BETHEL – Voters of SAD 44 on Tuesday approved a $9.67 million budget by more than a 2-1 margin.

Only Newry voted against the 2009-10 spending plan, by one vote, 20-21.

Altogether, voters in the school district towns cast 370 ballots in favor and 172 against. The Bethel tally was 199-86; Andover, 53-19; Greenwood, 31-23; and Woodstock, 67-23.

Superintendent David Murphy said passage of the budget was the second good thing to happen to his district Tuesday. Earlier in the day, he had learned from Maine Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron that SAD 44 will not be required to partner with another district.

“We can look down the road and focus on the issues specific to the district. I’ll be able to spend more time in the buildings,” he said.

The budget does not include about $285,000 in federal stimulus money.

Although it is about $600,000 less than the 2008-09 budget, the tax rate in all towns but Andover will rise because of the new state valuations.

To arrive at a reduction of more than a half-million dollars, a number of cuts or reductions had to be made. These included elimination of an elementary teaching position, a high school English position, a secretary at the central office, the stipends for the Crescent Park Elementary School wing leaders, the 4 p.m. late bus run, and a reduction to half of the industrial arts position.