BETHEL — Residents of the five towns in SAD 44 handily passed the budget of $9.9 million by the unofficial vote of 614-229.

The voting breakdown is: Andover, 65-38; Bethel, 334-116; Greenwood, 58-19; Newry, 41-18; and Woodstock, 116-38.

The budget is $261,969 more than year’s.

About 50 residents of the five district towns unanimously approved the proposed budget at a meeting at Telstar High School on May 29.

Murphy said the budget includes money for several positions that had been eliminated during the past few years or had been funded by federal dollars, or in the case of Woodstock Elementary School, funded by Patriot Renewables LLC which built an industrial wind farm in Woodstock.

The budget also ensures that Andover Elementary School remains open for school year 2012-13. Earlier this year, the board agreed to accept an additional payment of $68,000 from the town to keep the school open.