Voters Approve Lyme-Old Lyme School Budget—But Voter Turnout Was Low

Voters in Old Lyme and Lyme turned out to vote in favor of passing the Regional School District 18 budget of $31,741,789 for fiscal year 2013-2014 at yesterday's referendum—but they didn't turn out in very high numbers. 

In Old Lyme, the budget passed by a vote of 344 in favor with 118 votes against. That included votes cast by 20 people who own property in town but who don't live in Old Lyme year round. As there are 6,221 registered voters in town, 7.5 percent of whom actually voted, that's a pretty poor turnout. 

Percentage-wise, Lyme's turnout was slightly higher but the number of ballots cast was also low. Of the 163 people who voted, 140 were in favor of passing the budget and 23 were opposed.

Given the sparse attendance at the numerous meetings and public hearings held during the development of the school budget, perhaps the low turnout was to be expected.

Just four members of the public showed up for the final Board of Education Budget Meeting on Monday—and that was about four more than showed up for the public hearing held before that. 

Still, School District Superintendent Ian Neviaser isn't about to argue with the results, which show a clear majority in support of next year's budget.

"The Board [of Education] asked what we needed and voters were supportive," he said. "We were also transparent in what we had requested through numerous meetings and publications, and I think that helped too. I think we brought forward a responsible budget and the voters responded to that." 

Who Voted and Why

Jim Lampos of Old Lyme, who has two children in the school district, said he was voting in favor of the budget. 

"It's a great school system and they seem to be running it very well," he said. 

Rosemary Barclay who, as a member of the Lyme-Old Lyme Education Foundation is naturally a big proponent of supporting the school district, said she felt this year's budget was "reasonable, if you think about what they have to do. It's not dramatically increased," she added. 

"I'm definitely supporting it," said Lorrie King of Lyme. "I think we have a great school district here. I graduated from Old Lyme in the '70s and my kids went to school here. I don't think you can beat it. It's a great school system." 

King and Lampos also applauded the improvements to the high school since the renovations. Recalling the days of leaking roofs, Lampos added, "It definitely needed to be done."  

King said she's always been proud of the district and "loves the teachers" but, she noted, "now we have a building we can be proud of."