Residents in Jackman-based School Administrative District 12 narrowly rejected a proposed $2.24 million school budget this week, sending it back to school officials for at least the fourth year in a row that the budget has been defeated in its initial referendum.

The budget was defeated 91-88 on Tuesday, with residents in Jackman defeating it by a margin of 82-62, according to the Jackman Town Office. Residents in Moose River supported the budget by a vote of 26-9.

The proposed $2,248,902 budget is up less than 1 percent from the current budget of $2.22 million but also includes a loss of $31,179 in state funding.

Jackman residents were asked to raise $154,902 more, or about 17 percent, locally; and the budget also required $48,199 more, or about 15 percent more, from Moose River residents.

Residents on Tuesday did approve continuing the two-step budget approval process by an overall vote of 93-84. It passed 74-69 in Jackman and 19-15 in Moose River.

Last year’s SAD 12 school budget was approved only after four successive budgets were presented to voters, and the $2.22 million figure was adopted in November. The adoption of a 2014-2015 school budget also was delayed by voters, as was the 2013-2014 budget, which was not approved until the end of July in 2013.

SAD 12 Superintendent William Crumley was not available for comment Thursday and districtwide Principal Denise Plante did not return a call seeking comment.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm

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