ANDOVER — By a vote of 131-115 Tuesday, residents gave final approval to a nearly $1.5 million budget for the Andover School Department.

The department serves 88 students in grades K-12.

Town Clerk Melinda Averill said late Tuesday evening that residents also voted to continue the annual budget validation process for three years. That tally was 131-114.

Residents voted last year to leave School Administrative District 44 and establish their own school department. Newry is exploring possibly following Andover’s lead. The other district towns are Bethel, Greenwood and Woodstock.

Andover formally leaves SAD 44 on Wednesday.

The School Board subcontracted all of the school’s financial matters, such as payroll and accounts receivable, to SAD 51 in Cumberland for $25,000. Approval of the budget means the school will receive about $200,000 for its state subsidy.

tkarkos@sunmediagroup.net

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