POLAND — Resolution of the RSU 16 budget impasse took a turn for the better Thursday with Dana Lee — former town manager in both Mechanic Falls and Poland — facilitating a meeting of School Committee members and town officials from Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland.

School Committee Chairman Dave Griffiths set the tone and direction of the meeting with his admission that the School Committee had erred by not finding a way to involve the town budget committees earlier in the process.

With that said, the School Committee listened to suggestions on what might be done to craft a budget that voters would approve, hearing primarily from town budget committee members, but with the public at large also participating.

In turn, school officials were afforded the opportunity to explain the history of the budget — steps taken post consolidation to do more with less — and to explain the effects that further cuts to the budget would have on educational programs.

No decisions were reached on where, if anywhere, cuts would be recommended. However Griffiths invited all participants to RSU 16’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in the Poland Regional High School.

Griffiths said he expects the School Committee, in addition to making some budgetary decisions, to try to set a schedule for bringing the budget to voters at a meeting and a vote.