PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Despite low turnout in several district communities, SAD 1’s previously proposed budget of $26.5 million was passed by residents during a validation vote on Tuesday.
Presque Isle residents voted in favor of the budget 107 to 42. The second highest turnout occurred in Mapleton, with 48 residents voting in favor and 15 opposed. The budget passed more narrowly in Chapman, with 10 in favor and 9 opposed, and in Castle Hill with 11 in favor and seven opposed.
Westfield saw the lowest turnout, with four voting in favor and four opposed. But votes from the other four communities helped to give the budget 180 total votes in favor versus 77 total who were opposed.
The validation vote follows a district meeting in which the proposed budget passed unanimously among the school board and public. The total budget includes a 2.3 percent increase from the previous fiscal year, but marks the third straight year that education-related property taxes will not increase.
Voters also approved that SAD 1 keep the referendum process in place for the district’s budget for at least another three years, with a vote of 152 in favor and 101 opposed.
