BETHEL — School Administrative District 44 Superintendent David Murphy said all four towns passed the $10.6 million budget Tuesday.

Murphy said the spending plan for 2015-16, which is $97,097 more than 2014-15, was approved by nearly a 2-to-1 margin.

The result was a 271-137 vote. Bethel’s vote was 167-89; Greenwood’s, 23-8; Newry’s, 37-26; and Woodstock’s, 44-14.

Dozens of residents approved the budget at a public hearing May 26. Tuesday’s vote was to validate that amount.

The budget includes $79,838 more for student and staff support, including $71,800 for the first year of a four-year lease/purchase for sixth-grade and high school laptop replacements.

Special education went up by $176,939, to $1.10 million, compared to $923,061 this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Murphy said $115,000 of the increase is for out-of-district placements.

mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net

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