With declining enrollments, rising health insurance and retirement service payment costs, as well as other financial needs projected for the year ahead, the Mathews County School Board will be looking for an increase of 7.75 percent in local funds for its 2014-2015 budget.

School board members met Tuesday afternoon in the school board office conference room to review its draft budget ahead of next week’s public hearing.

The proposed $13.61 million budget represents an increase of $765,910, or 5.95 percent, from the current operating figure of $12.85 million. Much of that increase—$547,255—is being requested from the county.

Included in the budget is a 2 percent raise for all employees, plus step on the salary scale, amounting to an increase of approximately $291,000, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. David J. Holleran.

“Our employees have been working hard, pulling extra duties due to the loss of 40 positions over the last three years,” Holler...