For the first time in recent memory, the Budget Request from Wareham Public Schools’ administrators could be on track for a smooth approval process.

On Wednesday night at a joint meeting of the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and the Finance Committee, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood and district Business Manager Michael MacMillan breezed through the presentation of a $28,382,503 budget for the 2016-17 school year.

The proposed budget, which she said reflects a 4.6 percent increase over the current year’s budget, was met with little to no feedback or questions from the three committees, marking a change from the past few years when budget proposals were met with much more scrutiny.

“Our charge was develop a level-service budget,” said Shaver-Hood, meaning that in general, services for students would not be increased. “(Accounted for are) increases in salaries per contract, student needs, and a slight increase for inflation.”

Both Shaver-Hood and MacMillan spoke of a large increase in teacher contracts, as a number of instructors have reached the point in their careers where their salaries jump up significantly. The budget reflects an $810,027 increase in salaries.

“We have a number of staff on Step-10,” said Shaver-Hood, noting a larger contractual jump than what has been experienced in past years.

MacMillan also noted a continued increase in tuition and providing transportation to students receiving out-of-district education, including those who need special education the district is unable to provide.

“We’ve seen a big increase in the past few years (in providing special education),” said MacMillan. “It’s still a big chunk of our expenditures.”

The only line of questioning, albeit brief, came from the Finance Committee about an increase in spending on assistant principals in the district, but Shaver-Hood and MacMillan noted a need to take current district employees and move some into a more-administrative role.

“We desperately needed additional help with administrative tasks because of student needs,” said Shaver-Hood. “They were able to assume additional responsibilities meeting the needs.”

In June of 2014, voters rejected a Proposition 2 1/2 override that would have allowed the schools to increase the budget to fund several unmet needs and goals. In the past, MacMillan has also pointed to a large reduction in federal grants in recent years as being another key contributing factor to the increased budget.

Ultimately, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan, the School Committee, and voters at Spring Town Meeting will need to approve the budget before it can go into action.

Since 2012, Shaver-Hood said the instructional staff at the schools has gone from 237 to 205 currently to account for increasing costs. Overall, the district has gone from 384 employees to 353.

Shaver-Hood said there are several priorities not included in the budget, such as a need to update property and equipment at several of the district’s schools. The budget does account, however, for advancements in the technology available to students and teachers.

MacMillan laid out a timeline for the budget, which normally isn’t presented until after the new year, that includes a December 16 school committee vote and submission to Town Administrator Derek Sullivan for January 5.

“Our job is to provide a quality education to our students,” she said. ”We believe this budget will allow us to do so.”