The Middletown School Board voted in favor of a plan to raise taxes to close a $10 million budget gap and save three schools that were in danger of closing.

Board members passed a resolution earlier this month that would raise taxes up to 10.1%, which would allow the district to keep the two elementary schools and a middle school in danger of closing.

Middletown Mayor Tony Perry previously offered an alternative to save the schools by telling the district that they could sell the land back to the town and share the costs.

The topic has become heated in town and at some of the recent meetings. Board members say their goals have always been to save the schools.