Tom Jessen, right, of Temple casts his vote Thursday morning in the RSU 9 yes or no validation referendum on a proposed $33.9 million budget as Warden Sue Cantrell looks on at the Temple Town Office. Temple is one of 10 towns holding the referendum. 

FARMINGTON — With two towns reporting results early Thursday night, the Regional School Unit 9 proposed $33.9 million school budget was passing 254-164.

New Sharon residents approved the proposal by a vote of 204-95 while Temple voters rejected it by a vote of 50-69.

The budget represents a $1.18 million increase over last year and factors in an additional $729,954 in state education aid. Of that amount, $378,165 was used to reduce tax assessments to towns and $165,018 was used to lower the proposed amount that would have to be borrowed through a bond for capital improvement projects. Voters approved a $317,834 capital project June 13.

It is the second attempt to get a budget passed. The first proposal of $33.89, about $1.14 million more than last year, failed by a vote of 1,458 to 1,643 on June 13.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net