PHILLIPS – Voters in SAD 58 overwhelmingly approved a $9.25 million school spending plan for fiscal 2008 at the polls in five towns Tuesday

The package represents a decrease of $250,000 or 2.63 percent from the current $9.5 million budget.

Avon voters approved all articles by more than a 3-1 margin, except for Question 3, which passed 34-13. Question 3 asked voters to raise and appropriate $687,966.63 in additional local funds, which exceeded the state’s Essential Programs and Services allocation model by $143,070.65. The latter funds were needed to pay for educational services not covered in the funding formula, according to the ballot.

Eustis residents passed all questions pertaining to the school budget, with four of those articles approved by about a 4-to-1 margin. The closest vote in that town was Question 5, which was approved 36-14. The article asked voters to appropriate $73,000 for adult education and adult basic education and raise $25,000 as the local share.

Townspeople in Kingfield approved all school questions by a wide margin. The closest vote was on Question 3, approved by a 51-20 vote.

Phillips voters approved all school questions by more than 30 votes with the exception of Question 3, which passed 55-36.

Strong approved all articles by more than a 2-to-1 margin with the exception of Question 3 that passed 71-43.

The district is expected to receive about $208,000 more in state subsidy, bringing the amount to $3.95 million since voters agreed to raise $2.1 million to match it, according to Superintendent Quenten Clark’s figures.