DURHAM – Voters gave final approval for a $5.5 million school budget in a referendum Tuesday. The vote was 93-23.

Initially adopted April 5, the budget included locally raised funds that exceeded the state’s essential programs and services guidelines. After all revenues are deducted, the amount to be raised by taxes is $2,470,000.

The validation by referendum ballot is a requirement of the new school consolidation law.

The “yes” vote allows the additional funds approved by voters at town meeting to be raised for K-12 education. A “no” vote would have required the School Committee to present a new budget at a special town meeting, and would have required another referendum.

Only 116 out of more than 3,000 registered voters turned out to cast written ballots.