SALEM TOWNSHIP — Next year’s SAD 58 school budget passed Tuesday.

In Avon, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong, 155 residents went to the polls to vote in favor of SAD 58’s $9 million budget, while 103 voted against it.

Polls closed at 6 p.m. in all four towns. One of the two warrant articles asked citizens to ratify the $9 million budget approved at a recent public hearing. Voters were asked on a second article to approve or reject the option to continue this two-step budget process of a district-wide hearing, followed by a vote in each town. Voters also could choose to have the hearing and the budget vote in a single meeting. Tuesday’s voters approved continuing the existing system by a vote of 159-96.

In Avon, 22 voters approved the budget, with only 9 in opposition, according to Town Clerk Mary Dunham.

“They approved it, but you could see people were upset,” she said.

At last Thursday’s meeting at Mt. Abram High School, voters directed the seven board members and Superintendent Brenda Stevens to trim $190,000 from the original $9.2 million proposal. The resulting cuts to transportation, student and staff support, system administration and school administration reflected their dissatisfaction.

Voters had protested at the hearing that taxpayers were unable to pay for added positions and additional costs. Although discussion targeted the board’s decision to hire a full-time social worker, pay expensive legal costs and restore a full-time principal to each school, directors can choose how to absorb and redistribute the $190,000 in specific cuts within transportation, student and staff support and administration.

Stevens emphasized to district voters that the board’s initial budget was $257,000 lower than last year. This is the first budget year without Eustis, which will begin as a stand-alone district on July 1. State subsidies are lower, which adds to the total revenue drop.

SAD 58 budget vote for 2013-14, by town:             

Avon: 22-7
Kingfield: 40-36              
Phillips: 33-29                                
Strong: 60-31