Technology Director Ryan McGee estimates that funding technology needs for Mattapoisett schools over the next five years will cost at least $366,000.

While Selectmen were not opposed to most of the items included in McGee’s priority list, including computer labs and iPads, they did take issue with the source of funding.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne discussed paying for this year’s request of approximately $50,000 through bonds, but Selectmen Chair Jordan Collyer asked, “Why isn’t this in the school budget if we know it’s that much per year?”

Selectman Paul Silva agreed. “It should start to be placed in the budget.”

For the town to agree to $50 to $65,000 a year to lease and purchase items might not be feasible, he said.

“We’ve had a couple of good years, but we don’t know how long that’s going to last. Saying we're going to commit to $65,000 a year is putting us into a corner,” said Silva.

For this year, Selectmen discussed using $30 to $35,000 from the town’s tax levy toward technology improvement needs at Center School and Old Hammondtown School.

Selectmen will discuss adding the needs to future school budgets with Superintendent Doug White.