Raymond students will continue to attend the high school of their choice after residents voted 1,923-788 Tuesday to maintain school choice, even while voting by a similar margin to consolidate school districts with the Windham district.

At the same time Raymond residents were choosing Windham as their partner in education by a margin of 1,809-901, Windham voters were also approving the consolidation plan, by a tally of 6,517-2,502.

In other local referendums, Windham voted 6,880-1,905 to move municipal elections from June to November, and Gray residents approved by 2,451-2,045 a $2.4 million bond to renovate the historic Pennell Institute building for use as municipal offices.

It was the school choice question that was on the minds of most Raymond voters as they left the polls Tuesday at Jordan Small Middle School. The vote came on the same ballot as the school consolidation question, and many supporters of choice felt it was a way to maintain some control while merging with a larger school district. Opponents of choice argued if Raymond were going to join with Windham for education, they should join all the way.

“We have two children, and I like that I have the choice. I would like to keep that choice,” said Melissa Ayers, who voted Tuesday afternoon with her husband, Jason. They will soon be making the school choice for their 13-year-old daughter.

“She does want to go to Windham because that’s where all her friends go. But I want that choice,” Ayers said.

Diana Wing, who voted to do away with high school choice, said her daughter has benefitted greatly from Windham High School.

“It’s been wonderful for her, and they open their arms for Raymond students,” she said.

Abby Davis, who voted for choice, said Raymond should hold on to that ability until residents see where consolidation is going.

“Until it plays out, there are too many unknown factors,” she said.

Parents in Raymond have for at least the last decade been allowed to send students to the area high school of their choice. Currently, more than 60 percent of Raymond’s 250 high school students attend Windham High School. The rest go to a number of other local schools, including Westbrook, Gray-New Gloucester and North Yarmouth Academy.

At the May 28 town meeting, residents voted to cap the tuition rate paid by the town to the amount charged by Windham High School. Last year’s tuition rate at Windham was around $7,300 per student. Due to the decision, any amount incurred by a student above that rate would have to be covered by the student’s parents.

With consolidation between Windham and Raymond schools now approved, the districts will begin the nuts and bolts work of the merger. A new board representing the Windham-Raymond school unit will be elected in January and take power June 1, and it will be that board’s duty to establish educational policy.

Current contracts will have to be honored, and the new school unit will renegotiate contracts as they expire. Duplicative positions could be cut as time progesses, as could duplicative departments, such as transportation or food service.

Also after the election, Gray residents have a better idea of the future of the municipal buildings.

When renovated, Pennell Institute will house the town offices, council chambers and likely the Gray Historical Society, which currently has its offices in Pennell. Under the plan, other municipal properties, including the current town office, would be placed on the market, and proceeds from the sales would be used to pay down the bond.

The $2.4 million, 30-year bond would raise the average Gray property tax bill by about $37.50. That amount could decrease as the town experiences more development or town-owned property such as the Village Fire Station is sold.

As a result of Tuesday’s voting, Windham will now elect town councilors and the town clerk during the November elections. Supporters said even the least compelling November election draws more voters than a heated June vote, and as many residents as possible should decide who fills the municipal positions. Opponents said state and federal elections held in November will likely overshadow local candidates.