The Town Council on Monday night adopted a third proposed school budget of $19.8 million, setting a town-wide validation vote for Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at Cape Elizabeth High School.

Voters may also vote by absentee ballot Aug. 19-29 at the Town Hall during normal business hours.

The $19.8 million budget represents a 5.3 percent increase over the 2007-2008 school budget, and is midway between the 4.3 percent increase voters rejected as too low and the 6 percent increase voters rejected as too high.

If approved, the 5.3 percent increase would add 55 cents to the town’s tax rate, bringing the total tax increase to 98 cents per $1,000, or about 6 percent.

The Sept. 2 validation ballot will ask residents whether they favor approving the 5.3 percent budget (yes or no) and whether they think the $19.8 million is too high, too low or acceptable. The second question is advisory only.