WALES – About midnight, Oak Hill Community School District voters approved adding nearly $1.4 million to the 2007-08 budget.

More than 350 people debated the issue late into the night.

School board Chairman Robert English said the money was necessary.

“I ask voters to believe this is the minimum amount necessary to provide an education to the children of these three towns.”

By a vote of 50-43 on May 8, voters cut $332,991 in additional local funds from the district’s $6 million-plus spending plan. They voted Wednesday for a $5.8 million budget.

That prompted the 13-member board, which represents Litchfield, Sabattus and Wales, to call for a revote because so few of the thousands of voters participated.

The board requested $1,482,900 for expenses not covered by the state’s Essential Programs and Services standards.

Some voters were upset that the board had exercised its authority for a revote.

“Why are we here voting on the same thing?” one person asked.

Many alternative amounts were suggested by voters, but a consensus was not reached by late Wednesday.