FARMINGTON — RSU 9 directors voted 13-3 Tuesday to add a half-time principal at the Mallett School in Farmington. The weighted vote was 779-222, with directors Angela LeClair and Keith Swett, both of Wilton, and Wanda Soule of Chesterville opposed.

The board also voted to set the proposed prekindergarten through 12th grade budget for 2013-14 at $29.74 million, including state retirement costs the governor proposes to have school districts pay.

It also includes $46,859 for the half-time assistant principal that breaks down to $32,000 for wages and $14,859 for benefits.

The spending package represents an $840,660 increase over the current budget. If the teacher retirement cost is removed by the state Legislature, the proposed plan would be $29.43 million, $526,612 more than the current budget.

Directors also voted to have open articles at the district budget meeting vote. This type of article allows voters to add or subtract money for each article on the warrant.

Superintendent Mike Cormier suggested they set the budget to include retirement costs and they could be eliminated during the open budget vote. The board will wait until Tuesday, May 14, to see if the Legislature has made a decision before setting voting dates.

The decision on a half-time assistant principal position came after a lengthy debate.

The need for an assistant principal at the Mallett School was recognized by a budget subcommittee but was not added to the budget.

The Mallett School has 436 students in pre-kindergarten through third grade and attendance is projected to increase to about 450 next year. The state’s recommended funding model is 305 students per administrator up to grade eight.

Principal Tracy Williams oversees Mallett and Principal Darlene Paine oversees Academy Hill and Cushing schools in Wilton. The total population of students in pre-kindergarten through grade six there is 367 students.

“We need another assistant principal,” Director Nancy Crosby of Weld said after sharing facts about the rising cost of education and rising cost of items in a grocery store.

“Education is really expensive but so isn’t everything else,” she said.

She motioned for a full-time assistant principal. It was seconded by Helen Wilkey of Vienna.

Vice Chairwoman Monique Claverie of Farmington said she knows there is enough work for a full-time assistant but fiscally it would not be responsible. She suggested a half-time assistant principal.

The cost of a full-time position is $81,024, including benefits.

Other directors acknowledged the need for more administrative help at Mallett to allow Williams to work with staff on professional development to improve student learning.

“There is a need for a full-time assistant principal but we cannot afford it,” Director Claire Andrews of Farmington said, suggesting it be done in phases.

“To be fiscally responsible we can’t do it all this year,” Andrews said.

“I don’t think it is fair and is right,” Soule said, to put the position at Mallett when there is room in other schools in the district. That would involve shifting grades and students to other schools. She also said she heard opposition to moving the sixth grade to middle school.

“I can’t support this. I just can’t,” Soule said.

LeClair said she hoped for more discussion on the issue.

“I’m from Wilton, I know what Darlene does,” LeClair said, referring to overseeing two schools.

The whole issue came about from the need to add someone in the office to help out at Mallett, she said. She could not support it without knowing if retirement would be removed, she said.

The budget subcommittee worked hard to develop a budget it felt voters could support, Paine said. She also said she and Williams work hard but are not able to meet all needs and demands.

Farmington Selectmen Chairman Ryan Morgan said the budget proposal adds $600,000 or more to assessments for Farmington and Wilton. He is the one, he said, who listens to people in executive session who cannot pay their taxes and are going to lose their homes.

After more discussion, Claverie amended the motion to add a half-time principal. Crosby withdrew her motion but Wilkey said she wouldn’t withdraw her second unless the position went to Mallett.

Claverie added that the position go to Mallett.

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