The economy made Tuesday's budget vote an easy one in Chartiers Valley.

Directors voted unanimously to adopt a $49,350,930 spending plan that retains the existing 19.32 millage rate for property owners in Bridgeville, Collier, Heidelberg and Scott. The budget is about $1.5 million, or slightly more than 3 percent, higher than the current budget.

Board President Patti Figorski commended Finance Director Nick Morelli, the administrative staff and her colleagues for holding the tax line. The board and administrators are doing all they can do keep taxes down while still improving district technology and curriculum, she said.

Mr. Morelli also praised administrators for staying within their budgets, but warned that succeeding years might be different.

"We have some tough times ahead of us," he said.

Still, directors voted as usual to set things in motion for the upcoming school year, making five new teacher hires. Three technology employees were given three-year contracts with 3 percent pay increases, and the transition coordinator was awarded a three-year deal with a 3 percent raise effective July 1 and a 0.5 percent raise the subsequent two years.

A one-year contract for the public relations coordinator contained no raise.

Asked why, Mrs. Figorski replied that it was the "board's discretion" to do so. CV's current public relations person has been on staff since 2004.

Director Patti Frey was glad to see that an online SAT preparation course has been included in next year's curriculum.

"I've been trying to get an SAT prep course since I came on the board 11 years ago," she said, thanking Dr. Yvonne Hawkins, curriculum director.

In more business, directors voted unanimously to hire Ira Weiss as special counsel to the board at a cost of $125 an hour.

Mr. Weiss was hired because the board voted 6-3 last month to open the job of assistant superintendent while considering a new contract for Dr. Tammy Whitfield, who has held the post since October 2004.

Officials were urged Tuesday to refrain from speaking about the matter. Dr. Whitfield has hired an attorney to represent her.

There was a speaker in the audience. A former teacher praised Dr. Whitfield, who has spent her entire career at Chartiers Valley.

"One of the aspects [of teaching] that I miss most is the privilege of working with Dr. Whitfield," said Pat Battaglia of Scott. "This board doesn't want people of her caliber. They want people they can intimidate. She wants what's best for this district."