BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Though the Hopkinton School District is uneasy over recent tax increases and the possibility of losing more than $500,000 in anticipated state aid, the school board will go before the public and make its case for further increases in spending.

At School District Meeting on Saturday, March 10, officials will recommend a $15,110,755 operating budget.

The town budget committee is recommending an operating budget of $14,970,359.

Should the school board’s budget be approved, the district will see a 3 percent increase over last year’s budget of $14,622,548.

The board will also ask residents to approve a warrant article for $372,000 for repairs and upgrades to Harold Martin Elementary School and Hopkinton/Middle High School.

If approved, the article will finance a new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, 48 new single-pane windows, and additional parking for Harold Martin Elementary School; and one modular, two-classroom unit and a new security system for Hopkinton/Middle High School.

There is also a petition warrant article that will restrict the school district from hiring any new employees and hold the number of personnel to the amount employed as of Jan. 1, 2007.

It further explains that should the district’s budget be reduced at School District Meeting, positions be eliminated or reduced to meet the new budget.

Hopkinton School District Meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, in the Hopkinton/Middle High School gymnasium.