Tamaqua Area School District must decide whether or not to accept the maximum increase on its current real estate tax rate.

Superintendent Ray Kinder said at the school board's committee meeting on Tuesday that the state Department of Education has set the base index for the 2017-18 budget cycle at 2.5 percent.The district's index, including the adjustment factor, is 3.2 percent, which allows for a maximum increase of 1.2 mills to the district's current real estate tax rate, or the equivalent of about $362,012.However, Kinder said that doesn't mean the board has to agree to go that route, as it could decide otherwise.A motion will be put on next month's board meeting agenda to accept the index as the maximum tax rate increase.In June, the board approved this year's spending plan with a 1.09-mill increase in the property tax rate.That decision increased the district's millage rate from 34.29 to 35.38 mills, and called for a homeowner with a home valued at $100,000, which would be assessed at $50,000, to pay $55 more to the district in property taxes.The final budget left the district with a $2.12 million deficit, meaning it had to use $1,923,000 from its fund balance to balance the budget.District business Manager Connie Ligenza said the reason for the increase was due primarily to the capital needs/improvements of its buildings on the board-approved list of additional items.In other action, the board:• Approved the resignation of Kathleen Williams as a full-time custodian, effective Nov. 3.• Rescinded the motion from Oct. 18 in which it hired John Kruczek as a substitute custodian.• Approved Nicole Kotch as a professional substitute teacher.