WEB EXCLUSIVE -- After deferring a decision on its budget last week, the Allentown School Board voted to adopt a $233 million plan Tuesday night. The budget includes a 2.650 millage tax increase; the first in three years for district residents.

The board had three other proposals which included increases ranging between 2.281 and 3.602 mills. Under those plans, the average taxpayer could have expected to pay an additional $86 to $135 per year.

"I am still willing to [vote for the increase] even though it hurts," said board member Robert Smith. When the proposal was raised from 2.281 to 2.650 mills, he, along with board member David Zimmerman were the only two opposed.

The decision will cost each taxpayer in the district an extra $99 per year. "We do use our money efficiently," said board president Jeff Glazier. "And we still have the lowest net school taxes in the county."

The 2.650 tax increase will generate $551,333 more in revenue than the previously proposed 2.281 millage increase. School district officials were waiting for the state budget's allocation for basic education funding, which could give the district as much as $3.7 million or no extra money at all. While the state did reach a tentative agreement Tuesday afternoon, it is still not clear how much the Allentown School District would receive.

"It's this tentative agreement that gives us concern," said board member Daniel Weiss. "We all agree that we have a reasonable budget with regard to expenses, but we're unsure of the revenue."

The sentiment of the board was that not enough money would be coming. "I don't think the lowest increase would be enough to protect us when the budget comes in from the state," said board member Julie Ambrose.

According to a budget scenario matrix, if the school district receives no additional state funding, 44 currently vacant positions may not be filled.