HAMILTON — In its first draft budget, the Hamilton Board of Education could raise taxes just under the 2 percent cap as part of its $184 million 2013-14 spending plan.

Overall, the proposed budget would increase spending by less than one percent, to a total of $184,040,000. Superintendent James Parla said the budget would help the district address problems such as lagging test scores, aging infrastructure and cuts in previous budgets.

“We’re going to manage our resources as best as we can and we are going to continue to manage these issues,” he said.

More than 100 residents attended the budget unveiling Wednesday night at Mercer County Community College. The district has to adopt a budget by March 28, and will also be holding public hearings that week as well as during several forums over the next two months.

Counting the district’s debt service, total taxes will go up about $3.63, to about $2,540 for a home assessed at $130,000. Parla said the district saved more than $400,000 in its bond refinancing process, which resulted in the smaller tax increase.

“You couldn’t buy a Happy Meal with that,” he said.

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