AUBURN — Residents showed overwhelming support for the school budget with a vote of 609-219 Tuesday.

The $64.5 million budget, which includes adult education, is roughly a 3% increase from last year’s $62.12 million.

Of the $64.5 million, taxpayers will fund just under $21 million.

The property tax rate for education is $8.44 per $1,000 of assessed value. That would translate to a $2,532 tax on a $300,000 home.

It does not include the city or county budgets.

Auburn City Clerk Emily Carrington had expected 4% of eligible voters to turn out for the election. With 830 voters, roughly 5% of eligible voters cast ballots in the election.

Phil Savignanon expressed his immense support for education in the community.

“I always think that the money spent on education is good money spent,” he said.

Savignanon said his father was a principal at Edward Little High School in the 1960s and his wife is a teacher. Given his family’s involvement in education, the issue has always been a concern for him, he said. “I like to keep an eye that (the budget) is not cut,” he added.

Savignanon prioritizes voting, noting that he tries to make it to every election.

“If you’re going to be part of a community, it’s your obligation to vote,” he said.

Dianne Callahan was somewhat disappointed at the low turnout at the polls, noting that she was only the 297th person to vote, including absentee voters.

She called her friends that morning and encouraged them to head to the polls, but thought that the rain was likely deterring many people, she said.

“I vote at all elections because I think it’s important to be civic minded,” she said.

Auburn Schools Superintendent Sue Dorris said the vote reflects the the School Committee, City Council and residents’ shared commitment to providing good education to students in the city.

“We are grateful to the voters for supporting the FY 2026 school budget,” she said. “It reflects our commitment to high-quality education, student success and responsible financial stewardship. This budget maintains current programs and services while positioning us to meet the needs of all students.”