OAKLAND — About 75 residents approved Regional School Unit 18’s proposed 2012-13 budget of $33,029,239 Wednesday night at Messalonskee High School.

A budget validation vote will be held Tuesday, June 12, at the polls in the district communities of Belgrade, China, Oakland, Rome and Sidney.

The amount approved Wednesday night is $1.1 million more than the current operating total and will increase property taxes in four of the district’s five communities,

In Oakland, annual property taxes on a $100,000 home will increase $78.

In China, they would go up $59, in Belgrade $51 and in Sidney $43.

In Rome, property taxes would decrease $9.

By a 50-4 vote, attendees approved appropriating $29,542,679 for programs and services that the state deems essential for public education for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Townspeople then approved raising an additional $1,137,960 in local money, 52-14, in order to maintain a larger guidance staff at Messalonskee High School than deemed essential by the state, class sizes smaller than deemed essential by the state and technology support and extracurricular programs not paid for by the state.

District residents approved all 17 articles at the 90 minute meeting.

moderated by Rep. Bob Nutting, including those that authorized the following expenditures:

* $15,429,980 for regular instruction

* $3,244,986 for special education

* $515,500 for career and technical education

* $777,075 for other instruction (summer school and extracurricular activities)

* $3,470,965 for student and staff support (guidance, library, technology, nursing)

* $782,695 system administration (central office and business office)

* $1,763,822 for school administration (principals)

* $2,210, 362 for transportation

* $3,650,912 for facilities maintenance

* $1,182,942 for debt service

Voters also approved raising $48,349 of the $86,028 total for adult education.

At a referendum Tuesday, June 12, voters will decide by a yes or no vote whether to validate the entire $33,029,239 budget.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m., to 8 p.m. at the China Town Office and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Belgrade Center for All Seasons, Williams Elementary School in Oakland, Rome Town Office and Sidney Town Office.

Beth Staples — 861-9252

bstaples@centralmaine.com