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 — not a final, approved tax increase. The board said the administration will present detailed budget scenarios, including lower-tax options and related program or staffing tradeoffs, at committee meetings ahead of final adoption.

Public comment and board responses: Several residents used the three-minute public-comment period to press the board on fiscal transparency and equity. Speakers asked for a line-by-line breakdown of building and program budgets, questioned the district’s contracts and purchases, and asked how seniors and low-income households would be protected if taxes rise. One speaker called the proposed increase “outrageous” and urged the board to cut administrative costs. Another resident described an ongoing bullying case and asked why the district had not removed a repeat offender from a bus route.

Board members and administrators responded at the meeting and in later remarks. Finance committee presenter and board member Mister Williams said the board had not approved a 5.3% tax increase and that the number is the Act 1 index: "The 5.3, we utilize because that's the Act 1 tax index. That's the number that we could go as high for tax. That does not mean it's gonna be the final tax increase at this point." He said the administration would present the budget and scenarios on May 12 committee meetings and that the public would have an opportunity to review the budget book, which will be available at the district office.

Procedure and next steps: The board noted that committee meetings scheduled for May 12 will include the administration’s budget presentations (the finance discussion will be last that day) and that the regular meeting to consider final approval is scheduled for May 19. The district said the budget book would be available the day after the meeting for public review, and that right-to-know procedures remain available for requests for specific records.

Votes at a glance (select items approved): - Proposed 2025-26 general fund budget — approved (motion, second; recorded vote: 8 yes) - Treasurer’s report and bills & salaries — approved (recorded vote: 8 yes) - Property tax assessment GRAMA item and separation/release agreement dated 04/11/2025 with employee O11207 — approved (recorded vote: 8 yes) - Finance committee initial approvals: appointment to Lehigh Tax Collections Committee; GASB 75 agreement; Met’s Culinary Management renewal; bond resolution for capital improvements — all approved (recorded vote: 8 yes) - Education approvals: girls wrestling PIAA-sanctioned club; Pre-K Counts agreement with Community Services for Children for 2025-26; memorandum of understanding with Whitehall Township Police (effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2027); memorandum of understanding with CLIU21 for support services (effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2026); listed field trips and a Lehigh STEM summer camp — all approved - Operations: IU21 facility plan committee resolution; summer transportation assignments — approved - Administrative/personnel: support personnel agendas, personnel actions including the late resignation of Dr. Alicia Knopf, affidavits and residency/homebound acknowledgements — approved

What the board said about transparency and burden on staff: Board members reiterated that detailed budget materials would be presented in committee and that administrative staff field many public inquiries; those seeking specific documents were advised to use the district’s right-to-know process. The board also noted the district will continue work on a senior citizen rebate program that had been discussed previously.

Background: Under Pennsylvania’s Act 1 index, school districts compute a “no-new-tax” index that serves as the statutory ceiling for property tax increases without voter approval. Districts commonly publish the index as the upper bound during early budget work; the final tax rate is set later in the budget adoption process.

Looking ahead: Administration presentations and committee-level budget discussions are scheduled for May 12; the board said those meetings will include alternate budget scenarios and the specific cuts or revenue changes needed to reach lower tax-impact outcomes. The board will consider final adoption at the May 19 meeting.