The up-Island regional school committee voted last week to certify a $11.5 million budget. Slight adjustments were made since a public hearing in late December, but the bottom line saw little change. The budget is a 3.4 per cent increase over last year.

The West Tisbury school will reduce spending by $50,000, cutting $25,000 each from salary and long-term maintenance lines. Principal Donna Lowell-Bettencourt said she hopes to be able to save $25,000 in staffing due to a not-yet-announced retirement. As for long-term maintenance, she said the decrease would push a couple of regular room renovations back a year.

“I don’t like to cut the maintenance money, but there really isn’t any other money if you really don’t want me to affect programs,” she said.

The committee had asked for $50,000 to be cut due to current capital projects at the West Tisbury school costing more than anticipated.

Committee members voted to add $52,070 to the budget for three capital projects slated to be completed next year. They include the second phase of alarm panel installation at the West Tisbury school, the second phase of a Chilmark HVAC project and a flooring project at the Chilmark school.

The committee voted unanimously to certify the budget. Committee member Jeffrey (Skipper) Manter 3rd was not present.