The Regional School Unit 56 budget failed to pass Tuesday for a third time this year by a vote of 424 yes to 479 no.

Results were: Dixfield, 199-181; Carthage, 29-59; Canton, 83-27; and Peru, 113-212.

“Although the failure of the budget is disappointing, I have complete faith in the staff and communities to continue to put students first, Superintendent Pam Doyen said.

“RSU 56 is committed to providing a quality education for our students. The administrative team and school board will begin work on a fourth-round budget,” she said.

The board of directors opted to stay with the $12.9 million proposal rejected in July by a vote of 314-301 in the four towns. It represents a 5% increase over the 2018-19 budget and an average 15.6% increase in town assessments.

The board stuck with the 5% increase because “they felt strongly that moving below the 5% budget-to-budget increase would seriously compromise the integrity of our programs,” Doyen said during a budget hearing last week.

The first budget proposal of $13.27 million in June represented an 8% increase from last year’s budget and an average increase in town assessments of nearly 23%. Voters rejected it 485-343.

During the budget hearing and vote last week some voters questioned how people would be able to afford their homes if the budget keeps rising, while others said the 5% increase was needed to support the schools and give students a good education.

Mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

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