The voters in Auburn and SAD 17 spoke loudly during Tuesday’s special elections.

New schools were approved in each district by a large margin. In Auburn, a proposal to replace Lake Street School passed by a huge margin, 1,646-534. A new elementary school in Paris also passed easily.

Both localities will take advantage of state funding to build new elementary schools. The state aid limits the direct financial impact on the communities. The state will pay about 84 percent of the estimated $9.7 million price for the Auburn school and about 95 percent of $12 million school in Paris.

Turnout was better than expected and school advocates showed that they could marshal their supporters for a special election. Many people worked hard to advance these projects, and their communities should be grateful.

The new Auburn school will serve 350 students in kindergarten through sixth grade while the new Paris school will have room for 450 students.

Voters also supported adding on to each project. Auburn’s new school with have a larger gymnasium and air conditioning. Those additions are expected to cost about $635,000. The Paris school also will be air-conditioned, at an additional installation cost of $607,000.

In the end, voters recognized a simple truth. They needed the new schools and had an opportunity to take advantage of significant state aid. They made the right choices.