Budgets have a way of creeping up from year to year. In the current draft for Rochester Memorial School’s 2014 budget, however, the numbers are down $10,771. Regardless of the lower number, staffing cuts are still a reality.

Superintendent Doug White lead the Rochester School Committee through the budget on Thursday night, and said the overall $10,000 reduction was due to special education costs, which fell by almost $98,000.

“Last year we had significant special education costs,” said White. “It’s really being driven by the needs of our students.”

Dr. Moira Rogers, Rochester Memorial’s Principal, also outlined proposed changes to the staffing that would allow the reinstatement of the Assistant Principal position.

To add the position, budgeted at $80,000, Rogers said some positions would be cut.

The third grade will lose one teacher due to next year's class being smaller than the current class. One teacher who does not have professional status will also be out, and a math specialist will be moved to a classroom role.

“Our needs are very heavily in English Language Arts, and not in math. We’re doing very well in math,” said Rogers.

The budget also includes an $18,585 raise in overall professional staff costs, a $39,038 raise in contracted services such as heat and electricity, and an almost $20,000 increase in costs for support staff.

The public is invited to comment on the budget at a hearing during the School Committee’s April 4 meeting.