Lehighton Area School District’s Board of Directors advanced its proposed 2025-26 budget Monday night, approving a draft that maintains current tax levels while laying out a $50.1 million spending plan.

According to the budget document, the total revenue for the 2025-26 year is projected at $50,130,818, a 6.85% increase from the previous year. Local sources will contribute $25.5 million, state sources $23.7 million, and federal sources approximately $843,000. The district also projects no additional revenue from bond sales or other financing sources for the year.

On the expenditure side, the budget includes $50,130,809 in spending, a slight decrease of 0.92% from the previous year’s $50.6 million budget. The majority of the budget — 64% — will go toward instruction, with another 26% allocated for support services.

Superintendent Jason Moser said in late April that the budget would provide for several new positions.

“That would be the elementary center emotional support teacher, a registered behavioral technician, and also the addition of a middle school counselor,” he said, adding, “We have about 450 students at the middle school right now with one school counselor.”

Board members asked several questions Monday to better understand year-over-year changes in specific budget lines.

Director Kerry Sittler questioned supply costs under Support Services, which increased from $12,916 in 2024 to $41,938 in 2025 and $41,438 in 2026. Consulting Business Manager Matt Lentz said, “There is an intended technology refresh on student devices,” resulting in the increased budget line.

Professional and technical services under instructional staff support drew questions after a fluctuation from $51,249 in 2024 to $20,000 in 2025 and then up to $94,128 in 2026. The shift, according to administration, stems from reallocating Title II funding from professional development to salaries and benefits.

Board member Jeremy Glaush approved of the proposed final budget presented Monday but also advocated for more aggressive grant-seeking.

“I still want to make sure that our goal is to be more aggressive in finding grants,” he said.

He noted the district might be able to fund future capital projects through matching grants.

“If we can get a grant for $200,000 and we have to match 25% of that to get a $200,000 project done, that’s a heck of a savings,” Moser added.

Two weeks ago, director Duane Dellecker asked the administration to explore the long-term financial impact of a 1-mill property tax decrease.

The district’s finance team outlined multiple budget scenarios, each forecasting mounting deficits by 2030. Each scenario assumed rising costs in staffing, operations, and health care — projected to grow 3%, 4%, and 10% annually, respectively. Debt service obligations remain steady throughout the forecast.

Under the 1-mill tax decrease scenario, Lehighton would be projected to see a deficit of $782,709 appear as early as 2026. Its fund balance would project to fall into the negative by 2030 with a $6.5 million deficit.

The budget presented Monday did not include a tax decrease.

“I hope you don’t do that,” resident Walter Zlomsowitch said before the vote. “I’d rather pay down the debt than get $50 back at this point. Getting $50 back now so we have to pay $150 more in a couple years doesn’t do us any favors.”

Dellecker said he was content with Monday night’s budget as presented.

“I’m 100% in favor of advancing a budget that does not increase taxes on our shareholders,” he said.

Lehighton will vote on its final budget in June.