Preston ― The Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to approve a $15.1 million budget for 2024-25 with a 5.6% spending increase.

There are few changes to staffing or programs.

The budget calls for a $802,583 spending increase over this year’s $14.38 million budget and will be presented to the Board of Finance on April 4.

Superintendent Roy Seitsinger said the budget has no program changes for students but adds two staff positions, a custodian who would work at both the elementary and middle schools and one bus driver. Preston is among the few school districts in the state that operates its own bus transportation system.

School staff initially proposed adding two new bus drivers and hiring a part-time district curriculum director, but school officials removed the latter and one of the drivers from the budget, saving $55,000 in an early cost-cutting measure. Currently, Seitsinger and the two school principals share curriculum duties.

Board Chairwoman Megan Gallant said Friday there were few questions or concerns expressed by the board in approving the budget. She regretted having to cut the proposed part-time curriculum position, saying it is a clear need. Adding a bus driver would ease parents’ angst about the bus schedule if a driver calls in sick.

“I’m really excited about how the budget came out,” Gallant said. She added that school officials understood the message from taxpayers that they need to keep costs within reason.

Gallant and Seitsinger both called the proposed budget a reasonable package, given cost increases and uncontrollable expenses, such as tuition, health insurance and special education costs.

Salaries and special education show the highest increases, salaries totaling $7 million, a $307,872 increase, and special education totaling $2 million, a $311,022 increase.

Unlike many local school districts, Preston does not face a so-called “fiscal cliff” with the loss of federal COVID-19 recovery grants. Preston used this year’s $590,000 final federal recovery grant to cover one-time purchases or projects, avoiding the need to cover staff salaries or programs after the grant expires.

The district did use the recovery grant to fund its second social worker, but that runs through next year. In the 2025-26 school year, the board will face the need to find $83,821 for the position.

c.bessette@theday.com