DIXFIELD — The $35.1 million operating budget for RSU 10 passed with 59 percent of the vote Tuesday.

Carthage was the only town of the 12 that did not have results Wednesday.

The total was 1,834 to 1,317. Towns passing the budget were: Rumford, 725-350; Hanover, 38-13; Roxbury, 25-23; Mexico, 203-163; Peru, 332-227; and Canton, 79-53.

Defeating the measure budget were: Buckfield, 155-174; Byron, 6-14; Dixfield, 138-142; Hartford, 83-97; and Sumner, 50-61.

Superintendent Tom Ward said Wednesday that he was sympathetic to the area’s financial doldrums.

“In these very difficult times, I feel very fortunate that we could pass the budget,” he said.

The 2012-13 budget is about 3 percent more than this year’s $34.1 million, despite the elimination of more than 30 positions and cuts in most cost centers. Ward has said that the region most likely supports an excess of school buildings.

He said the board and administration will begin efforts to try to reduce next year’s budget when they meet June 25 to discuss ways to cut costs or make better use of the district’s facilities. For example, they could change the uses of or close some of the region’s 10 school buildings.

Some changes are expected by the beginning of the new school year.

The 17-member board will change little after the re-election of several members Tuesday. Among those were Peter Zanoni of Mexico, Dan Force of Hanover and Marcia Chaisson of Rumford, who were unopposed. Hartford representative Armand Rowe and challenger Shawn White each received 86 votes.

Rowe said Wednesday he conceded the election to White, a Lewiston High School teacher, so new ideas could be voiced.