Board approves proposed 2025-26 budget, multiple routine items; public raises tax, transparency and bullying concerns

The Whitehall-Coplay School District Board of School Directors on April 28 approved a proposed 2025-26 general fund budget and a series of committee and administrative items, while residents used the meeting’s public-comment period to press elected officials about a potential 5.3% tax increase, transparency about contracts, and unresolved bullying complaints.

Board action: The board voted to approve the proposed 2025-26 general fund budget after a motion, second and roll call (motion approved; recorded vote: 8 yes, 0 no). The board also approved the treasurer’s report and bills and salaries; a property tax assessment GRAMA item and a separation and release agreement dated 04/11/2025 with employee O11207; several finance items including an appointment to the Lehigh Tax Collections Committee, a GASB 75 agreement, Met’s Culinary Management renewal and a bond resolution for capital projects; multiple education and operations items; and several personnel and administrative agenda items, including a resignation and acknowledgments of affidavits and homebound instruction. All motions brought to votes at the meeting were approved by the board during the session.

Why it matters: The proposed budget sets the formal public process in motion. Board members emphasized that the 5.3% figure publicized earlier is the Act 1 tax-index ceiling — the maximum the district could propose under state law —…