Voters at Town Meeting may be asked to approve a Rochester Memorial School budget that is $92,000 more than last year.

The new figure is a discount compared to the figure school officials originally considered, which would have brought a $211,52 increase. The total proposed budget is $5.6 million.

School committee members stressed that the budget is still a draft.

“We are open to comments and suggestions and to hear people’s input,” Vice Chair Tina Rood said. “It’s important for people to know about the decisions that are being made along the way, on behalf of our school.”

Superintendent Doug White presented the budget to committee members at their Thursday night meeting. White said a number of decisions were made to offset rising costs, but some increases were unavoidable.

Those expenses include health insurance premium hikes and guaranteed salary increases. White said additional money will be needed to fund a part time social worker and address special education costs.

Savings were found by reducing the cost of curriculum materials, transportation and cutting a teacher’s aide position in the special education program.

One big change comes in the form of transportation funding for students attending Bristol County Agricultural High School.

The transportation line item for bussing students to the Dighton school proved difficult to account for. Committee members said they don't know how many students will attend the school each year.

"It's beyond our control," said committee member Tim Scholz.

White reported that the town would pay to transport those students. To cut costs, town officials volunteered the use of a Council on Aging Van and driver.

White said it’s likely the committee will present this budget to voters.

“This is something that we talked about with the towns, and we know that they have an understanding that this budget is what we may be taking to Town Meeting,” he said.

A complete budget presentation will take place at a public hearing scheduled for March.

Members of the committee’s budget subcommittee noted that this year the budget was being drafted alongside Finance Committee Chair Kris Stoltenberg.

“It’s been a very open and positive process,” said Elise Frangos, the assistant superintendent of instruction and curriculum.