The $19,803,194 Region 4 Budget for the 2018-’19 school year, representing a $233,725 or 1.16 percent decrease from the current year’s budget, passed by an overwhelming majority at referendum on May 2.

Though Deep River voters rejected the budget by 132 votes against to 93 for, when including the full tally with Chester and Essex votes, the count was 376 for to 180 against. Under the budget, Chester and Deep River will see budget increases while Essex’s contribution will decrease.

The Region 4 Budget covers the operating cost of John Winthrop Middle School and Valley Regional High School for the towns of Chester, Deep River and Essex. The final cost is split between the three towns using a three-way allocation based on the enrollment numbers from each town.

The portion of the Region 4 budget for which Chester is responsible is $4,469,581, up $208,819 or 4.90 percent from the current year. Deep River’s contribution is $6,683,578, up $102,676 or 1.56 percent. Essex will pay $8,650,035, down $71,029 or 0.81 percent.

For the 2018-’19 fiscal year, students from Chester using Region 4 schools are projected at 22.57 percent of the total. Deep River students are projected to be 33.75 of the total enrollees and Essex students 43.68 percent. Both Deep River and Chester are seeing increases from the previous fiscal year while Essex is the only town to see a decrease in the coming fiscal year.

In Essex, the $8,650,035 Region 4 allotment will be added to the proposed Essex Elementary School budget of $7,372,220 for a total education budget of $16,022,255, a decrease of $160,403 or 0.99 percent. With the town’s $8,076,003 spending proposal, an increase of $180,394 or 2.28 percent, Essex voters will decide on the town’s overall $24,098,258 spending proposal, an increase of $19,991 or 0.08 percent, at Town Meeting on Monday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Essex Town Hall

In Chester, the $4,469,581 Region 4 bill will be added to the proposed Chester Elementary School budget of $4,663,549 for a total education budget of $9,133,130, an increase of $321,410 or 3.65 percent. Combined with the town’s $4,588,872 sending proposal, a $150,854 or 3.40 percent increase, Chester voters will decide on the combined $13,722,002 spending proposal, an increase of $472,264 or 3.56 percent, at Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 30.

In Deep River, the $6,683,578 Region 4 bill will be added to the proposed Deep River Elementary School budget of $5,235,793 for a total education budget of $11,919,371, a decrease of $78,954 or 0.6 percent. The town’s combined spending proposal of $16,993,355, an increase of $195,742 or 1.17 percent, goes to Town Meeting vote on Monday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium. Find the full story “Deep River Budget Goes to Vote May 21” on page 3.

Region 4 Budget referendum Totals

Chester 94 yes 30 no

Deep River 93 yes 132 no

Essex 189 yes 18 no

Total 376 yes 180 no