The Westbrook School Committee, in a first reading April 2, passed a $53.4 million spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The action “pleased” Superintendent Peter Lancia. “It was developed and is needs based,” Lancia told Westbrook Now in an email April 3. “It’s a very, very lean budget, but we are confident that it will meet the needs of all of our students.”

While lean, no one lost a job, Lancia said.

The budget rises $2.9 million, from $50.4 million, for the current year, representing an increase of 5.79%. Salaries and benefits account for 78% of the school budget, according to Lancia.

The portion of the city’s tax rate to pay for education goes up an estimated 53 cents from $8.23 per $1,000 dollars of assessed valuation to $8.76, based on the city’s overall valuation from last July. Taxes on a home valued at $400,000 would rise from the current $3,292 to $3,504, a jump of $212, to pay for local schools.

Brian Mazjanis, school department director of finance, said in an email after the vote that the budget was approved “after weeks of careful review.” Mazjanis said the budget includes a 3.6% contractual salary increase, health insurance hikes and a 0.7% increase in new district positions.

“To meet students’ needs, several targeted positions were added,” Mazjanis said. “The majority of these costs have been offset by eliminating vacant positions or reassigning personnel.”

Noreen Poitras, Finance Committee chairperson, backed the proposed new budget in a meeting preceding the School Committee vote. “We are all here for the kids and staff,” Poitras said. “We are here for the community that uses our buildings.”

Lancia said the state subsidy is expected to be nearly $20.4million, up about $818,389 from the current amount.

Wendy Harvey, high school co-principal, before the vote, pointed to the department’s motto: “We have one promise, the best education for all for life.” Harvey said it means every student is important.

“You have decided to deliver on the promise,” Harvey said.

Former School Committee chairperson Suzanne Salisbury, in a reference to the budget needing to survive both a City Council vote and then a public voter validation referendum, told the board, “You are in a no-win situation.”

Salisbury added that the budget is about getting it “across the finish line.”

Lancia said schools are about learning and about children. “It’s our duty to take care of them,” Lancia said.

The board approved the budget, 6-1, with School Committee member Jeremy McGowan opposed. “I voted no because I think there should be more in the budget,” McGowan said.

The School Committee was expected to have a second reading vote on April 9 and a City Council first reading on April 28.