Bethlehem taxpayers will see a 2.9 percent tax hike as a result of a 2015-'16 budget that was approved at a recent school board meeting.

The approximately $245 million spending plan includes full-day kindergarten throughout the district's 16 elementary schools.

The average district homeowner will see an increase of just under $100 next year. The budget process began with more than an $11 million deficit, as the current budget will use about $2 million of district savings to help balance the budget.

The budget includes $1.5 million from the state, although Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget includes about $5 million for the district.

Basilio Bonilla and Rogelio Ortiz cast the dissenting votes in a 7-2 vote. Bonilla said he voted against the budget due to an outcry from senior citizens on a fixed income.

New administrators

Two new administrators and a principal were announced at the June 22 school board meeting.

Theo Quinones, an assistant principal from the Stroudsburg School District since 2009, has been hired as the principal at Governor Wolf ES. His annual salary is slightly more than $100,000.

Quinones will replace Jodi Frankelli who will become the district's supervisor of early learning, grants and development. Her annual salary is slightly more than $107,000.

Vivian Robledo-Shorey has been promoted from district supervisor of student and community engagement to director of student services and minority affairs. She will take over for Dr. Dean Donaher who has worked 30 years for the district.

Lehigh Valley Dual Language Charter School

The charter school is being delayed in its quest to relocate, as a vote was tabled at the most recent school board meeting.

Lehigh Valley Dual Language is attempting to relocate from its Thomas Street location to the 600 block of East Broad Street, largely due to the school being overcrowded.

Board President Michael Faccinetto said the vote was tabled so that the school can abide by the state bidding process.