Preston — After hearing from several residents asking for cuts to the proposed school budget, including a call for no increase over last year’s budget, the Board of Finance on Wednesday cut $75,000 from the proposed $11.9 million school budget.

Voters twice rejected the proposed 2018-19 school spending plan in recent referendums, by 112 votes in the first one and 91 votes in the second. Residents complained that the finance board didn’t slash enough by cutting just $20,000 after the first referendum defeat.

The new proposed budget totals $11,831,804.

Finance board members wrangled with the potential level of cuts and the schedule for a third town meeting and referendum, juggling vacations and avoiding the Aug. 14 statewide party primaries. The board recommended the budget town meeting be held Aug. 9 and a referendum on Aug. 21.

Board member Kenneth Zachem said he wouldn’t object to a flat-funded budget at last year’s $11,690,889 total. Zachem said the Board of Education could come to the finance board next May if it is running a deficit and submit invoices to show it needs money to cover a potential shortfall.

Board of Finance Chairwoman Melissa Lennon said only certain costs for special education or emergencies could be considered near the end of the budget year.

Board member Jerry Grabarek proposed the $75,000 cut, arguing that a lower cut, suggested at $50,000, would not be enough to win voter approval. Other members feared the $75,000 wouldn’t be a deep enough cut but Grabarek said any deeper “would be cutting it close,” because high school tuition costs alone are up by $187,054 over last year.

Board of Education Chairman Sean Nugent said with the vote to cut $75,000, he saw no reason for the Board of Education to hold a planned public hearing on July 31 — as the school board voted to do Tuesday night — to explain the proposed budget.

Nugent said school officials will cancel the July 31 hearing and will discuss the budget at the Aug. 9 town meeting.

During public comment Wednesday, several residents repeated calls for significant cuts to the school budget, including eliminating the free universal preschool program enacted in January 2015 and reverting to a sliding fee scale for preschool. Residents also asked that the budget include no new staffing or programs.

The proposed school budget included a new social worker position for the first time, one additional classroom teacher and 1.5 paraeducator positions, already added mid-year in the last school year and included in the new school budget.

Lennon said the school board already is planning to consider revamping the universal preschool program but the Board of Finance has no control over specific line items or programs in the school budget. She said the Board of Finance only has control of the bottom line total.

c.bessette@theday.com