A record number of people came out to vote Tuesday and defeated the North Rockland school budget.

The budget called for a 46 percent increase in taxes to make up for taxes that were not paid by the bankrupt Mirant utility company. The defeat forced the school board to approve an austerity budget Wednesday. Under the austerity budget, homeowners and businesses still face about a 42 percent increase in taxes. The voters' rejection of the budget only knocks about $2 million off the budget. The deputy superintendent realizes some voters felt they had to take a stand.

Three out of 17 proposed school budgets were defeated in Orange County. Related Information HV School Vote 2006 Results