POLAND — The Regional School Unit 16 board Thursday accepted the results of Tuesday’s referendum, approving the $20.8 million budget for 2016-17.

The official vote from the three towns was 404-186.

Voters also supported continuing the two-vote budget-approval process for another three years by a vote of 416-141.

The board also signed papers for town assessments as follows: Mechanic Falls, $1.54 million; Minot, $1.84 million; and Poland, $6.67 million.

Superintendent Tina Meserve said enrollment for pre-kindergarten classes this fall are significantly lower than expected in Mechanic Falls and Minot and marginally lower in Poland:

• Mechanic Falls: 18 students this year, 30 last year;

• Minot: 12 this year, 32 last year; and

• Poland: 44 this year, 48 last year.

“The low number at Minot may mean we’ll have one of those small classes moving on through, with staffing implications in future years,” Meserve said. “We’ll be watching.”

She said some parents don’t send their children to preschool, citing the child care difficulties posed by having children in school half days and only four days a week.

Meserve also reported that the district’s three elementary schools will again  participate in the summer food program. It’s open to everyone in grades kindergarten through 12, whether they get free or reduced-price lunches.

In other business, board Chairwoman Mary Martin thanked Dan Knott and the Tri-Town Education Association for their efforts in securing a grant from the Perloff Foundation to purchase robotics equipment for use at Whittier Middle School.

Martin announced that equipment purchased with the $2,693 grant will support STEM programs for all seventh- and eighth-grade students.

Reporting from the operations subcommittee, Aaron Ouellette announced the composting program that began April 1 eliminated 21,320 pounds from the waste stream. That’s from all five schools.

“The people from CompostME are most impressed with the startup speed,” Ouellette said.

Meserve reminded the committee of a community forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Whittier Middle School to get feedback on plans for the addition at Whittier Middle School. The cost, which will be paid by the towns, is expected to top $3 million. Project architects discuss the preliminary plans.