The total number of votes in the six towns that make up RSU 57 was more than enough to approve the $44/.6 million spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1, even though one town rejected the budget and there was a tie vote in another community. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune

YORK COUNTY – With all six towns reporting, voters in RSU 57 Tuesday approved the $44.6 million school budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Overall, unofficial tallies in the district that includes Alfred, Limerick, Lyman, Newfield, Shapleigh and Waterboro show the budget was approved 1,196 to 606.

One community, Newfield, rejected the spending plan 25 to 83; and in Limerick, the vote was evenly split 58 to 58.

Of the $44.6 million spending plan that includes the general fund and adult education, the six towns together will contribute about $26.4 million, a $902,000, or 3.54 percent increase from the current year. The estimated state subsidy to the general fund is around $15.1 million; the district uses $2.4 million from its fund balance, and receives other revenues in smaller amounts.

In RSU 57, each municipality’s financial responsibility is based 50 percent on enrollment and 50 percent on the state’s valuation of the community. Statistics show that Newfield, with a statistical gain of 1.5 students and Waterboro, with a gain of 23, were the only communities of the six adding students. In all, enrollment for RSU 57 is 2,980, down 30 from the prior year.

With passage of the new budget. Alfred will contribute $3 million, up $48,874, or 1.66 percent from the current year. Limerick will pay an estimated $3.39 million, up $150,692, or 4.65 percent more; Lyman will contribute $4.89 million, up $134,606, or 2.83 percent; Newfield will contribute $2 million, up $67,171 or 3.46 percent and Shapleigh, $4 million, up $59,159 or 1.47 percent. Waterboro, the largest of the six communities, will contribute $9 million, up $442,346, or 5.17 percent from the current year.

Voters in the six communities agreed to continue the validation referendum for another three years, 1.304 to 485. All six communities voted in favor.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.