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Gorham voters pass school budget despite opposition campaign
Jun. 10—Voters handily approved Gorham's $57.5 million school spending plan Tuesday 2,083 to 1,879, a 204 vote margin.
The town favored keeping the budget validation referendum in place 2,748 to 1,170.
Unopposed on the ballot, voters returned Jaci Reynolds to the School Committee until November. Reynolds was appointed earlier this year to fill a vacancy until the June election.
Reynolds garnered 2,579 voted compared to 379 write-ins.
Gorham's approved spending plan rises $4 million, or 7.6% over the present $53.5 budget that narrowly survived a recount by two votes a year ago.
Resident Ben Tuttle, a founding member of Gorham Watchdogs, spearheaded a opposition campaign against school spending in town. Tuttle created a social media blitz on Facebook, X and Tik Tok and signs posted round town urged a No vote.
The School Department countered with a town-wide bulk mailing and widely posted school supporters' signs indicated love for the schools.
Gorham has struggled to pass school budgets in recent years.
In 2023, Gorham voters rejected two versions of the school budget before approving a third. Last year, the budget was approved on the first try, but by only after a recount determined it passed by two votes.
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