Region 4 Budget Passed

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — With a total of 289 yes votes and 140 no votes, the Region 4 School Budget was passed at Tuesday's referendum.

Only a fraction of the total registered voters in each town exercised their right to vote. In Essex, a total of 148 residents voted, 119 yes and 29 no. In Chester, a total of 162 residents voted, 113 yes and 49 no. And, in Deep River, 122 residents voted, 57 yes and 65 no.

The 2021-22 budget represents a 3.53 increase over last year's budget and was voted down by the town of Deep River.

The $22 million dollar budget does not introduce any new initiatives but does include school improvements, as well as investments in social and emotional learning for Region 4 students with a focus on seventh through 12th graders who were most affected by the disruption of the pandemic.

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