LEWISTON — The $130 million proposed school budget failed at the ballot on Tuesday, with residents expressing their frustration at rising taxes and increased spending.

In a day featuring brisk turnout for a school referendum, 1,463 residents voted against the budget, with 1,092 in favor.

Most of the voters — 1,509 — said the proposal was too high; another 606 said it was acceptable, while 409 said it was too low.

The turnout far exceeds last year’s vote, and even beat out 2024, when more than 2,200 residents showed up to pass a budget on the third try.

“This is probably the busiest school budget (vote) we’ve had,” Kathy Montejo, city clerk, said Tuesday morning.

By 10:30 a.m., Montejo had distributed almost 600 ballots to tables at the Longley School gymnasium, where all voting was held. 

She estimates that within a few hours of polls opening at 7 a.m., at least 500 residents had already come through to vote on the $129.71 million proposed budget. Voting concluded at 8 p.m.

This year’s budget represents a 10% increase over the current year’s spending plan, driven by rising costs in special education, utilities and insurance rates. Still, it eliminates 26 positions.

In addition, the vote comes just weeks after Lewiston residents received new property revaluations for the first time in nearly 40 years. The new values won’t be implemented for a year, but they were certainly front of mind Tuesday.

“People are not going to be able to stay in their homes,” said one voter, who rushed out of the polls and declined to give her name.

Another voter, Jack Clifford, said the budget is too high with no explanation. 

Bruce Sutherland voted no because, he said, the quality of the schools doesn’t measure up. 

“We are not getting our money’s worth,” he said. 

Other voters, like Hamiso Ibrahim, agree that the budget is high, but say it’s needed to support Lewiston’s students and teachers.

“It includes what teachers need to provide services to children,” she said. 

Norm LaPointe voted the same way, with teachers in mind. 

“I think they need it,” he said. “They need more money to do their job and to do it well.”

Tracey Miller always votes yes on the school budget, she said, because she supports the work that the school committee does. The proposed school budget was approved by the school committee and city council a few weeks ago.

“I trust their judgment,” Miller said.

The school committee’s next meeting is Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Green Ladle at 156 East Ave.