Beginning next year, high school freshman will be required to demonstrate in-depth understanding in English, math, science and technology, and social studies.

The $104.8 million package, which was trimmed twice, comes with a 2.5 percent tax increase, the rate requested by the City Council’s finance committee.

Finance committee members lament the elimination of long-term improvements but endorse a $104.8 million spending plan that will increase taxes for schools by 2.5 percent.