WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Whitehall-Coplay School Board finally has adopted a 2025-26 budget after trimming a tax increase from the maximum limit, but it will require a dip into its fund balance to make ends meet.
The board approved a $101,451,787 budget for 2025-26, an increase in spending of 5.96% from the prior year, at a meeting Monday.
That means the district property tax rate increases to 22.6875 mills — a total increase of 0.9977 of a mill.
The owner of a home valued at $100,000 for tax purposes would pay $2,268.75 a year in property tax — an increase of $99.77 over last year.
"Every one of us faces that we have some things internally that we’re going to work on, but I think we’ve done the best we can this year in a tough, tough situation.”Whitehall-Coplay School Board President William P. Fonzone
And while it was able to trim the tax increase from 5.3% to 4.6,% the move required a draw from the fund balance.
At an April 28 board meeting, the budget stood at $103,244,433, with revenues at $96,335,204 — a near $7 million shortfall, which was refined to the current state which was presented on May 12.
Board members confirmed the presented budget featured no changes as of that last meeting.
Board President William P. Fonzone said the district was able to trim the maximum increase rate by shifting some funding around and pushing off action on some measures for 2025-26.
“And that’s the best we can do" Fonzone said. "It’s a pretty tough situation out the right now, throughout the Lehigh Valley, because of state funding and things like that.
“That’s our school’s situation too. It’s interesting, when we look at charter schools, costs are very high.
"Every one of us faces that we have some things internally that we’re going to work on, but I think we’ve done the best we can this year in a tough, tough situation.”
Still 'over budget'
Business Manager J. Michael Malay Jr. said that while the district came down from the hotly contested 5.3%, “We are still over budget.”
With total revenues and other financing sources pegged at $98,665,057 and an available $10,043,549 in the fund balance available, the dip into the general fund is substantial.
“The use of fund balance is approximately $2,800,000," Malay said. "That’s in addition to the 4.6%."
Per capita and local services taxes stayed steady at $5. Earned Income Taxes and Real Estate Transfer Taxes were fixed at 0.5%, and the Business Privilege Tax was set at 1.25%, as in the 2024-25 budget.
While the administration and board were able to trim the tax increase a bit, it just might not be enough for residents, who came out in force in late April to contest another hike — coming off a combined 7.4% increase over the last two years — which many said they just cannot afford.
“My son has been out of school for 27 years here, and I’m retired eight years, but I’m still paying school taxes,” resident Patricia Beveridge said during the public comment part of the April 28 board meeting.
“Everything’s increasing — gas, food. How can you expect seniors to have a 5.3% increase? Why can’t there be something on the ballot, asking if we want an increase?
“I’m thinking about moving out of Whitehall.”
