BETHEL — Andover Elementary School will remain open for school year 2012-13, thanks to the SAD 44 directors voting 10-5 Tuesday night to accept $68,000 from the Andover Board of Selectmen.

The vote came after a recommendation from the SAD 44 Finance Committee to accept the funds.

“The town put forth an effort. It’s for one year and there’s a slight increase in enrollment,” Finance Committee Chairman Keith Smith, who represents Andover, said.

Residents of Andover last week voted overwhelmingly to raise $68,000 to keep the school open. That figure represents one $1 of the tax rate.

Andover selectmen decided $68,000 was sufficient to maintain the school and a “little bit more,” SAD 44 board Chairman Sidney Pew of Andover said.

Last year, Andover residents paid $214,000 to keep their school open, a figure board member Tim Akers said was too much on Andover taxpayers.

Among those who voted to accept the funds was Newry representative Deb Webster, who thanked Andover for its financial cooperation.

“If we don’t accept this tonight, the vote to close the school will come up again,” she said.

Woodstock representative Marcel Polak, who also supported accepting the payment, said Andover paid a significant part of the cost when the district came together because of taxes paid by the former satellite station.

“We’re in this together. I’ll vote for one year,” he said.

Bethel representative Roberta Taylor said she was concerned about a one-year agreement.

“There’s very little stability,” she said prior to voting against acceptance.

Greenwood representative Richard Melville said it was time to close the school.

“This will come up every year,” he said.

Prior to voting against accepting the funds, Bethel representative Lynn Arizzi said she would need more budget information before accepting Andover’s check.

Also voting against the recommendation were Bethel representatives Kate Botka and Carol Everett.

Superintendent David Murphy said the money from Andover, as well as $48,000 more in state aid than originally expected, and an increase in carryover, will be used to develop the final proposed 2012-13 budget.

He said that figure should be announced in late April or early May.

Although he said he expects the tax rate to increase, he doesn’t expect a significant hike.