Voters Tuesday approved Regional School Unit 5’s budget for 2014, but soundly defeated a proposed expansion of Freeport High School that would have raised taxes dramatically in two of the district’s three towns.

Durham and Pownal voters rejected the proposed $27 million district budget by a combined margin of almost twoto one. But Freeport voters passed the item with enough of a differential — 1,833 in favor, 620 opposed — to carry the districtwide majority.

But voters in the two rural towns so vehemently rejected the proposed $17 million school expansion that even a relatively comfortable 700- vote margin in Freeport didn’t hold.

If passed, the expansion would have raised Durham’s property taxes by more than 10 percent. In Pownal, the effect on individual property tax bills is uncertain, according to Town Clerk Scott Seaver, because the town’s valuation has yet to be set for the coming year.

Seaver said the project would have increased the town’s gross budget by 6.8 percent.

Nelson Larkins, chairman of the RSU 5 Board of Directors, said he was relieved that the budget passed but disappointed at the renovation’s defeat.

“Even with a ‘no’ vote, it doesn’t change the fact that there are significant needs at the high school in terms of renovations,” Larkins said.

“People are concerned about any kind of tax increase, but we can’t stand still. We have to figure out a place to put these kids and a way to keep the school building running.”

District officials expect enrollment at the high school alone to grow by 90 students by 2024. At that point, the existing building would be 63 years old.

The scuttled proposal would have increased the school’s classroom capacity by 31,000 square feet, added an eight-lane running track and enlarged the library.

A less extensive expansion or renovation is still possible.

“If we don’t do something, we’ll have to spend money in the future directly out of the budget on something like trailers or putting kids in additional places. We’re going to end up spending a lot more money in upkeep rather than on new facilities.”

RSU 5 VOTING AT A GLANCE

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