Next year, the Rochester school budget will see a $46,771 reduction, or 0.84 percent less than the current year, due to decreases in the costs of special education and fewer students attending vocational schools.

On Thursday night, the Rochester School Committee held a public hearing to discuss the proposed budget of $5.5 million. Among the reductions in the 2014 draft budget are savings in the cost of heat as well as $54,000 savings in transportation costs.

Additionally, the budget is also seeing reductions in the costs of special education due to a fewer number of students requiring services outside of the district.

The budget will also account for a few new part-time positions to meet student needs.

“We will increase our staff of paraprofessionals and there will be additional supervision on buses,” White said.

The draft budget also accounts for an assistant principal position with a salary of $80,000.

The School Committee unanimously approved the budget.

The proposed budget will have to be approved by May Town Meeting to go into effect. School Committee Chair Michelle Cusolito urged residents to voice their opinions at Town Meeting on May 20.

“I hope you all turn out and exercise your right as citizens,” Cusolito said.