MATTAPOISETT — In a May 4 video meeting, the Mattapoisett School Committee approved the 2021 fiscal year school budget of $7,357,475, an increase of 2.39% from last year.

Contract adjustments for staff, special needs programs and custodial services account for a majority of the new budget. 

Due to a decline in enrollment, the district will drop one teaching position at Old Hammondtown School. The number of sections in the sixth grade will also decrease from four  to three.

The fiscal planning of the budget ties into the district’s goal of constantly updating educational technology. Old Rochester Regional school district superintendent Doug White said the effort  is now even more important because, “we don’t know what’s in our future” after coronavirus disruptions.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has not yet determined a state budget for education, so the approved budget could change depending on that number.

To further support students, the district also accepted a donation of $4,187.31 for the district’s food services to fund its meal program. 

The money came from a GoFundMe campaign started by committee member Shannon Finning that met its goal two days after opening up. When the program initially began, she and White were unsure that it would be properly funded, so they started the campaign to supplement it.