A real estate tax increase is in store for North Catasauqua homeowners next year.

The Catasauqua Area School Board approved the 2014-15 proposed budget May 13.

The budget includes a 1.6-mill increase for Northampton County residents who reside in the school district this means those who live in North Catasauqua.

The millage rate for Lehigh County residents is 16.31, amounting to a 0-percent tax increase.

District Superintendent Robert Spengler told board members the difference in the millage rate between Lehigh and Northampton counties is due to the value of homes in each county.

"It has to do with the assessed values," he said. "That's telling me that Lehigh County has grown at a faster pace."

General fund expenditures and revenues for 2014-15 are estimated at $26,800,000.

Included in next year's budget is $150,000 reserved for the one-to-one laptop program that Catasauqua High School will roll out in the fall. The program, over a four-year period, will cost the district $600,000.

Spengler reminded board members the board can discuss and alter the proposed budget during the 30 days following their vote to approve it.

"It is a preliminary step in the process," he said of the proposed budget.

The board will meet 6 p.m. June 11 to approve the final budget.

In other business, board member Donald Panto was unanimously approved to serve as treasurer of the board, effective July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.

Also at the school board meeting, Catasauqua High School student Kanyi Creppy was publicly recognized for being nominated for a Freddy Award in the category of outstanding feature performance by an actor in this year's "Big River" musical. Creppy played the role of Jim in the musical. This is the second year in a row Creppy has been nominated for a Freddy Award.