STACYVILLE – Although there was some resistance, voters in the four towns that make up SAD 25 passed a $4.5 million budget for the coming school year by four votes.

SAD 25 Superintendent John Doe said Wednesday that the June 26 vote passed, 76-72.

The district consists of Stacyville, Sherman Station, Mount Chase and Patten.

This year’s budget is up 4 percent over last year due mostly to higher costs for oil, diesel and electricity, according to Doe.

The most resistance to the budget’s adoption came from Sherman, where voters opposed it, 36-21. In Patten, voters opposed it, 29-28.

Taxpayers in Stacyville voted 16-6 in favor of adoption, and Mount Chase residents voted 11-1 in favor.

“We are very happy that the budget was passed and that we can move forward,” Doe said Wednesday.

The recent vote was the final step in a two-step process that has resulted from the new school consolidation law. All school budgets first must be presented in a line-item format to be voted on at a budget meeting. Once approved, the budget goes to a referendum.

jlbdn@ainop.com

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