When it comes to budgeting an entire school district, talk isn't cheap.

Discussion among the Finance and School Committees as well as Selectmen on how to use the nearly $30 million dollars budgeted for the coming fiscal year continued on Wednesday night.

The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (which begins July 1, 2017) is $29,967,163 – a 6 percent increase from last year. For the current fiscal year, the budget increase was 4.2 percent. Prior to that, the budget hadn't increased more than 2.4 percent since 2008.

Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-hood and Business Manager Michael MacMillan presented the board with the proposal.

Of the $29 million budget, the largest raises were in pupil services and guidance, counseling and testing (13 percent each).

“One of the things we've received comments and criticism on is the lack of social counseling and social support and being able to prevent discipline problems,” said Shaver-Hood. “We have a number of students who are facing significant trauma in their homes. Because of that...their learning was disrupted.”

An additional $108,755 will be used to upgrade social services in schools.

After some discussion about support for special education programs, committee members took a hard look at Wareham's position amongst neighboring towns and in the state.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan turned to the facts: Wareham's average single family income is in the bottom 10 percent of the state and income per capita is the second lowest in the county.

“I wish we had more for everyone,” said Sullivan.

Despite these limitations, Wareham has earned recognition for its frugality.

“The Department of Revenue has complimented Wareham and its fiscal management and turnaround,” said Board of Selectmen Chair Judith Whiteside. “It points to Wareham as an example of how to do it right. The key word is 'management.'”

The meeting ended on a hopeful note.

“We are Wareham,” said Lazarus. “We will find a way to make things work.”