Mixed emotions filled the Plainedge School District hallways after a high voter turnout on Tuesday passed next year's $40 million budget, but defeated the proposed $50 million bond.

Voter turnout was much higher than anticipated; 300 more votes were counted on Tuesday than during the first budget vote back in May.

Alice Mateos, spokeswoman for the district, attributed the unusually high turnout to the school board's public relations campaign to get both propositions passed.

"We really did get teams out there to spread information about the budget and the bond," she said. "It was a concerted effort by the community and staff."

The budget passed with 1,732 "yes" votes and 1,337 "no" votes, a difference of almost 300 votes. The attached proposition to purchase three new school buses ¬ a purchase removed from the original defeated budget ¬ was turned down by nine votes, or 1,515 "yes" votes to 1,524 "no" votes.

The bond was defeated by a tight margin; 1,492 voted "yes," but 1,567 voted against the $50 million proposition, even with the state picking up more than half of the tab. Also, the attached bond proposition to build a new planetarium on the grounds of the would-be Northedge Middle School was defeated with 1,179 "yes" votes to 1,855 "no" votes; a defeat margin of 676 votes.

Despite minimal changes, the community had a change of heart and passed the budget, easing the concerns of administrators who feared the possibility of an austerity budget, which would have eliminated many school programs, halted teacher hiring and book purchases, and cause the high school to scrap plans for a nine-period day.

However, the defeat of the bond leaves the district in a bit of a quagmire. Pending bond approval, the district had plans to create a new middle school out of the Northedge site, which currently houses administrative offices, the Broadhollow Theater, and private daycare facilities. Plans were to add two stories and two wings to the single-floor building to accommodate projected enrollment increases.

Also proposed in the bond was to add kindergarten wings to each elementary school, upgrade and expand science classrooms and libraries, and to modify bathroom facilities.

"We're very disappointed" that the bond did not pass, said Mateos.

The failure of the bond to pass referendum could have long-lasting repricussions for the district. Split sessions ¬ when separate morning and afternoon classes are held ¬ could be one possibility in order to accommodate a large enrollment. The practice has been used on Long Island in the past, when students outnumbered maximum occupancy due to small facilities. Other possibilities include adding portable classrooms at Packard, also to accommodate a large number of students.

All this aside, Mateos stressed that it is too early to speculate the district's course of action.

With passage of the budget, taxpayers can expect to pay roughly $5.68 per $100 of assessed valuation.