Mattapoisett School Committee members voted to increase the number of school choice slots on Monday, and made steps towards hiring a fourth second grade teacher with funds from the first year of the program.

Each year  school committees must vote on whether or not they will participate in the school choice program, which gives schools $5,000 for every out of district student enrolled.

Last spring was the first time the committee approved school choice, opening up three spaces at the second grade level.

Two of those students decided to return in the fall. They are eligible to remain in the school system through sixth grade.

School Committee Chair James Higgins said he was “more gun shy than last year” about the program but was in favor of adding one student. Member Charles Motta said he was happy to keep the “status quo.”

Member James Muse, however, proposed adding two kindergarten slots and two first grade slots to the existing two students.

“I think school choice is a great thing,” said Muse. “It think it affords an opportunity for diversity in the school and the town.”

Higgins was concerned that the kindergarten classes were getting to large. With current enrollment, there will be three classes of 18 students.

After some discussion, the committee voted to add two students in first grade, with a total of four school choice students.

As the committee looks forward to $20,000 in revenue from school choice for the following school year’s budget, it also has the option of using the $15,000 that will come available in the fall from this year's school choice students.

In a previous meeting, the committee discussed adding an additional second grade teacher to reduce class size.

The school budget may be able to accommodate an additional salary, but town officials raised concerns over the added insurance costs, which fall to the town.

Town Administrator Mike Gagne spoke with Superintendent Doug White to ask if the committee would consider using school choice fund to offset insurance costs.

The position would be for one-year, said White.

“The town was concerned that we’re using one-time funds to support a teaching position,” he said.

The committee members authorized White to continue talks with the town and said they were willing to use  school choice funds for insurance costs. The topic will next go to Selectmen for discussion.