Whitehall-Coplay School District School Board adopted the final 2018-19 general fund budget at its May 7 meeting.

The $70,416,225 budget is a 4.1-percent increase over the 2017-18 budget. A 3.8-percent increase in the district’s tax rate will be instituted to balance revenue with projected expenses.

The budget passed following a 6-3 vote. Vice President Tina Koren, Treasurer William Leiner Jr. and board member Patty Gaugler voted against the adoption.

In other news, the school board authorized the issuance of bonds up to $5 million to be used on upcoming projects on the campus.

The district’s financial advisers will participate in the May 30 treasury auction in an effort to secure funds for restorations at the middle school, upgrades to the district’s athletic facilities, extending the fiber optic network and future updates to the high school.

The authorization passed after a 7-2 vote, with Koren and board member Owen Eberhart Jr. voting against it.

Also at the meeting, George Williams will succeed Leiner as the board’s treasurer. Williams’ one-year term will begin July 1. He was nominated by Leiner and approved without opposition.

Board member Arthur Taschler Jr. was appointed as Whitehall-Coplay’s representative on Lehigh Carbon Community College’s board of trustees. His six-year term will begin July 1.

The school board approved an agreement between the district and Whitehall Township Police Department to add an additional school resource officer for the 2018-19 school year.

The board’s committee meetings are scheduled for May 29, followed by the next general meeting June 11.