BETHEL — Residents of School Administrative District 44 voted Tuesday against changing the cost-sharing formula for the four member towns.
The formula, which is based 100 percent on valuation, will stand.
The proposed change, reportedly aimed at preventing Newry from withdrawing from the district, would have resulted in a tax increase for Bethel, Greenwood and Woodstock residents, and a tax decrease for Newry residents.
The proposed formula would have been based on 90 percent valuation and 10 percent student enrollment for fiscal years 2017-18 and 2019-20, and 85 percent valuation and 15 percent student enrollment thereafter.
Jim Sysko, chairman of the Newry Withdrawal Committee, said at a public hearing in October that Newry would continue its attempt to withdraw, whether or not the formula changed.
Bonnie Largess, another member of the committee, said Sysko’s opinion is not shared by all members.
emeisner@sunmediagroup.net
SAD 44 cost-sharing formula change rejected by voters
Woodstock: 307-466
Newry: 214-55
Bethel: 650-934
Greenwood: 231-217
Totals: 1,402 to 1,672
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