SOUTH HADLEY, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- South Hadley residents voted down both Proposition 2 1/2 budget override options Tuesday, according to unofficial results, leaving the town facing a $3 million budget gap and significant cuts to schools and municipal services.

The final votes are still being counted by the town clerk, but unofficial results show voters rejected both the $9 million and $11 million override options.

If voters had approved either override, the average homeowner would have faced a $1,700 tax increase.

Gabriel Del Valle, a South Hadley High School freshman, said the tax increase would have been too much for some families, including his. “Not everyone can afford, like, such a big tax increase,” Del Valle said.

Kelly Ramos, a South Hadley resident and parent, added her family already pays enough out of pocket for services and activities in the town and school district. “So, ultimately, we’re already paying these bills,” she noted.

With both override options voted down, the town must close a $3 million budget gap. That means cuts to police and public works, the library could close, the senior center could lose staff, and major impacts to school extracurriculars, athletics, and AP classes.

Another South Hadley parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said the cuts are unacceptable. “Cutting from our children should never be an option,” the parent said in a statement. “Taking away sports and AP classes will have a large effect on our children, but taxing us out of the town and our homes also wasn’t an option many of us could afford. Our town’s mismanagement of funds has led to this.”

The South Hadley Education Association said in a statement that it remains committed to students and the town despite the outcome. “While we are all deeply disappointed by the outcome, we remain committed to our students and town,” the association said. “We acknowledge the heaviness of today as we face significant staff layoffs and drastic cuts to student/town services and activities.”

The association said it will keep pushing for South Hadley’s schools, libraries, DPW, police and other town services.

Ramos said not enough is being done. “And we don’t believe our voices are heard. We’ve fought. We’ve fought. We’ve fought,” Ramos explained.

The town of South Hadley did not respond to a request for comment. Official results are expected to be posted by the town clerk.

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