SABATTUS ? The budget approved by Regional School Unit 4’s community members at last month’s budget meeting has not been adopted, and since then, two significant changes have taken place.

The school board reduced the budget by $51,000 and the passage of the state budget will result in the district getting an additional $176,000 in state funding.

The new proposed budget for the 2015-16 school year is $18.5 million, which is a 2.46 percent increase over the 2014-15 budget.

If this new budget were to be approved, Litchfield, Sabattus and Wales will see a reduction in their shares of the budget. Litchfield’s would decrease by $22,077, Sabattus’ would decrease by $73,494 and Wales’ would decrease by $21,248.

The budget meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at the Oak Hill High School gymnasium. Budget referendums will follow Tuesday, July 28, in each of the three towns.

In a letter to the community, RSU 4 Superintendent James Hodgkin stated, “I hope that you can support this budget as it is being proposed. I feel that it provides the financial support that is needed to continue to improve the educational experience for the children in the three towns. The school board has spent a great deal of time analyzing the budget and making the necessary changes. Thanks for your consideration.”