The Westbrook School Committee is expected to approve the $35.1 million fiscal year 2016-17 school budget this week, sending the budget on to the City Council.

Last Wednesday, the committee made a few last-minute adjustments prior to the vote, adding an additional $238,000 in positions, including a K-8 school resource officer, an elementary school teacher, a technology integrator, and more.

The cost of the additional school resource officer will be split with the city, and was the source of debate among a few committee members. School Committee member Noreen Poitras cast the lone vote to deny the officer, arguing that a police officer isn’t necessary with students within that age bracket. 

No one from the public spoke during a public hearing on the school budget. 

The second and final reading, on Wednesday, April 13, after the American Journal’s deadline, will end the school department’s work on the budget. The City Council will hold first reading on the school budget during its May 2 meeting. 

The budget, at $35,164,173, is a 3 percent spending increase from this year’s $34.1 budget. Teacher salaries and benefits increased by about $1 million, but school revenues were up slightly. 

The school department is asking for a city appropriation of $18.1 million, which reflects a 10 cent increase to the city’s property tax rate. 

The budget validation referendum in Westbrook will be held Tuesday, June 14.