BINGHAM — Voters in Bingham-based School Administrative District 13 will return to the polls July 17 to consider the same school budget proposal that failed by four votes last week.

Superintendent Virginia Rebar said the School Board worked diligently to craft a responsible budget and will “resubmit it for further reconsideration.” The district also includes Moscow.

The School Board informally agreed to reintroduce the $3.1 million proposal Tuesday night, Rebar said.

Because the budget was not part of the published agenda, Rebar said directors will formalize their decision at a meeting Monday.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is slated for Wednesday, July 11, she said.

The proposed budget failed at the polls, 118-114.

Bingham voters approved the proposal 73-69, but Moscow residents opposed it 49-41.

In Bingham, about 20 percent of the town’s 725 registered voters turned out, while in Moscow, about 25 percent of the community’s 353 registered voters cast ballots.

“I was very pleased with the number of voters who participated, and I hope the enthusiasm is sustained,” Rebar said.

David Connerty-Marin, director of communications for the Maine Department of Education, said state law dictates that a district without an approved budget by July 1 must operate with the budget approved at its most recent budget meeting.

For this district, that’s the $3.1 million budget rejected at the polls but handily approved June 6 at the district meeting.

The School Board meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday at Quimby Middle School.

Beth Staples — 861-9252

bstaples@centralmaine.com

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