Voter Kitty Hudson Smith, left, is pictured Tuesday at the polls with City Clerk Angela Holmes. Robert Lowell / American Journal
Westbrook voters Tuesday approved 404-283 a $47 million school spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Superintendent Peter Lancia said Wednesday the school district is thankful for the support of the community.
“Westbrook always puts children first, and this budget does that by providing opportunities for every child,” Lancia said.
“A lot of people participated in the budget development process this year. It was a very thorough process. I hope family and community members will continue to be involved, not only during budget season but throughout the school year,” he said.
The budget was up $3.2 million, or 7.4% from the current year. It increases the portion of the tax rate to support education from $10.09 per $1,000 of valuation to $10.91. The 82-cent increase would raise taxes on a home assessed at $400,000 by $328, from $4,036 to $4,364.
Turnout for the validation referendum was 688 voters, representing 4.6% of the city’s 14,915 registered voters. About 175 of those voters had cast ballots in person by 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, when City Clerk Angela Holmes was contemplating sending some election workers home as voting booths were vacant.
Kitty Hudson Smith came out on the rainy day to vote.
“I always vote for the school budget,” Smith said.
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