Maine School Administrative District 17’s $54.4 million budget was approved by voters Tuesday, 3,603 to 2,440.

Seven of the eight district towns favored the spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1. The exception was West Paris, which rejected the budget by just two votes.

In all, 6,043 residents cast ballots.

The results by town were: Harrison 543-352; Hebron 208-92; Norway 857-461; Otisfield 363-209; Oxford 510-420; Paris 737-538; Waterford 277-168; and West Paris 198-200.

Voters exiting the polls who opposed the budget gave three general reasons for their decision. Some said they no longer, or have never, had children in the district. A few indicated they vote against public education expenditures on principle.

About half said they appreciate that SAD 17 worked to keep the new budget flat, but oppose plans to cut five educators while adding two administrative positions.

One new position, a payroll administrator, has already been filled using SAD 17’s contingency account.

The second position is for a safety coordinator who will be responsible for managing the district’s and public safety agencies’ responses to active threats and emergencies.

SAD 17 has 3,019 students, according to the 2026 district budget publication sent to voters. There are nine schools, multiple facilities sites, athletic fields, administrative offices, and special and adult ed locations.

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