The Cortland City School District’s spending plan was not approved by voters Tuesday.

The $54 million proposal was voted down by a margin of 91 votes, 543-452.

Part of the proposal included a 9.5% tax levy increase. To put that into perspective, in 2022, the tax levy increase was less than 1%.

The next steps for the district include a special Board of Education meeting Friday. If a contingency budget is adopted, the budget will be reduced by $1.3 million, and the tax levy will remain the same as 2022-2023. Work on a second budget proposal will also begin, as well as plan to execute another vote.