The 2013-2014 Region 4 Board of Education budget, proposed at  $17.8 million, was approved at Tuesday's referendum. By a comfortable margin of 274 in favor to 175 opposed, the vote came close in only one town -- Deep River. There the budget passed by a slim 68 in favor to 64 opposed.

The budget for the next school year finances the operations of the district's two regional schools, John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School. The total $17,776,120 budget is divided among the three towns, based on the number of students each town send to the schools.

The vote was:

Chester -- 45 yes / 12 no

Deep River -- 68 yes / 64 no

Essex -- 161 yes / 69 no

Total -- 274 yes / 175 no