The Norwalk Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to pass its budget for the upcoming fiscal year after a surprise announcement from Mayor Harry Rilling.

Rilling announced during the meeting that the city had found an extra $500,000 to help save six of the seven special education jobs that were originally set to be cut.

"We're doing everything we can to provide the best education for our children -- and that's always been the most important thing to me," Rilling said.

About 61 positions were restored after weeks of controversy when parents erupted in anger following the initial budget proposal, which called for cutting over a hundred jobs.

School board members thanked parents for their "passion and persistence" in speaking up to defend the district's arts and music programs.