Acton school budget fails for second time

KeepMEcurrent.com, June 18, 2008

ACTON (June 18, 2008): It's back to the drawing board for the Acton School Committee after voters rejected the proposed school budget at referendum for the second time on June 17. The $5.1 million budget was denied by a vote of 255-232.

The school committee resubmitted the budget without changes after it was voted down at an initial referendum vote on May 27.

In accordance with a new state law, the budget must be brought before voters again at town meeting before it moves on to another referendum. The cycle will continue until the budget is approved.

If the budget is not approved by July 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year, it will nonetheless will go into effect until an amended version is approved, according to Superintendent Brian Beeler.

Before the town meeting is scheduled, Beeler said he will recommend a meeting of the school committee, finance committee and board of selectmen.

"We'll see as a group what needs to be done to get it approved," he said.

Of the 318 votes cast in the first referendum, 175 people voted against the measure, while 143 voted in favor.

The budget represents a $11,000, or two-tenths of a percent, increase over last year's budget.