VASSALBORO — Town voters approved the $6.6 million school budget Thursday during a special election.

The 120-29 vote tally means the budget can now go into effect Sunday, which is the start of the new fiscal year.

The election was held later than normal because the school budget ratification question was mistakenly left off the June 12 primary election ballot. Officials scrambled to hold another vote and even voiced concerns that not enough people — at least 125 — would show up for the second vote to be valid.

Vassalboro is part of Alternative Organizational Structure 92, which includes Waterville and Winslow. Voters in each municipality approve or reject school budgets in separate votes while sharing expenses for a superintendent’s office and other administrative expenses.

At the annual Town Meeting on June 11, there were few questions about the school budget, which is lower than the current spending plan but will result in a tax increase because of less state funding.

It’s estimated the budget will increase taxes by $1 per $1,000 of property valuation, which will change the rate from $10 to $11.

Superintendent Eric Haley said the town is getting $467,146 less in state funding.


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