TOPSHAM — Voters across Maine School Administrative District 75 approved a $42.1 million spending plan at the polls Tuesday, which will raise taxes an estimated 11%.

According to unofficial election results Topsham voters backed the budget 519-301. With 820 ballots cast, Topsham had a voter turnout of 11%. The budget passed in Bowdoinham where 225 voters said “yes” to the budget. Only 88 voters marked “no.” Harpswell voters supported the proposal 197-126.  In Bowdoin, the school budget was also passed with a vote of 123-53.

The school board initially pitched a $41.5 million spending plan, which included $500,000 for additional teacher salaries. That level of spending was expected to increase overall taxes in the district an estimated 8.5%. But residents who turned out at a May 23 meeting voted to add another $600,000 to the budget to further boost salaries. 

The district’s teachers union, the Merrymeeting Teachers Association, is still in negotiations with the district to renew a three-year contract. The association has argued teacher salaries have fallen far behind what teachers make in neighboring school districts, particularly for more experienced teachers.

“We appreciate this sign of confidence and we intend to continue to make the community proud of the great work our educators are doing with kids,” said Nicole Karod, president-elect of the teachers association, in an email Tuesday night.

Broken down by town, taxes will increase an estimated $161 for a typical Bowdoin home assessed at $117,600; $224 for a typical Bowdoinham home assessed at $180,000; $253 for a Harpswell home assessed at $434,000 and $190 for a typical Topsham home valued at $209,000.

Voters in MSAD 75 also voted to continue the budget validation referendum process for another three years. If the question has been voted down, the school board’s budget proposal would be adopted without going to the polls.

dmoore@timesrecord.com