Health insurance costs are also expected to rise, but the amount is unknown right now. Fale said those increases could have implications on the budget going forward, especially on staffing levels, but a decision on that is still weeks away. Potential cuts all depend on how much that increase is, he said, adding that district officials are hoping to avoid the elimination of positions.

Fale said the district might add security guards at the three elementary schools. Recommendations from a security audit will be presented to the board at the Feb. 27 meeting, which could also add costs to the budget.

The Board of Education will continue to discuss the tentative budget over the next several weeks, and it is expected to adopt a proposed spending plan at the end of March. The public will have its say on the budget on May 21.