The second time was not a charm for the $31.21 million school budget. It was voted down May 25 at referendum by 35 votes. The end result? 1,502 "no" votes to 1,467 "yes" votes.
The $14.28 million town budget passed by a vote of 1,494 to 1,477, a difference of 17 votes.
Due to the failure of the school vote, a third referendum will be held June 8. A public hearing on the reduced school budget will be held June. 1.
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Immediately following the close of the polls at 8pm and the announcement of the results, the Board of Finance held an emergency meeting.
In a vote of four to two, a motion passed to cut an additional $100,000 from the school budget prior to the third referendum.
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Last week, the Board of Finance cut the $14.53 million town budget and $31.55 school budget at their May 16 meeting. They held a public hearing May 18 on the matter.
In the May 11 referendum, voters rejected both budgets by a vote of 1,432 to 903 (town budget) and 1,413 to 924 (school budget).
Both referendum ballots had just those two questions.
The school budget will return for a third referendum.
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