Next year’s budget draft for Rochester Memorial School has a 4.9 percent or $280,696 increase over the current year’s budget, though Superintendent Doug White stressed that it’s only an early number.

To level fund the budget would be approximately a $40,000 increase, but there are also additional special needs funds needed, which will cost at least $50,000.

Other requests currently on the table include additional technology funds that will go towards purchasing more Chromebooks for students. It also includes about $14,000 previously supplied through grants.

“Many of our grants continue to be reduced,” said White. “We’re trying to wean ourselves off that.”

The School Committee will also ask for $17,600, a third of the cost of a new health education teacher that would be shared with Mattapoisett and Marion elementary schools.

White said the Healthy Tri-town Coalition recognized that health education doesn’t start until seventh grade.

“We thought it was important to start earlier,” he said.

Going forward, the superintendent and School Committee members will speak with town officials.

“The next steps are working with the town to really get a solid number to push forward,” said White.