooms, a "problem solving" club and a Nordic ski coach.

"We can vote in whatever we want. If the townspeople can't pay their bills, where are we?" asked Jane Rice of Durham.

Of the 11 articles that were discussed and voted on, the board passed all of them by either a unanimous vote or a 9-2 vote.

Pownal board members Eric Dube and Jennifer Kaplan, the two dissenters on some votes, fought increased costs in many areas.

"I want to restate we are in a recession, and I'm not sure people get that," Dube said. "It's not that I don't support (these new services), but there has to be a time and place."

Board member Kristen Dorsey of Freeport said the services in the budget are necessities and not just trivial additions.

"I'm not willing to wait five years (to add programs and services) and not have kids spending time productively," Dorsey said.

Freeport Athletic Director Craig Sickels made a case for Freeport gaining an athletic trainer, pointing out that it is the only one of 52 Class A and B high schools in southern Maine without one.

In the end, it was the single position cut from the $23 million budget.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com