With virtually no discussion, the regional high school district committee voted Monday to certify an $18.6 million operating budget for the coming year. Salary increases, funding for a school resource officer and a recently completed roof replacement project are all including in the spending package.

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School district committee voted this week to certify a $17.6 million budget for the coming fiscal year, an increase of $732,927 or 4.3 per cent.

“Much of the budget is driven by things we cannot control,” high school principal Stephen Nixon said during a public presentation of the budget last week, noting fixed costs that include salaries, debt service, retirement, shared services and health insurance. Those costs alone total $5.4 million, an increase of 13.3 per cent over last year, Mr. Nixon said.

Disappointed students and some angry parents could not convince the regional high school committee this week to lift its ban on air travel for school trips.

With little discussion, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School district committee voted on Monday night to certify a $16.6 million operating budget for the coming fiscal year, a .98 per cent increase over last year.

Even with most teachers receiving two per cent contractual salary increases next year, the extra spending will be offset by staff reductions due to retirements and the elimination of the home economics program.