Whitehall-Coplay School Board approved the proposed final budget for the 2017-18 school year at its May 8 meeting.

The proposed final budget is in the amount of $67,644,475 and is an increase of 4.2 percent from the previous year.

The tax rate is an increase of 2.61 percent from the previous year.

Six board members voted in favor of the budget, with Owen Eberhart Jr. voting against it and Vice President Lloyd Schafer and board member Patty Gaugler absent.

After the meeting, Eberhart told The Press he voted against it because “I can’t afford another tax raise. I can barely afford taxes now.”

In other finance matters, the board approved Fox Rothschild LLP as the district solicitor. The agreement includes a retainer of $19,500 per year and an hourly rate of $185.

The board also elected Bill Leiner as treasurer. Leiner currently serves in that position. Board member George Makhoul nominated Leiner for the position. All members voted in favor.