Westbrook residents will vote this month on their $35.2 million school budget and on whether to continue holding school budget votes in the future. The proposed 2016-2017 budget is up $1 million, or just under 3 percent, from the current budget.

Most of the difference is from contracted salary increases and new positions.

A first-grade teacher, a gifted and talented teacher at the high school, a technology integrator, a part-time administrative assistant and a middle school resource offer whose salary would be split with the city are the new positions proposed, said Jim Violette, chairman of the Westbrook School Committee.

Although the district lost some of its state funding, the cost increases are offset by money getting carried forward from the current budget.

The proposed school budget would increase the tax rate by 10 cents per $1,000 of valuation or $20 for a $200,000 home.

Voters will also decide whether they continue having to approve the school department’s budget in a referendum vote, a question put out to residents in each district every three years.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 14.

 

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