BETHEL — The SAD 44 board this week looked at a proposed 2013-14 budget and unanimously accepted a pilot program to allow about a dozen Telstar Regional High School students to attend Central Maine Community College next year.

Superintendent David Murphy said the Finance Committee unveiled a preliminary budget of $10,246,310. This year’s budget is $9,989,000.

He said the proposed figure includes about $125,000 for teacher retirement that had previously been picked up by the state, salary and benefit increases, an elementary technology educational technician that was funded by a grant, as well as increases in legal fees and bus lease costs.

To arrive at the preliminary figure, a $100,000 increase was eliminated from the district’s five-year capital plan, and proposals to reinstate a business manager position and to add an athletic trainer were shelved.

Other reductions included less money for debt service and insurance and for sending students to the Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico.

Murphy said the district expects to receive the lowest amount of state aid ever: $704,000.

However, no staff positions were eliminated.

He said the preliminary budget is on par with the operating budget adopted for 2008-09.

The district has just over 800 students from Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry and Woodstock.

The board is expected to act on a final budget May 6. That proposal will go before residents at a districtwide meeting May 13.

A validation referendum will be held June 11 in each town.

The CMCC pilot program is a first for Telstar high school. Under the agreement, up to a dozen eligible seniors will be able to enroll at the Auburn college during the next school year. They will attend college classes and return to Telstar in the afternoon.

Charlie Raymond, dean of students at Telstar Regional High School, told the board that Project Opportunity will pay up to $25,000 in tuition for those students. Project Opportunity was founded in 1988 by local business and educational leaders to increase the number of students who attend college.

Murphy said families of eligible juniors will soon be invited to attend an informational meeting about the pilot program. Later in May, families and students will have a chance to tour the college.

“This has the potential to be a great program,” Murphy said.

In other matters, the board approved a recommendation by the Finance Committee to purchase up to 1,000 Maine Learning Technology Initiative laptops at $47 each. Funds come from e-rate money gained through telephone fees.

Laptops no longer needed by the schools will then be offered to the public for purchase. Murphy said that sale will likely take place in about six months.

Also, the board accepted the resignations of longtime high school math teacher Bob Remington and counselor Kevin O’Reilly. Remington will be retiring.