Although Westport Island voters approved their school district's budget, they voted overwhelmingly in favor of exploring withdrawal from the district.

The RSU 12 budget passed with 114 votes in favor and 98 opposed.

The vote to create a withdrawal committee to explore alternatives to the RSU received 152 votes in favor and 70 opposed.

"I certainly was in favor of looking at alternatives," Dennis Dunbar, Westport Island Budget Committee member said. "The cost inequity is something that needs to be addressed. I hope that negotiations that result from the committee's work will give voters concrete data to make a final decision on whether or not we should go our way."

One concern of Westport Island voters is whether or not the district will change its cost-sharing formula to Westport's benefit. Westport's education costs have increased 32 percent since joining the district, despite a 30 percent decline in the town's number of students. Recently an attempt was made by the district's Finance Committee to change the formula that would have benefited Westport Island. However, it was rejected by the RSU 12 school board.

The next step is for the selectmen to choose three members to serve on the withdrawal committee as defined by state law: one from the group that presented the petition; a selectman; and one resident at large. The district will choose a Westport Island school board member to serve on the committee.

The committee will be charged with developing a detailed plan for the State Department of Education to review and approve subject to voter approval. This plan will detail how, where and how much it will cost to educate the children so the voters can then make a final determination to either join another school system or stay in RSU 12.

Westport Island has two representatives on the RSU school board, Richard DeVries and Sandra Crehore, who was elected June 12 as a write in candidate.

"Certainly there are options out there but I still believe RSU 12 is the best option," DeVries said. "Some people view their pocketbook more than educating the future citizens of our nation."

Other town officers elected Tuesday are Second Selectman Gerald Bodmer, and Budget Committee members David Bertran and Lynn Rider.