KENNEBUNK — About 125 people gathered Tuesday at Kennebunk High School to pass 18 school budget articles, as presented in the first of a two-part vote. Regional School Unit 21 Board Chairwoman Maureen King said she expected more people, but was pleased with the turnout for the new district’s first-ever school budget vote.

Now that the articles have been approved, the budget must be validated by referendum on May 19 at the polls in Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. The total budget was approved at $36,273,991 for the fiscal year 2009-10, which is a net zero increase over last year.

“I’m always supportive of the process, and since this was a first for us I wanted to be involved,” said Arundel Selectwoman Velma Jones Hayes on Tuesday. Hayes said she was in support of the budget presented.

Bob and Judy Rose said they are also long time participants in the school budget validation process. They had three sons go through the school system in Kennebunk. Judy Rose said she also works for the district.

Not all voters were in support, though. Kennebunk resident Ed Geoghan asked participants to vote against Article 17, which authorizes the school board to transfer up to 25 percent of “leftover” funds from the end of 2008-09 into a capital reserve fund for the district. Geoghan said funds from Kennebunk and Kennebunkport may already be in that account, and it would be unfair to spend those funds without a contribution from Arundel. Geoghan also said the district employs too many teachers ”“ 14 more than the required number according to essential programs and services, he said.

“Were this retention of teachers improving our students’ grades, who could complain,” Geoghan said, “but what we have is a tremendous waste of resources.”

Arundel resident and former school board member Jon Renell said he thought too much money was in the system administration budget, at $1.3 million.

“There’s $77,000 for a contract negotiator,” Renell said. “It seems like an awful lot of money for someone to negotiate contracts.”

Renell said of the funds budgeted for legal fees, a negotiator and lobbyists, he thought $23,000 could be redirected to save a position in the library.

King said the district would be opening five contracts for negotiation and the board wanted the process to move quickly. Lobbyists and legal council are also very important to the district, she said.

Each article passed with overwhelming support, despite the concerns raised. Now voters will have the chance to validate the budget by referendum on May 19 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Arundel at the fire station, in Kennebunk at town hall and in Kennebunkport at the Village Fire Station. Voters will only be asked one question: To approve the budget adopted at Tuesday’s meeting.

— Staff Writer Robyn Burnham can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 329 or rburnham@gwi.net.