Voters handily approved Gorham’s $57.5 million school spending plan Tuesday 2,083 to 1,879, a 204-vote margin.

The town also favored keeping the budget validation referendum process in place 2,748 to 1,170.

“We would like to thank everyone who came out to vote yesterday,” said Superintendent Heather Perry. “The annual school budget validation referendum is always such a great example to our students of how a democracy is supposed to function. We look forward to another great year of providing high-quality education to our community.”

Unopposed on the ballot, voters returned Jaci Reynolds to the School Committee until November. Reynolds was appointed earlier this year to fill a vacancy until the June election.

Reynolds garnered 2,579 voted compared to 379 write-ins.

Gorham’s approved spending plan rises $4 million, or 7.6% over the present $53.5 budget, which narrowly survived a recount by two votes a year ago.

Resident Ben Tuttle, a founding member of Gorham Watchdogs, spearheaded an opposition campaign against school spending in town. Tuttle created a social media blitz on Facebook, X and Tik Tok and signs posted round town urged a “No” vote.

The school department countered with a town-wide bulk mailing and widely posted school supporters’ signs indicated love for the schools.

Gorham has struggled to pass school budgets in recent years.

In 2023, Gorham voters rejected two versions of the school budget before approving a third. Last year, the budget was approved on the first try, but by only after a recount determined it passed by two votes.