Voters in SAD 17 approved the proposed $36.5 million school budget for fiscal 2009-10 on Tuesday.

“It reflects the citizens’ support of the hard work the Budget Committee did to bring this in at zero percent increase overall,” said Superintendent Mark Eastman of the unofficial 1,353 to 546 vote.

Action on the referendum question was necessary under state law to reaffirm the unanimous approval by about 75 voters during the June 4 budget meeting. That decision was reached without debate.

Paris voters gave the nod to the new budget by a 647-288 vote. Norway voters also gave the go-ahead with a 168-49 vote; in Oxford, the vote was 163-90; and in Harrison, 233-88.

In towns with only the budget question on the ballot, the counting was done in quick measure.

In West Paris, it was 33-13.

“We counted it in six minutes flat,” said West Paris Town Manager and Town Clerk John White.

In Waterford, 24-4; Hebron, 28-2; Otisfield, 57-12.

The $36.5 million spending package is a 1.21 percent increase from last fiscal year’s budget. Although some towns will see a decrease or increase in their annual assessment based on the new budget, school officials said there is an overall local increase.

The budget includes money for a new teaching position to address a significant increase in the grade two population, the addition of a behavioral intervention program at Oxford Elementary School and the expansion of a Life Skills program at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

It also includes money to implement a math intervention program at all grade levels and reinstates elementary summer school.