Lehighton Area School District adopted its proposed 2015-16 budget Monday night, and as administrators predicted, the spending plan keeps property taxes level for homeowners.

The tax rate will remain at 47.88 mills, according to Brian Feick, Lehighton's business manager."Monday's approval allows us to advertise the budget for 30 days and we can vote on the final version at the May or June board meeting," Feick said.The budget calls for revenues and expenditures of $38,658,581.On the revenue side, the largest amount of money comes from the real estate tax at just over $16 million.Feick said with the uncertainty surrounding the state budget and how much money local districts will receive, Lehighton has budgeted $1,049,176 from its fund balance to level its budget."That can always change as we get more information before the final adoption," Feick said.Last year, Lehighton raised taxes 1.18 percent, or 0.56 mills."By using our current fund balance, we wouldn't have to raise taxes until 2021," Feick said earlier this year.At a meeting in January, Lehighton Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver lauded the district's staff for helping to control spending."A lot of districts have concern about having to increase taxes, and fortunately we are able to stay level," he said. "Our staff has only been looking at things they need and not things they want, and they should be commended for that. Having Brian on board has also been a blessing for us."The district plans to spend $15,284,799 on salaries and $11,228,318 on benefits. Lehighton has 191 full-time educators, 15 administrators and 124 support staff members.A further expenditure breakdown shows budgeted expenses of $17,114,761 for instruction of regular education students, $5,898,841 for instruction of special education students, $3,342,860 for operations and security, $1,912,600 for the debt service and $1,717,000 for student transportation, among other costs.