DIXFIELD — Regional School Unit 56 passed a revised budget of $12.95 million by a unanimous vote of 59 voters from the towns of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield and Peru.

There was no discussion on any of the 15 articles on the warrant at the meeting at Dirigo High School on Thursday night.

In June, voters rejected a $13.2 million budget, which increased tax assessments by an average of more than 20 percent.

Earlier this month, Maine state funding allotted an additional subsidy of $275,000 to be shared by the schools and towns, and that amount along with cuts made by the RSU helped to bring the four towns’ average increase in assessments to less than 12 percent.

The estimated annual tax increase provided by each town office on a home valued at $100,000 based on the proposed school budget is Canton, $60; Carthage, $52.19; Dixfield, $175; and Peru, $100 to $120.

An article requiring a written ballot to see if the towns would raise $1.92 million in additional local funds passed by a vote of 54-5.

“I think that (with) the additional money from the state and our additional cuts, they feel it’s reasonable for this year,” school Board Chairwoman Barbara Chow said after the vote. “I’m very hopeful, positive. I think this budget will pass and we can move forward and get going,” 

A budget validation referendum will be held Aug. 8 at the Canton Town Office from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; at the Carthage Town Office from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; in Dixfield at the American Legion from noon to 8 p.m.; and at the Peru Town Office from noon to 7 p.m.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

Dixfield resident Jessica Swan votes on an article that required a written ballot at RSU 56’s second budget meeting this summer at Dirigo High School on Thursday night. The $12.95 million budget passed unanimously and goes to a referendum vote Aug. 8.