The failed budget reflects a 2.9% increase in spending over the current year and a 5.5% increase in education spending per long-term weighted average daily membership (LTWADM).

Several members of the public told the board that they had heard that a lack of board transparency was a key issue for some “no” voters, with some suggesting Facebook groups had been created to encourage others to vote against the budget.

Other constituents cited difficulty sourcing budget information, confusion over the middle school model proposal discussed at the annual meeting, and lingering anger over the Caverly Preschool debacle.

In initial budget drafts earlier this year, the board moved to consolidate Caverly Preschool to Lothrop Elementary School beginning next year. The board later reversed the decision, citing an inaccurate interpretation of a vote to reinstate the program.

“From the time the budget was developed, adopted and presented, attrition has happened,” said Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union Business Manager Brenda Fleming. “The facilitator of teaching and learning at the high school has resigned. An associate principal at the high school has resigned, and we have three (other) open positions.”