PORTSMOUTH — “We ought to be hearing ‘hurrays’ from Town Hall when this is presented,” School Committee member Emily Copeland said of the $37.27 million school budget for fiscal year 2016 that was unanimously approved Tuesday night.

The proposed spending plan is $557,985 less than the current budget of $37.83 million, a decrease of 1.48 percent. The requested appropriation from the town is $30.85 million — the same as for this year’s budget. The School Committee will present its budget to the council on April 15.

Superintendent of Schools Ana C. Riley said the 2016 budget, despite having no spending increase, does not shortchange educational goals in Portsmouth and actually reflects growth.

“We have budgeted according to our Strategic Plan,” said Ms. Riley.

A major factor in allowing the schools to keep the budget in line is the sizable decrease in costs for professional services, including special ed.

Last year the Portsmouth public schools pulled out of the Newport County Regional Special Education Program, which also serves Middletown, Tiverton and Little Compton. Administrators and School Committee members argued the district could provide higher quality special ed services for students on its own while saving significant money by no longer having to pay the Regional for services.

“All of our special ed is in-house now,” said Ms. Riley, adding that the district will save $405,000 on those services. She pointed out, however, that the district will not realize those kinds of savings every year.

Several School Committee members praised administrators for their work on the budget. John Wojichowski said the average annual school budget increase over the past three years has been 0.6 percent.

“I think that says a lot all by itself. Hopefully no one can suggest the School Committee or the School Department is not being responsible for taxpayer dollars,” he said.

Capital improvements sought

While the School Committee won’t be seeking extra money from the Town Council in next year’s school budget, it will be requesting about $490,000 in capital funds for major repairs to buildings and other property. That represents a portion of $2.8 million worth of improvements recommended under a five-year capital improvement plan prepared by the School Department.

In addition to the capital budget request, the department intends to use about $2 million of its accumulated fund surplus to complete additional facility repairs.

Ms. Riley said the requested capital funds are for priority issues that impact health and safety, such as a new roof at Hathaway School.

“We are looking for 0 percent from the town. What we really need for the town are our capital funds,” she said.

Larry Fitzmorris of the taxpayer watchdog group Portsmouth Concerned Citizens said the schools’ “operational budget looks great,” but said requesting more than $400,000 in capital funds is the committee’s “bone of contention” with the Town Council.

“They’re really short of funds over there,” Mr. Fitzmorris said.

After the School Committee presents its budget on April 15, the Town Council is expected to approve a provisional budget on May 15. A public hearing at the middle school will then follow on June 10, after which the council will adopt a final spending plan.