The Yarmouth Town Council has adopted a $36 million combined town and school budget that will be sent to voters for ratification next month.
Opponents of a proposed $1 million increase to the town’s school budget organized against the budget and asked councilors to force a school budget reduction.
Councilors voted 5-1 Thursday, with Councilor Pat Thompson opposed, to adopt the spending plan. Approximately 30 people spoke at a public hearing on the budget Thursday and the vast majority spoke in favor of the budget, according to Town Manager Nathaniel Tupper.
The $23.1 million school budget is about 5 percent larger than last year. The increase is driven by a growing school population, rising employee costs and new supplies, equipment and technology. Critics argued that school spending is out of control. According to town officials, the increase in spending is offset by more state funding and the town’s tax rate will actually decrease next year.
Residents will vote on the budget at Town Meeting June 7, then vote on the school budget again in a referendum on June 14.
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