$15.63M budget for Bay Path is approved.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Debbie LaPlaca

CHARLTON - A $15.63 million budget for fiscal 2008 for Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School was approved last night.

The unanimous vote by the Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School Committee followed a half-hour public hearing on the budget, which is predicated on Gov. Deval L. Patrick's budget proposal for fiscal 2008, pending final action by the state Legislature.

The spending plan calls for an 11 percent increase, or $1.55 million more than, this year's budget.

The 10-town school district expects $592,000 in state aid for transportation, $325,000 in tuition fees from out-of-district students, and $8.37 million in Chapter 70 revenue, which is a 14 percent increase over fiscal 2007.

During the public hearing, Business Manager John Lafleche presented a comprehensive explanation of the Chapter 70 state aid formula that considers a town's taxable property value and townwide income to determine the minimum contribution by assessment.

"Our Chapter 70 is up 14 percent, because we have a 7 percent increase in enrollment," Mr. Lafleche said.

The in-district enrollment increase is the result of adding three towns to the school district last year. The school's current enrollment is 1,082 students.

The 10 member towns will be assessed a total of $6.34 million, a $472,424 increase over this year's assessments.

Superintendent-Director David P. Papagni said 87 percent of the assessment is the minimum contribution based on the Chapter...