Voting for the third time, 1,967 voters in Durham and Middlefield passed District 13 education budget for next year with the smallest raise in anyone's memory -- less than one percent.

The total vote was 1,090 yes, 877 no, which means that slightly fewer people voted this time around (1,981 votes were cast on June 2; 1,802 were cast in the first referendum on May 5).

What was perhaps the most surprising -- and most satisfiying to many -- was that the budget passed in both towns this time around. In the earlier two referendums, the budget had passed narrowly in Durham both times and been defeated in Middlefield. This time, Durham's votes were 746 yes and 544 no, which seemed to the assembled crowd in Korn School waiting for word from Middlefield, perhaps enough to pass no matter what Middlefield's vote was. When the call came, however, it was announced that Middlefield had also approved the budget, though more narrowly -- 344 yes, 333 no.

Superintendent Sue Viccaro said, "I'm just glad it's over and we can move on." The actual budget number voted on included $118,090 worth of cuts after the second defeat, for a gross bottom line of $33.76 million. Because each town pays for its share based on the number of students it sends to district schools, Middlefield's share is expected to carry a lower mill rate with Durham's holding steady though what exactly happens in that regard depends on passage of a state budget with firm figures for aid to education.