SABATTUS – Following contentious debate, residents at Saturday’s town meeting adopted a $5.5 million school budget after initially rejecting a higher amount.

The School Board’s request for a $6 million budget was voted down in favor of the $5.5 million figure recommended by both the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee. The state’s Essential Programs and Services will provide $569,273 to cover basic educational needs.

School officials requested an additional $732,298 to pay for school costs not covered by EPS. This additional money was earmarked to maintain low student-teacher ratios, increase the budget for extracurricular and technology education, and address the rising cost of heating and electricity. Residents voted against the request, favoring instead a $163,025 contribution recommended by selectmen and the Budget Committee.

Residents attributed many of their financial decisions to rising property taxes in the area.

Voters passed Article 48, which determined the amount the town will provide as its contribution to funding education. A decision to provide $1,071,629 assures that the town will receive the full amount of state funding available.

The Police Department budget was passed, although $15,000 below what police officials had requested. Voters also decided that $12,500 requested for a new police cruiser would have to wait until the need was more vital.

The Fire Department was granted the requested budget of $127,728. The department’s Fire Truck and Equipment replacement escrow received $30,000 out of a requested $50,000.