Voters in Lyme and Old Lyme approved the proposed 2024-25 Region 18 school budget of $36.9 million at two sparsely attended referendums on Tuesday.

The budget passed 280-89 in Old Lyme. Voters in Lyme supported it 76-6.

The budget represents a 3% increase over the current year, up from the 0.62% increase initially proposed by Superintendent of Schools Ian Neviaser. The school board decided that allocating $853,000 for a four-school renovation project now will save almost $500,000 in interest over the life of the loan that will cover the bulk of the cost.

In Old Lyme, voters also approved a move to finance the town’s portion of the Lymes’ Senior Center renovation by a 285-83 vote.

The senior center renovation project was previously approved by voters with the town responsible for about $4.1 million of the $6.1 million project.

Officials decided not to take the money out of the undesignated fund balance, or rainy day fund, in order to keep money available to mitigate tax increases in future years while still maintaining a healthy savings. The town currently has about 32.8% of its total operating budget in savings.

e.regan@theday.com