The Coatesville Area School Board tentatively approved the 2010-11 budget with a 3.6 percent tax hike in a split vote on Tuesday night.

The general fund budget was approved at $146.4 million which is a about a $7 million, or 5 percent, increase over last year’s school budget.

The 3.6 percent tax hike would raise the tax rate to 28.49 mills, with one mill equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 in assessed property value. An average taxpayer with a home in the district assessed for tax purposes at $117,347 would therefore generate a school tax bill of $3,343 — an increase of $116 over the prior year.

What is your reaction to the school tax increase?

City Council learned Monday night that state and county officials have pledged their assistance to the long-awaited Third Avenue Train Station project.

Specially, PennDOT has pledged funding for a series of design charrette meetings that will help the city and county work out the details of the project.

What are your thoughts about this project?