During the May 6 Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education meeting, board members approved the 2025-26 proposed final budget. The budget includes a tax increase for Lehigh County residents and a decrease for Northampton County residents.

The proposed budget estimates expenditures at $44,751,399 and balances revenues with a real estate tax rate of 23.0409 mills in Lehigh County and 58.5738 mills in Northampton County. Lehigh County residents will see a 6.26% increase, while Northampton County residents will see a 4.48% decrease, due to the required multi-district balancing.

It was noted there have been increases in the charter school tuition and transportation costs and special education costs the district is required to fund. Additionally, the district is working on capital projects and is adding a special education teacher.

In response to a question from a resident, the administration and board noted the school only pays the charter school what they are required to and no more.

The resident said he was told the school district was helping with Innovative Arts Academy Charter School’s construction project and offering equipment. The board and administration said that is not happening, and there are legal paths they must follow when dealing with district assets, so they are not just giving things away.

It was noted the resident should email them with specific information if he has it, so they can investigate.

Another resident noted the tax increases are a challenge for residents and asked if the district is looking into grants to help find funding from other sources as well. Business Manager Lindsay Wallace noted the district applies for every grant possible. She said they are not always awarded the money, but they try. She also added the district is working to offset costs to the taxpayers by investing funds to earn interest back to the district and pursuing tax assessment appeals to make sure the district is getting all it is owed.

Assistant Superintendent Eric Dauberman noted the Catasauqua High School roofing project has a third of its cost grant-funded.

The budget will be on display for public viewing at the district administrative office and on the district website. The final budget is expected to be adopted at the next board meeting, set for 7 p.m. June 10 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.