ORWELL — Voters in the Slate Valley Unified Union School District (SVUUSD) — which includes the town of Orwell — finally approved a 2022-2023 public education budget on Wednesday, April 13, by a 882-541 tally.

In addition to Orwell, the SVUUSD delivers K-12 public education to the Rutland County communities of Castleton, Benson, Hubbardton, West Haven and Fair Haven.

The $26,236,547 spending plan OK’d on April 13 was $33,500 less than an initial budget proposal that SVUUSD voters rejected this past March Town Meeting Day by eight votes: 861 to 853 margin.

“We want to thank the community for voting!” district officials posted with the vote results on their website.

While the new budget reflects an estimated spending per equalized pupil of $16,957, which is 2.78% higher than the current year, it represents a decrease in both expenditures and estimated tax rates. As a result, taxpayers can expect to see a decrease in the education portion of their taxes in all six towns, according to SVUUSD officials.

The education tax rate in Orwell is expected to decrease by 15 cents, West Haven will see a 13-cent decrease, according to SVUUSD officials. In Benson, the rate will go down by an estimated 12 cents, Castleton will see an 8-cent drop. Fair Haven’s estimated decrease will be 4.5 cents and Hubbardton’s will be 3 cents.