Rising special education and transportation costs in Epsom – two things school officials have little control over – have led to a proposed budget that carries a significant tax increase.

If the $14.2 million Epsom school budget is passed, it would increase taxes by $675 a year on a $300,000 home. The default budget is slightly higher and would mean an even larger tax increase.

Those numbers may come as a shock to some residents, but few people have attended any of the budget committee meetings leading up to Saturday’s deliberative session, said Selectwoman Virginia Drew.

“I recognize people can’t afford their taxes to go up that much, but that’s how the funding system works in New Hampshire,” Drew said.

Nearly 70% of all taxes paid in Epsom go toward schools.

If all spending measures are approved this year on both the town and school side, taxes would rise by $930 a year on a house worth $300,000.

“It’s an investment in your future, on the other hand, you’re looking at a $900 tax increase,” Drew said.

Drew praised the work of the budget committee, who worked to pare back spending as best they could.

“People go through every single line to pay for things that are needed, but also keep it affordable for residents,” Drew said.

The school budget would increase by $762,404 over the current spending plan. Nearly all of that comes from two increases – $500,000 in student transportation and $371,000 in special programs. Cuts were made in areas to offset increases.

In addition to the school budget, a proposed three-year contract for teachers increases spending by about $100,000 in its first year, $166,000 in its second and $118,000 in its third.

The town’s $4 million budget, which is up slightly from last year, would increase taxes by about $70 a year for an average home. Money to go toward road construction would add a similar amount.

“If they really, really don’t like it, they can amend it,” Drew said.

In addition to cost items this year, residents will face 10 petitioned warrant articles that seek to eliminate or restrict firearm sales in residential areas.

Epsom residents will consider town and school spending, along with other proposals Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the Epsom Central School.