Voters took a little over seven minutes Feb. 3 to approve a $636,930 Fiscal Year 2016-17 Alternative Organizational Structure 98 budget. The proposed budget represents a 3.3 percent increase for operating the next fiscal year’s AOS superintendent and special services offices.

Eighteen voters approved all 13 warrant articles without opposition or debate. Voters approved a $476,374 superintendent office budget which is a 3.5 percent increase. The proposed special services office budget is $160,556, or a 2.9 percent increase. The budget meeting was held in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium.

AOS 98 is made up of the Community School District of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor and individual towns of Edgecomb, Georgetown and Southport. The cost share for each member is: CSD, 60.2 percent; Edgecomb, 18.12 percent; Georgetown, 15.22 percent; and Southport, 6.4 percent.

Residents elected Al Roberts of Boothbay Harbor as the meeting’s moderator. Then they voted on the 13 warrant articles. Voters authorized Article One’s request for $160,556 for Special Education. They also approved Article Two’s request for $476,374 to expend on System Administration.

Articles 3 through 11 requested no funding. These articles were voted on as a block. Roberts explained they were placed on the warrant in the event a corrective change was needed prior to the budget meeting.

Article Twelve summarized the AOS 98 School Committee’s total request to spend $636,930 for Fiscal Year 2016-17.

Article 13 authorized the school committee to spend all sums received from federal and state grants and other sources not requiring the expenditure of other funds not previously appropriated.

Member towns will vote on the proposed budget during their town meetings.