Bethel Public School officials remain concern with state proposals to pass down a portion of the Teachers Retirement System to local municipalities. Coupled with reductions in Education Cost Sharing funding, they says the impact could have a significant impact on local schools. Bethel spends $15,545 dollars in per pupil expenditures, with the state average of about $17,000. Bethel also has a growing student enrollment, with more special education students and English Learners. The number of students participating in the free and reduced price lunch program stands at 28-percent, an increase from 8-percent 12 years ago.