Residents in the troubled East Ramapo school district approved its proposed budget and retained the same four board members who were up for election on Tuesday.

The district's proposed $224 million budget passed by 900 votes.

Dr. Deborah Wortham was also named as the district's permanent superintendent.

Wortham's appointment won't be official until next month, but she says the focus has to be on what she calls "the common denominator" -- the students.

"We now march to a different drummer and our students are the priority," she said.

Wortham continued living on Long Island after being appointed interim superintendent. She says with the permanent appointment, she will soon be moving to Rockland County.

The ultra-Orthodox-dominated school board remains as candidates Kim Foskew, Jean Fields and Natasha Morales were unable to defeat incumbents Bernard Charles, Pierre Germain and Yehuda Weissmandle. Sabrina Charles-Pierre also won, running unopposed.