West Middlesex Area School Board members say they have some work to do on the district's proposed 2003-04 budget, which includes a possible tax increase of 8.17 mills.

The increase could mean the average taxpayer in West Middlesex and Shenango and Lackawannock townships could be shelling out another $147 in taxes next year.

"We have work to do. We have to look at what the taxpayers can afford," Board President Thomas Hubert said Tuesday when the budget was presented. "I'm not sure if we're putting too much of a pinch on our taxpayers."