In the first look at the fiscal year 2025 budget for Dartmouth Public Schools, transportation costs are likely to see an increase, said Assistant Superintendent James Kiely at the Oct. 16 School Committee meeting. 

The preliminary budget for 2025 is $54.2 million, which would be a 5.3% increase from 2024’s budget.  

The budget is being addressed much earlier than it has been in years prior. 

“Our process is a little different this year, normally we have a very collaborative process in which we are working with all of the stakeholder groups,” Kiely said. “We’re not there yet, it is early for that.”

Kiely said this is only a starting point for the budget. 

“This is much earlier than I would normally do these types of activities so I have less data to rely on,” Kiely said. “When you are projecting things early, it makes it a little more challenging.” 

Kiely said that transportation services will be more expensive than in previous years due to the expiration of a three-year contract and minimum wage increases. 

“It is a guarantee that it is going to increase significantly,” Kiely said. He predicts transportation service costs will grow by around 15%.

Kiely also said that elementary school class sizes may need to be adjusted.

 “There are some classrooms that will have more kids in them,” Kiely said. “We have been working hard to be more efficient.” 

Over the next several months, the school committee will start working with the town to gain a clearer idea of the budget.