Nearly 3,400 voters in Arundel, Kennebunkport and Kennebunk rejected all but one question in a referendum Tuesday on Regional School Unit 21.

Despite its approval in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, the district’s $35.7 million budget was rejected. The budget called for a 1.9 percent spending increase over the current year, which ends June 30.

Residents also were asked whether they would support a $1.2 million buyout of the district’s contract with Thornton Academy Middle School in Saco. Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said the buyout would let Arundel students choose between Thornton Academy and Kennebunk’s middle school. He estimated that the district would recover the $1.2 million and save $500,000 over the next five years if the buyout was approved.

Kennebunkport residents supported the buyout by three votes, but the majority in Arundel and Kennebunk voted against it.

The district’s contract with Thornton Academy is set to expire in 2016.

Also before voters was a proposal to change the cost sharing for the district’s three towns. Despite its approval by residents in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, the proposal was defeated by 71 votes.

Voters did approve borrowing as much as $1.6 million from the state’s Revolving Renovation Fund Program for renovations at Middle School of the Kennebunks and Kennebunk High School.

Staff Writer Emma Bouthillette can be contacted at 791-6325 or at: ebouthillette@pressherald.com

 

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