AUBURN — The school department is facing health insurance costs for staff that will be 4 percent higher next year, not the 10 percent increase originally budgeted, according to Superintendent Katy Grondin.

The savings will be used to help property taxpayers, Grondin said Monday.

Grondin said her revised, recommended school budget for 2012-13 will be $36.09 million instead of $36.3 million. The lower amount is because health insurance costs are not climbing as high as expected.

If the revised school budget is passed, it would mean a home valued at $150,000 would be taxed $79 more than currently. The earlier budget proposal would have meant a $97.50 tax increase for a $150,000 home.

A public hearing on the proposed school budget will be held during the Auburn School Committee meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Auburn Hall.