New London — The public will have an opportunity on Wednesday to comment on Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie's proposed $73.2 million school budget during an hourlong public hearing.

The overall proposed budget is a 2%, or $1.4 million, increase over the current $71.8 million budget. The proposal includes a $45.3 million request to the city, which is a 2.9%, or $1.3 million, increase over the $44 million provided by the city in the current school budget.

The school budget is funded through a mix of state and federal grants and taxpayer funds. The portion requested from the city is funded jointly from taxpayers and through the state’s Educational Cost Sharing program.

With ECS funding expected to be on par with last year, about $22.9 million, Finance Director David McBride said the school’s request would result in a 6% increase in the taxpayer-funded portion of the budget. The City Council has approved school budgets with a 2.6% average increase over the past three years.

The virtual meeting starts at 6 p.m. and can be accessed at www.newlondonct.org.

The budget proposal, already in the hands of the Board of Education, could be approved as early as Thursday, the next scheduled school board meeting.

Any resident interested in signing up to provide public comment on the budget can email Kristea Francolino, manager of executive support services, at Francolinok@newlondon.org. Each resident will be allowed 3 minutes for comment.

The proposed budget is available on the district’s website at newlondon.org/Page/271.