Preston — Voters will return to the polls Tuesday for the third referendum on the 2018-19 school budget, an $11.8 million proposal that eliminates universal free preschool and a new social worker position.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall, 389 Route 2.

Voters twice rejected the earlier proposed $11.9 million school budget, first by 112 votes and then by 91 votes the second time, while approving the $3.84 million town government in the second referendum.

In making the $215,000 in cuts ordered by the Board of Finance, the Board of Education removed two controversial items, free preschool and a new social worker position. The board approved a fee of $75 per week for parents of preschool students, expected to generate $66,000. The social worker salary was budgeted at $66,568.

The school system enacted the universal free preschool in January 2015, angering residents who had opposed the idea during the previous budget season. The school board at the time used anticipated savings in other areas of the budget to launch the program, and opponents have criticized the plan since then. Board members pledged not to add the item mid-term this year if other budget savings materialize.