A few staffing changes, an increase in state aid, and rising enrollments were all part of the 2014 budget discussion for Old Rochester Regional Junior and Senior High Schools.

Following a public hearing on Tuesday, the ORR School Committee voted to approve a $16.8 million budget, a 1.3 percent increase over 2013.

For 2014, the projections are good for Chapter 70 state aid funding, said Superintendent Doug White. While the governor’s proposed budget still has to go to the House of Representatives, the current funding is approximately $610,000 higher than 2013.

The budget is also getting a boost from revenues, including 71 school choice students. School choice is a state-wide program that allows students who live in one district to apply to another one for public education. In return, the out-of-district school is paid a $5,000 tuition by for each student in the program.

“We’re not only looking for money from the towns, but we’re able to generate revenues to help offset the cost,” said White.

To make sure the budget is secure, $150,000 from the Excess and Deficiency Fund will be used as revenues.

“We’re still conscious of the fact that we might end up with reductions in Chapter 70,” said White.

Before the committee voted on the budget, residents had the opportunity to comment at a public hearing. Only one person was in attendance and made no comments.

During the hearing, the Junior High and High School principals discussed a few staffing changes.

High School Principal Mike Devoll said this year he is only requesting the addition of a part-time campus aide to help with daily administrative needs.

Junior High Principal Kevin Brogioli is requesting more staffing changes to better meet the needs of his students.

Brogioli plans to replace the current physical education assistant with a second certified physical education teacher. The Junior High will also move the librarian position to part-time and change a part-time reading specialist to full-time.

“Is it ideal? No,” said Brogioli. “It does give us more flexibility in our building for what we need.”

The budget also projects $215,278 for special education costs.

“That’s a moving target,” said White.

White said there are few other wild cards that could change before Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester go to Town Meeting. Besides a final vote from the state on Chapter 70 funds, there are still outstanding contracts in negotiation, and some issues related to insurance.

Without changes, the towns will be asked to contribute the following amounts, which partially depend on student enrollment and state aid.

Marion will be asked to pay $3.9 million, a 1.52 percent increase from 2013. Mattapoisett and Rochester each saw a decline in their assessments with Mattapoisett’s assessment down 3.29 percent for a total of $4.8 million. Rochester’s assessment is down 0.85 percent for a total of $4.4 million.

In discussing the overall budget, White said added that reductions are possible, but the School Committee cannot raise the budget once it gets to Town Meeting.

“It’s better to set the budget at what you believe you need to spend,” said White.