The proposed $35.3 million Westbrook school budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year reflects an increase of roughly 4 percent from this year. But school officials said this week that key factors such as teacher health benefits have not been finalized, which will most likely lower the final figure.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, at 6 p.m., in Room 114 at Westbrook High School.

The school budget process is again affected this year by uncertainty in state revenues. In February, the Maine Department of Education released funding projections that showed schools losing more than $20 million next year. The Maine Legislature introduced a bill last week to add $15 million back into state funding, but school officials across the state have largely agreed that it’s not enough.

Superintendent of Schools Marc Gousse said Monday that while the funds are helpful, Westbrook is still receiving less funding next year, complicating the budget review process.

“It still represents a significant reduction to schools,” he said.

The district will receive about $135,000 less from the state for next year. Last month, the district was slated to lose almost $500,000.

Westbrook schools’ fiscal year 2015-16 budget is $33,992,591. Next year’s proposed budget is roughly $35.3 million, but that number, Gousse said, is the original  figure proposed in February, prior to updates in state revenues and budget reviews that will pare the final number.

The state uses a model known as Essential Programs and Services, which calculates each district’s take using a complicated formula that takes into account enrollment and tax valuation.

“I scratch my head because our enrollment is increasing, and our need is increasing,” he said.

He argues that state revenues are up and unemployment is down, making the funding cuts questionable.

The Finance Committee of the Westbrook School Committee is wrapping up its budget review sessions beginning this Wednesday, March 23 at 6 p.m., after the American Journal’s deadline, the first of two budget revisits.

Leading up to that time, Gousse said, there are still variables like employee benefits that could change the budget. He said he budgeted for a 10 percent increase in health insurance costs, representing roughly $400,000, but said he’s “cautiously optomistic” the figures will come back less, saving the department money.

He also said the budget revisits will most likely yield cuts.

City releases schedule for municipal budget review

Westbrook officials will host three municipal budget review sessions beginning Monday, April 4.

Monday, April 4 – following regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m.

· School Department

· Police

· Dispatch

· Fire

Thursday, April 21 – 6 p.m.

· Planning & Code Enforcement

· Public Services & Engineering

-Administration

-Public Services Operations

-Refuse & Collection

-Fleet Maintenance

-Cemeteries

-Athletic Fields & Grounds

· Buildings

-City Hall

-Public Safety

-Public Services

-Fred C. Wescott Building

-Walker Memorial Library

-Parking Garage

Monday, April 25th

· WEIC

· Community Services

-Recreation Funds

-General Assistance

-Social Services

· Library

· Mayor’s Office

· Legal & Risk Management

· Public Transportation

· City Clerk

· Finance & Assessing

· IT

· Human Resources

· Employee Benefits

· Debt Service

· County Taxes

· Transfers

· Revenue