BUTLER TWP — Butler School Board members Monday night approved the district’s $100.8 million proposed 2015-16 budget with no tax increase in a 6-3 vote.

The budget, which does not factor in $1.9 million in state money the school district expects to receive, has a $4.4 million deficit. However, any remaining deficit will be paid off by using the district’s $10.8 million fund balance.

This year’s budget is $100 million with a property tax rate of 94.8 mills.

Dale Lumley, superintendent, said although it’s a tight budget, it’s the right one for the district.

However, John Conrad, Neil Convery and Bill Halle voted against the budget.

“This is an irresponsible thing to approve,” Conrad said.

Many board members’ decisions to approve school consolidation last month hinged on not having to increase taxes. But Conrad said board members shouldn’t make a point to not increase taxes simply to keep their word.

“We’re not addressing the main financial problems of the district,” Halle said, noting debt services is more than 7 percent of the budget and pension and health care costs are rising exponentially.

Convery also said he is not sure about all of the technological costs being put in place so quickly. More than $2 million in technological improvements are proposed over the next two years.

“I’m not sure we have to make all of those decisions,” he said.

Board members Carmen Bianco, Karen Callihan, Jim Keffalas, David Korn, Don Pringle and Al Vavro voted for the budget.