PHILLIPS — Voters went to the polls in five towns to approve next year’s SAD 58 budget, but not all tallies reflected support for directors’ recommendations.

The towns of Avon, Eustis and Kingfield passed the budget by wide margins, but in Strong, 36 of the 64 voters voted against the $9.6 million proposal.

In Phillips, 33 of the 62 voters rejected the budget.

The budget passed with a total of 146 votes for, and 87 against.

Higher property values and taxes in Strong and Phillips required the towns to contribute a larger share to the school budget. Avon’s share stayed the same, and Eustis’ share has been capped by the state.

Directors decided to take some of the burden from taxpayers by taking a larger chunk from the surplus account.

In 2005-06, voters approved taking $400,000 from surplus, but this year, they approved taking $650,000 from the account. Conversely, the state’s allocation of $3.3 million for the district five years ago has been reduced to $2.6 million for 2011-12.

Superintendent Quenten Clark, during each of the budget sessions, has noted that state funding formulas are based on the number of students. In a rural district with fewer students each year, towns have had to pick up the difference.

Voting by town:

                   Yes             No         Total

Eustis             35              4            39

Phillips           29              33           62

Avon               23              2            25

Kingfield          31              12           43

Strong           28              36           64

Total             146              87          233 

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