The Bethel Board of Education has approved a budget for the coming year. The proposed 3.43-percent increase focuses on maintaining curricular and extracurricular programs, while continuing to make progress towards the goals of the district's Strategic Plan. Superintendent Dr Christine Carver says they are challenged this year with increased enrollment and some shifting demographics.  The budget will be presented to the Boards of Selectman and Finance tonight at 6:30 PM in the Municipal Center.  The presentation will highlight the priorities towards accomplishing goals as a system and continued growth in the district’s primary purpose, to improve student achievement. The $46.7 million proposal accounts for reductions in state funding and a new state graduation requirement that all students take a foreign language.