Norwich – School Superintendent Abby Dolliver presented a $72.5 million 2013-14 budget to the school board budget committee today that calls for a $2.1 million, 3 percent increase driven mostly by a $1.5 million increase in tuition at Norwich Free Academy.

Dolliver said the public school portion of the budget is projected to rise by $608,873, a 0.87 percent increase in spending. The public school portion of the increase includes a nearly $532,000 combined increase in certified and support salaries. But the budget also reflects savings in health insurance worked into negotiated contracts with unionized staff that led to no cost increase for health insurance.

Bills for public utilities and heating expenses are expected to drop by about $260,000 because of natural gas savings.

Dolliver said the budget has no new programs and no cuts in staffing or programs. Dolliver said the budget includes funding for two student counseling positions.

The proposed budget does not include any possible new school security mandates being discussed by the state legislature this spring, Dolliver said. She said she made her preferences known to state officials that she would prefer increasing “clinical” mental health services rather than “armed guards.”