The Catasauqua Area School Board has again committed itself to not raising taxes beyond the Act 1 state tax index.

The board unanimously approved a resolution at the Jan. 17 meeting to not exceed the 2017-18 state tax index of 3.2 percent. Last year’s index was 3.1 percent.

The index is based on relative wealth, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

District Superintendent Robert Spengler previously told The Press the index closely follows economic conditions and is heavily based on statewide average weekly wage increases and the percentage of changes in school employee compensation costs nationwide.

According to Spengler, the board will begin budget discussions next month.

Spengler said state funding historically has been the least predictable variable when drafting the budget.

“At this point, our greatest expense factors are a significant increase (over $400,000) in charter school tuition payments and state- mandated pension payments of nearly $250,000, and no expectation of increased state funding to address these state- mandated expenses,” he said.

Spengler lauded the board for its efforts during past budget discussions and votes.

“The board of school directors has kept other expense areas at a minimum with efficiencies in staffing, benefits, utilities, etc,” he said.