Lewiston councilors set new date for school budget vote after residents reject it

May 15—LEWISTON — Councilors voted unanimously at their special meeting Wednesday to hold a school budget validation revote Tuesday, June 11. There was little discussion among councilors during the roughly 10-minute meeting. Because it is also primary day, residents will vote by ward.

Voters rejected the proposed $111.47 million school budget Tuesday by a vote of 743-395. The proposed budget is 9.3% higher than the current school year's budget at $101.99 million. Councilors had previously approved the school budget.

Residents casting ballots at the Gov. Longley Elementary School were asked if they thought the budget was too high, acceptable or too low. A total of 754 said it was too high, 241 said it was acceptable and 130 said it was too low.

Some who would not normally vote on the budget sad they were drawn to the polls this year because they felt the proposal would raise property taxes even higher.

Others voted in favor to support teachers and students, and felt the community needs to invest in schools.

Tuesday night after the results were released, Lewiston Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais said administrators will adapt. The School Committee will likely meet Monday to look at the budget again but as of Wednesday night, no meeting had been scheduled.

"There are a lot of factors but at the end of the day the kids come first and that will be how we center our work for in this phase," he said.

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