The Whitehall-Coplay School Board approved Fox Rothschild LLP as the district's solicitor at its meeting April 13.

Fox Rothschild LLP will be the district solicitor for the 2015-16 school year based on an annual retainer of $19,500 and an hourly rate of $185.

There is no increase in the rate as opposed to last year.

School board member Owen Eberhart Jr. voted no for approval, while all other board members voted yes.

When asked by The Press after the meeting, Eberhart said he had no comment regarding his vote.

In other matters, the board approved per capita tax exonerations and refunds for the fiscal year July, 1 2014, to June 30, 2015.

After the meeting, Business Manager Michael Malay told The Press that the exonerations and refunds are "usually for seniors over the age of 72 and students. Sometimes, they pay the tax and then we have to refund it."

The board also approved the issuance of the district's general obligation bonds.

Superintendent John Corby told The Press after the meeting that "the original bonds were at a higher percentage and [the district] can refinance them now at a lower percentage."

During the meeting, Corby said that the refinancing will give the district $900,000 in savings.

"The $900,000 in saving is spread out over years. We are not getting a check for $900,000," he said.

In other business, Dr. Barbara Chomik, director of curriculum and instruction, spoke about the start of state assessments such as the PSSAs.

"I think teachers did a great job covering all the content," she said.

Speaking about similar items, Whitehall-Coplay Middle School Principal Pete Bugbee presented a video to the board that students and teachers made concerning the importance of the tests and giving tips on getting enough sleep and eating breakfast in the morning.