Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors voted Monday night to stay within the state’s assigned Act 1 index with regards to any proposed property tax increase in its 2021-22 budget.

The action means the most the district could raise property taxes is 4.2%, which is determined by a Pennsylvania Department of Education formula. It is calculated by averaging the percent increases in the Pennsylvania statewide average weekly worker wage and federal employment cost index for schools.

All districts in the state have until Jan. 28 to adopt a similar resolution or, if a tax increase in excess of the index is desired, submit a preliminary budget for review.

Directors Gail Maholick, David Bradley and Joy Beers voted against the resolution to stay within the property tax cap.

“It’s premature and irresponsible to make this decision right now,” Bradley said.

He accused district administration of not providing data needed to make the decision.

Larry Stern, Nathan Foeller, Rita Spinelli, Wayne Wentz and Stephen Holland voted in favor of the resolution to put a limit on any tax increase. “I’m very disappointed in the members who voted not to stay underneath the Act 1 index,” Board President Larry Stern said.

Other Act 1 indexes around the area include 3.8% at Jim Thorpe, 4.1% at Palmerton, 4.6% at Panther Valley, 4% at Weatherly, 4% at Northern Lehigh, 4.1% at Pleasant Valley and 4.2% at Tamaqua.

Last year, Lehighton raised taxes by 3.6%, the most allowed for by the Act 1 index, generating $580,376 in revenue.

Districts have until the end of May to adopt a proposed final budget and until the end of June to adopt the final budget.