Superintendent Bill Webster is proposing a $74.2 million school budget for 2017-18.

LEWISTON — The 2017-18 school budget presented Monday by Superintendent Bill Webster is proposed to go up 7.9 percent, from $68.8 million to $74.2 million.

Most of the $5.4 million increase is for more staff to keep pace with growing enrollment, maintaining summer programs, higher costs for health benefits and raises.

“This budget allows us to maintain our present level of services, and provide a modest increase for the additional students we anticipate in Lewiston,” Webster said. “It’s within the financial capacity of the city to support.”

“The local tax rate actually goes down a penny,” Webster said.

That’s because Lewiston is getting more state money for education, largely because there are more students.

Based on Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget, Lewiston expects to receive $4.8 million more, or a 10.5 percent increase from last year.

The school tax on a home assessed at $150,000 would be $1,543.50, compared to the same home taxed $1,545 last year.

Since 2007, Lewiston has gained about 850 students. Total enrollment is nearly 5,600, up from 4,736 in 2007.

Part of the budget increase is for a bond for a new elementary school being paid for by the state.

Webster said the bond will cost about $872,000 and will show up as both as expense and revenue in the budget.

“It makes it look higher,” Webster said. Without that, the overall budget is up 6.6 percent.

There are 38.4 new positions in the budget to meet higher enrollment and special education needs.

“We have had a number of families moving to Lewiston with costly special education needs for their children,” Webster said. Some require one-on-one staffing; some need out-of-district placement.

Another budget increase is for continuing summer school and extended-day programs to help students who are behind, or not lose ground in the summer.

Last year, Lewiston spent $278,720 for summer and extended-day programs; this year, the cost has jumped to $501,895 because grants have expired.

“We are trying to maintain our summer school program,” Webster said.

In the past five years, summer programs have grown from 200 students to more than 1,000.

Money for a performance-based learning director, estimated to cost $80,000, is not in the budget, Webster said.

“It has to be the top priority next year,” he said.

The budget was given to the School Committee on Monday night. Members will review it at 6 p.m. March 6, 8, 13, 15 and 20 at the Dingley Building. Public comment is invited.

The committee will make a recommendation to the City Council on April 18. Councilors will vote on it May, and voters will have the final say at a referendum on May 9.

New expenses

$1.12 million for 38.4 positions to keep pace with growing enrollment and special education needs

$1.49 million for an estimated 4 percent increase in health care benefits and 3 percent raises

$408,000 for transportation

$223,000 to maintaining extended-day and summer programs