It equated to around 4 per cent of the school's operating budget, though Mr Paitai was not sure how costs would be cut at this stage.
"We need every dollar we've got really," he said.
Mr Paitai said he did not believe the new decile reflected the socio-economic backgrounds of the students because it took into account more wealthy areas such as Russell, Paihia and Waitangi. Often students in those areas went to bigger schools such as Kerikeri High School or in Whangarei.
Nationally, around a third of schools, approximately 800 schools, received a higher decile while a third remained the same and the other third received a lower decile rating.
Hora Hora School principal Pat Newman said his school had received a lower category of decile 2 which means it will receive around $28,000 extra per year.
"I actually thought we probably would have dropped below that," he said.
Mr Newman, who is also the president of the Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association, urged schools who did not agree with their new decile to appeal.
Manaia View School principal Leanne Otene said her decile 1 school had remained the same which was "no surprise".
Many schools had not yet been notified but should know the outcome of the decile review by Thursday, with the results released publicly on Friday.
The higher funding rate for those that received a lower decile would apply from the start of the 2015 school year. However, schools that received less funding would have the new funding rate gradually phased in over 18 months.