As expected, Tamaqua Area School District will not raise taxes above the Act I index for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

On a unanimous measure, the school board on Tuesday agreed not to increase taxes above the index.The Act I index is 3.4 percent, which equates to 1.2 mills, or about $362,212 in tax revenue.Earlier this month, the board's Finance Committee approved the recommendation that the state Department of Education set the base index for the 2017-2018 budget cycle at 2.5 percent.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 was 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.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 actionThe board approved:• Retaining Jeff Bowe of Bowe, Lisella and Bowe, as the district's solicitor, with a $5,200 retainer, and a $175 hourly rate beyond the retainer.• Recognizing a committee of faculty and staff, "Families in Need," which provides assistance to students and families throughout the district.• The agreement with Pressley Ridge for educational services for the 2016-17 school year.• The Tamaqua Area Transportation Plan.• The memorandum of understanding with Schuylkill County Children and Youth.• Adding St. Luke's Occupational Medicine and Physical Therapy to the district's Workman's Compensation Panel, effective immediately.• The first reading of the revised policy related to Promotion and Retention.• The early graduation of one sophomore student, contingent upon the completion of all requirements and responsibilities of a graduating student.• The 2017-18 school calendar.