The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School won the approval it needed Monday night to spend surplus money for end-of-the-year expenses — but there was no vote of confidence for school administrators at special town meetings in Aquinnah and Chilmark.

School leaders were seeking permission to use $230,000 in unbudgeted leftover funds for maintenance, heating oil, and transportation. They were also seeking permission from the towns to lease a school bus.

The two requests have already cleared Edgartown, Tisbury and Oak Bluffs, but the three up-Island town had opted to hold special town meetings to let voters decide on the use of so-called excess and deficiency funds.

On Monday Aquinnah failed to achieve a quorum and the school spending requests were approved by default.

It’s apparent we are not going to have a quorum tonight, so I am calling it,” moderator Mike Hebert said at 7:15 when only 17 voters had checked into the old town hall.

Town administrator Jeffrey Madison said another meeting would not be called.

With approval needed from four of the six towns, the spending now will be allowed.

But in Chilmark 48 voters turned out to express their opposition to the way the school had handled its budgeting — soundly voting down the requests.

Speaking at the meeting, high school principal Sara Dingledy said the maintenance work is needed, and she pledged more clarity on school finances in the future.

“The end of the year . . . seems to be a time we are looking to balance our books,” Ms. Dingledy said. “Corrective maintenance has been underfunded, and that is where we see the deficit,” she said, adding: “We are working to make sure there is more transparency going forward.”

Town leaders were unconvinced.

“Even though I support the high school . . . coming to the end of the year with a deficit is not something we can vote yes on,” selectman Warren Doty said.

“In 20 years we have never, not once come to the end of the year with a deficit,” he also said.

The two articles were turned down by a voice vote.

A third, housekeeping article on the warrant to pay a $45 bill to Bruno’s Rolloff was approved.

The meeting adjourned after about 20 minutes.

West Tisbury voters meet Tuesday night to consider the school spending questions, although the vote will be academic.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium.

Noah Asimow and Will Sennott contributed reporting.