The Allentown School District's finance committee voted Oct. 23 to move an Act 1 opt-out resolution to the full board meeting later the same evening, after a presentation from district finance staff on the state Act 1 index and local options for tax-rate setting.

District finance staff explained the state's Act 1 base index for the coming year and said Allentown's computed index was 5.4% (the maximum tax increase permissible without referendum). The administration recommended the board consider a resolution that would simplify the district's budget procedure by indicating the district does not plan to go up to the full index. The staff presenter said that if the resolution were not passed, the district would follow a different process that could enable exceptions and potential higher increases.

After brief clarification questions from board members about the mechanics and implications of opting out, a motion was made to move the resolution to the later regular meeting. The committee recorded an "Aye" vote and the item was advanced for final consideration.

The committee did not adopt a final tax rate at the meeting; instead, the motion forwarded the Act 1 opt-out resolution to the regular board meeting for formal action.

Ending: The committee advanced the Act 1 opt-out resolution to the full board for vote; no final tax decision was adopted at the committee meeting.