SABATTUS $ Residents hoping for property tax relief will likely be pleased with the 2008-09 school budget that voters approved during Thursday's town meeting.

Spending in the budget, which is nearly $6 million, is identical to this year, but because of increased government assistance and money left over from this year, the money raised in property taxes would actually decrease by $439,350.

The reduction means someone who owns a $100,000 home will pay $220 less in property taxes next year if the budget is given final approval during referendum voting scheduled for Tuesday.

Voting on the budget, which controls spending for kindergarten-through-eighth-grade education, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office.

The school board last month approved more than $143,000 in spending cuts from the last budget that voters rejected.

More than half of the cuts, about $83,000 worth, will come in salary and benefit reductions for three new staff members.

Another $60,000 was reduced from various line items, including professional development, supplies and special education.

Voters at Thursday's meeting had questions about the cuts, but acted relatively quickly to approve the budget, Trenholm said. The meeting lasted about an hour.