FARMINGTON — RSU 9 Superintendent Tom Ward outlined a budget timeline Tuesday night that leads to a referendum vote May 22.

A public hearing on the budget is set for May 13, a budget meeting vote on May 19, and a yes or no validation vote in each town on May 22.

Budget talks will begin with a budget presentation at 7 p.m. March 25 at The Forum at the Mt. Blue Campus on Seamon Road in Farmington.

Administrators will do a presentation on the proposal on March 27 and April 1 at Mt. Blue Campus. Public comment will be accepted during the April 1 meeting.

April 3 will be for public comment and board deliberation on the proposed spending plan.

Dates also set for more deliberation are April 15 and April 17.

Ward said he was not sure the board would need all the meetings but asked directors to set the dates aside just in case.

The board is expected to set the budget for 2014-15 on April 29 and sign warrants for the articles to go before voters on May 5.

Board members encouraged residents of the 10-town district to attend the meetings to get a better understanding of what is being proposed.

The district serves the towns of Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Starks, Temple, Vienna, Weld and Wilton.

dperry@sunjournal.com