In a 4-3 vote, the Cape Elizabeth School Board narrowly passed a pared-down $19.9 million school budget March 11.

If approved by Town Council and voters, and if state revenues remain at their projected levels, the budget would mean a 6.65 percent increase in property taxes, or an additional $196.70 on a $250,000 home.

The board compromised on a 6 percent budget increase after a board member Trish Bingham’s motion for a 7.5 percent increase failed, 3-4.

A 6 percent increase in the budget is expected to translate into a 6.65 percent increase local school taxes in Cape Elizabeth.

“(A) 7.5 percent (increase) would have included a little bit of innovation, classroom materials, supplies, something toward technology,” said board member Karen Burke, who supported Bingham’s motion. “I think the 6 percent is not ideal, that it really keeps us more in maintenance mode, that it doesn’t take us to the next level.”

Board member Rebecca Millett also voted for the proposed 7.5 percent increase. Board members Peter Cotter, Linda Winker, Jack Kennealy and Chairman Kathy Roy opposed. Cotter, Winker and Roy indicated they would not support an increase of more than 5.2 percent, the amount necessary to meet contractual obligations and energy cost increases.

Ultimately, Millett, Burke, Bingham and Kennealy supported the 6 percent increase, with the other three board members voting no.

Some board members expressed frustration with the budgeting process, which began when Superintendent Alan Hawkins, at the board’s direction, presented a “needs-based” budget proposal with a 13.28 percent increase in January.

Board members said they did not expect so great an increase to be approved by the Town Council, voters or the school board itself, but they wanted to get a more accurate picture of what the schools really needed.

In the end, however, the board ended up doing the same thing it does every year, Cotter said – voting on percentages, not programs.

“I’m not happy with the budget process whatsoever,” Cotter said. “And it is frustrating. It’s the same process every year, of dealing with percentages and not the meat of the budget.”

He said he expects Town Council will lower the budget by another percentage point or two before it goes to voters. The council has historically done so, and this year has set a percentage increase target of no more than 4.3 percent for town departments and the schools.

Town Councilor James Rowe, Finance Committee chairman, said town it was “a little early to comment” on whether the council would accept a 6 percent increase.

“I know what the issues are – you’re trying to do the best for your kids and at the same time it has to take place within an economic framework,” he said. “I think their work has demonstrated some sensitivity to the economic conditions but I don’t think we’re done working on it.”

Other council members declined to comment on the budget, saying they have not yet reviewed it.

The town Finance Committee will review the school budget April 1. A public hearing on the entire municipal budget is slated for Monday, May 12, with budget adoption set for a special meeting May 27.