Northern Lehigh board adopts preliminary 2024-25 budget with 5.12% maximum tax increase

The Northern Lehigh School District Board of Education on Monday adopted a preliminary 2024-25 budget that uses a 5.12% maximum tax increase as its ceiling while administration finalizes numbers and possible one-time fund-balance uses.

The motion, which was moved and seconded during the meeting, passed by voice vote. Administrators said the district currently projects a June 30, 2024 fund balance of roughly $16.67 million, plans about $420,000 in one-time purchases (technology upgrades, a feasibility study and ELA curriculum purchases) and still faces an estimated budget shortfall of about $621,500 for 2024-25 if no tax increase is adopted.

Under the preliminary resolution the board set proposed millage rates at 26.153 mills for Lehigh County and 77.9804 mills for Northampton County. Administration told the board a 5.12% tax increase would cover the identified shortfall and avoid drawing on additional fund balance; smaller increases would leave remaining gaps that would require other adjustments.

Business manager presentations showed alternative scenarios and homeowner impact examples: officials noted Homestead/Farmstead relief increases from the state will reduce the per-household net impact, and staff provided comparative figures for 1% and 3% levy increases alongside the 5.12% scenario.

Board members emphasized that tonight’s action establishes a maximum—administration will continue to refine the budget and can reduce the increase before the final June vote. The board called a special meeting for Monday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m. to approve the final budget after the required public display period.

Action taken: preliminary budget adopted with a 5.12% maximum tax increase and the provisional millage rates listed above; a final budget vote is scheduled for June 24.

Speakers quoted: Business manager (presentation), board members (motion and votes).