The Rochester School Committee will present a $5,672,343 school budget at Town Meeting on May 19.

The budget number was reached after the committee and administrators chopped approximately $100,000 from the original spending plan released earlier this year.

A reading specialist and classroom teacher were cut to keep the budget in line with what town finances can afford.

The budget was unveiled during a public hearing at the committee’s Thursday, April 3 meeting.

Principal Derek Medeiros said those positions might be brought back next year.

“For me it’s all about need,” Medeiros said. “We will look at the need and talk about how it’s going.”

Chair Michelle Cusolito said the committee and administrators worked hard to ensure student’s needs were met.

“One of the harder parts about being on this committee is we have to look at the bigger picture,” said Cusolito. “It’s not a pleasant part of the job.”

In January, town officials learned money from the state for education increased just $12,000.

The latest budget is $121,000 more than last year – a 2.8 percent increase. Superintendent Doug White said that if Bristol Agriculture High School transportation costs weren’t a factor, then the actual increase would be 1.5 percent or $82,000. Bussing Rochester students to the agricultural high school is paid for with money from the elementary school budget.

The switch to full-day kindergarten, health care costs and pay raises also contributed to the budget increase.

Resident Gianno Lettieri pressed the committee on how much the full-day kindergarten costs the town. He was initially told the number wasn’t readily available. Later in the meeting Assistant Superintendent Dr. Elise Frangos found the number to be $48,000.

By eliminating the bus service for half-day students administrators were able to save $33,000, which was then put towards the full-day kindergarten.

She added that going to full-day kindergarten benefited the students.

“That’s an enormous help to give students an academic head start,” said Frangos.

The Annual Town Meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. at Rochester Memorial School.