LEBANON — Voters will consider a $45.6 million budget and a $20.4 million plan to renovate city schools during the Lebanon School District’s deliberative session on Saturday.

The proposed budget for the 2020-21 school year amounts to a $1.1 million increase, or roughly 2.5%, over the current year’s spending plan. If it fails at the polls in March, a default budget of $45.1 million would take effect.

School officials say the increase is largely caused by fixed costs such as salaries, benefits and funding for special education.

For instance, special education costs would go up $850,513 in the proposed budget because more students are being sent to out-of-district schools.

Staffing changes would add a full-time teacher and a paraeducator at the Mount Lebanon School, which is expecting rising enrollments next year.

Meanwhile, a part-time French teacher at the high school also would be made full-time because of “strong enrollment” in the course, according to budget documents presented to the School Board.

Residents also will discuss the School Board’s plans to spend $20.4 million on building upgrades at three of Lebanon’s schools.

Under the proposal, the school district’s two elementary schools — Mount Lebanon and Hanover Street — and high school would see new secure entryways built to better protect students.

The project would add a new lobby and “music suite” at Lebanon High School, cafeteria and instructional space at the Hanover Street School and a kitchen and general office at the Mount Lebanon School, among other improvements.

Long-term borrowing for the construction requires 60% support from voters participating in March’s municipal elections.

Also on the warrant is a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Lebanon Support Staff. If approved, it would increase costs by $201,698 in its first year, then by $154,271 in 2022 and $145,530 in 2023.

School officials predict the tax rate will increase by $1.11 per $1,000 of valuation if all warrant articles are approved on the March ballot. That amounts to $278 in additional taxes for a home assessed at $250,000.

A copy of the school district’s annual report and budget information can be found on the district’s website, sau88.net.

The deliberative session of the Lebanon School District’s annual meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Lebanon Middle School to amend warrant articles. Ballot voting on all warrant articles is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at city polling locations.

Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.