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Cape Elizabeth voters passed a $38.7 million school budget by a vote of 2,767 to 1,001.

The budget represents a 8.37% increase in the school portion of the tax rate, and the overall city tax rate is estimated to increase by 7.13%, according to Town Manager Pat Fox.

The Town Council and school board unanimously voted to support this budget earlier this spring. 

The school department navigated increasing labor and insurance costs while receiving $162,000 less state funding than expected, according to Superintendent Chris Record.

There were no educational program cuts or reductions in any filled positions, he said.  

Serena and Mark Casey, who both grew up in Cape Elizabeth and moved back 40 years ago, said that the school budget is acceptable but too high as they left the polls at Cape Elizabeth High School midway through Election Day. 

“People are always going to complain,” Mark Casey said. “I’m fine with supporting the schools. It’s a good investment in the community, and it’s a good investment in your property value.”