Westbrook voters will decide Tuesday on a $38.6 million school budget that would fund several new positions.

The proposed spending plan is an increase of $2.3 million, or 6.5 percent, over the current year. It would increase the tax rate by 88 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That translates to $176 on the tax bill for a home assessed at $200,000.

Superintendent Peter Lancia has said much of new spending was unavoidable.

The first bond payment for a $27 million school renovation is due next year, and that accounts for 48 cents of the increase. Voters approved that project for Westbrook Middle School and Saccarappa Elementary School in 2016.

Employee raises and benefits added more than $900,000 alone. The budget also funds several new positions, including an additional social worker at Westbrook High School and two elementary school STEAM teachers. Those jobs, as well as a new duty aide, would cost more than $189,000.

The school budget survived an attempted cut at the Westbrook City Council last month.

Polls in Westbrook are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents of Wards 1 and 4 vote at the Westbrook Community Center gym at 426 Bridge St. Residents of Wards 2 and 3 will vote at the Westbrook High School gym at 125 Stroudwater St., a one-time change from previous elections. Residents of Ward 5 vote at the Prides Corner Congregational Church at 235 Pride St.

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