SALEM TOWNSHIP — The School Administrative District 58 budget appeared headed for passage Tuesday night, based on partial returns as of 10:30 p.m.

Kingfield approved it 193-62. Strong supported it 152-111.

Results from Avon and Phillips were pending.

The $9.4 million budget for 2018-19 is an increase is $38,897, or .416, over last year’s approved budget.

“I am pleased to see the support for the budget this year,” Superintendent Susan Pratt said Tuesday night. “It has been a hard process to present a responsive budget with the decline in enrollment.”

At this point, Pratt said the school board will review the proposed budget in the near future to consider whether any changes need to occur as a result of the vote.

The district lost $235,000 in state subsidies for the coming year, which starts on July 1. Schools will have at least 60 fewer students next year, according to Pratt, although enrollment figures could change before school starts in September.

Voters at the May 29 budget meeting protested $123,585 in cuts to instruction and the reduction of three prekindergarten classrooms to two. By written ballot, voters approved 58-31, adding the $123,585 cut back into the budget for instruction.

Estimated local share increases by town:

Avon: $47, 428; 11.24 percent;

Kingfield: $105,387; 7.55 percent;

Phillips:$99,228; 11.62 percent; and

Strong: $104,200; 11.87 percent.

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