LIVERMORE FALLS — The RSU 73 budget of $18.58 million for 2013-14 was approved by voters Tuesday, 306-250.

Jay passed it by a vote of 199-88, but the majority in Livermore Falls rejected it, 47-74, as did the majority in Livermore by a vote of 60-88.

By a vote of 367-179, all three towns approved of holding two more votes on the budget: one at a districtwide meeting and another to validate that figure at a referendum in their towns.

Jay residents will see a slight decrease in its school assessment this year, while Livermore and Livermore Falls will have slight increases.

The 2013-14 adopted budget is almost $10,000 less than the current school year operating budget.

Superintendent Robert Wall said Tuesday night that he and the board are pleased with the support given during this year’s budget process.

Each of the town’s clerks said the turnout was very low, with fewer than one in 10 eligible voters casting ballots Tuesday in at least two of the towns.

“The turnout could be interpreted as support for the budget,” Wall said.

The district is undertaking a $1.8 million construction project at Spruce Mountain High School, Spruce Mountain Middle School and the Jay Community Center so all high school students in Jay and Livermore Falls will be in one location for the coming school year.

The academic section of Spruce Mountain High School in Livermore Falls will be closed at the end of the current school year. However, the athletic fields, gym, cafeteria and other portions of the school will remain open for alternative uses.

Much of the funding that would have been spent to operate both high schools was used for academics.

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