The Whitehall-Coplay School District 2014-15 proposed budget includes a tax increase.

The board approved the budget at the May 13 meeting by a vote of 5-3.

Board President Tina Koren, as well as board members Owen Eberhart Jr., and Patty Gaugler voted in opposition. Board member Eileen Abruzzi was absent.

The proposed budget amounts to $59,654,053 and translates into an increase of 5.56 percent from the prior year.

The budget balances revenues with projected expenditures at a tax rate of 15.6374 mills.

The budget is $47,979 under the Act 1 maximum tax limit.

District Superintendent John Corby explained the 2014-15 budget is only the proposed budget and the final budget will be passed at the board's June 23 special meeting.

"There's a consideral amount of dollars we can't put in the budget until Harrisburg presents its final numbers," he said.

Once the final budget is completed, it will be displayed for the public.

In other business, the board approved the replacement of the middle school gymnasium floor with Miller Flooring.

The floor will be furbished with a scissor-locfloor, along with a heavy-duty vapor barrier and an actively monitored and vented floor system.

Corby said the money for the project comes from the capital reserve funds.

Also during the meeting, the board approved the appointment of Amelia Bachman as a speech therapist at Steckel Elementary School for the 2014-15 year.

The board also elected Arthur F. Taschler Jr. as its treasurer at its meeting May 12.

Board President Tina Koren nominated Taschler, after which, board member Josef Fragnito made a motion to close the nomination, which was seconded by member Wayne Grim.

Taschler will serve in the position for a one-year term from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

"On most boards the treasurer is paid," Corby said. "A couple years ago, the board decided that our treasurer would forgo the salary, which is about $3,000. Instead, we put the money towards better uses such as scholarships for the students."