South Portland voters approved the school district’s $73.1 million budget at the polls on Tuesday by a vote of 1,555 to 987.
Voters also decided to continue the school budget referendum process for another three years, 1,818 votes to 706.
The budget, packing a 6.1% tax increase, is roughly $4 million more than last year.
Early budget discussions were met with swift opposition from community members and school staff as plans to lay off more than 20 employees to save $5 million surfaced. The final proposal eliminates just nine full-time equivalent positions.
Superintendent Tim Matheney announced his resignation last week, citing friction with the school board during the budget process.
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