The Whitehall-Coplay School Board passed the preliminary budget for 2013-14.

The preliminary budget totals $57,608,311, which represents an increase of 5.28 percent from the previous year.

The budget is prepared with predicted expenses and an anticipated increase in real estate taxes of 3.06 mills.

"This budget it just preliminary. The numbers will move in every direction given what the governor says," said school board Treasurer Arthur Taschler.

"These numbers will enable us to apply for exceptions, but they're not the final numbers," he said.

In other business, Whitehall Township Treasurer Diane Hunsicker addressed the school board. Hunsicker asked that the board reconsider the salaries for treasurers.

"There hasn't been an increase in eight years," she said.

School board Vice President Tina Koren asked Hunsicker if the township agreed to an increase. Hunsicker said yes.

In administrative matters, the board approved the retirement of William Hillegas III, a bus driver who worked for the district for 11 years; Jan Dietrich, a special education paraeducator at Zephyr who has been employed in the school district for 13 years; and Constance Beidleman, a secretary in the district office, for the past 17 years.

District Superintendent John Corby recognized the retirees for their years of service.

"Their years and work is truly appreciated," he said.