FARMINGTON — Taxpayers from Mt. Blue Regional School District’s 10 towns voiced angry objections to the cuts in next year’s proposed $28.9 million budget.

Dozens of voters crowded onto the bleachers for the Monday evening meeting, and others filled seats on the floor of the new high school gymnasium.

The first hour’s debate concerned the school board’s April 26 decision to authorize Superintendent Michael Cormier to investigate subcontracting 18 custodial jobs and reducing hours of several other employees. This elimination of jobs and 23 benefit packages created a savings of $200,000, which was applied to next year’s budget.

Farmington resident Ed David began the first of the many audience challenges by saying the board had not provided evidence that subcontracting would work. He also noted that although the public has protested, the board did not reconsider its vote.

“Subcontracting was a decision to dismantle the heart of the institution and part of the team that cares for our children,” he said. “Doing this is ill-considered. My only alternative at this point is to vote against every item.”

Former director Bob Neal of New Sharon told directors he agreed with that course of action.

“I propose we go through the budget line by line the way we used to,” Neal said.

Farmington resident Paul Meyer spoke to directors, saying that he also would vote against the budget.

“This budget, proposed by administration, includes a 2 to 4 percent raise for administrators at the same time you’re eliminating jobs for the lowest-paid staff,” he said. “You’re negotiating with the union, but at the same time, you’re pulling the rug right out from under them.”

According to union negotiator Doug Hodum, all teachers in the district also received a $750 salary increase.

“We’ve been trying to negotiate for 14 months, and I would say the discussions have been acrimonious,” he said.

Directors defended the few options they had with so many cuts at the state level. Chairman Mark Prentiss asked voters to consider the reasons the board decided to eliminate jobs and cut benefits. The number of students has declined, he noted, and many voters can’t continue to pay higher taxes to support the schools.

“We have a defined population, and we’ll be deciding this over and over again until we don’t have any schools,” he said. “We’re stuck.”

Claire Andrews suggested the board was being asked to “balance the budget on the backs of the children.” Ray Glass suggested the voters should have trust in the budget process and their elected representatives.

“We shouldn’t be holding each other hostage,” he said.

Discussion continued for an hour, and Glass proposed a recess to allow the board to discuss their options. After reconvening and not reaching an agreement, the groups recessed again. Nearly 90 minutes into the meeting, directors and union members agreed to take the $200,000 jobs issue “off the table” and to return to negotiations with the union members. Voters then approved warrant articles, allowing the budget total of $28.9 million go to a vote in each town on Thursday. If voters reject the proposed 2012-13 budget, the board must return to the review process.

Mt. Blue Regional School District:

Teachers’ Salaries: $9,091,615

Special Education: $2,649,177

Career and Technical Education: $1,377,105

Other Instruction: $365,148

Student and Staff Support: $1,796,616

System Administration: $839,787

School Administration: $1,126,762.

Transportation and Buses: $1,859,794

Facilities Maintenance: $3,148,742

Debt Service and Other Commitments: $6,652,671

All Other Expenditures: $0

RSU 9 proposed increases by town and times and locations for Thursday’s vote:

Chesterville: $673,644; 1 to 7 p.m.; Town Office

Farmington: $3,564,315; noon to 6 p.m.; Community Center

Industry: $620,198; 2 to 8 p.m.; Town Hall

New Sharon: $766,308; 1 to 6 p.m.; Town Office

New Vineyard: $501,003; 2 to 6 p.m.; Smith Hall

Starks: $258,768; 2 to 8 p.m.; Community Center

Temple: $331,054; 1 to 5 p.m.; Town Hall

Vienna: $484,470 4 to 8 p.m.; Fire Station

Weld: $331,698; 4 to 8 p.m.; Town Office

Wilton: $2,255,477; noon to 6 p.m.; Town Office