Parkland School Board has granted unanimous approval to the 2013-14 Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 budget of $2,266,051.

Business Manager John Vignone reported, at the March 19 meeting, the increase over last year is minimal about 1 percent. Parkland's share is $202,260.

In another unanimous vote, the board granted approval to the Lehigh Career and Technical General Fund budget of $23,598,900, with Parkland's share coming in at $3,192,003.

The LCTI academic center budget of $1,361,509 was also approved with the district's share set at $133,433.

Vignone reported both entities were receptive to the district's request to keep increases below the 1.7 percent designated to Parkland by Act 1.

"That's the gauge we're using with these ancillary budgets," Vignone said.

Administrators reported Parkland is benefitting from a section in the latest collective bargaining agreement that authorizes lower tuition reimbursement for teachers taking college courses.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak said teachers are paid 50 percent of the state tuition rate per credit.

"Teachers now have ownership in the cost," Sniscak said.

Vignone reported tuition savings were about $400,000 in 2012-13.

The new budget gains by capping the growth of those tuition costs.

"It's like putting a lid on it and preventing it from increasing," Vignone said.

He said the matter has a dual effect. The district saves on the tuition itself and on the horizontal advances on the salary scale provided to teachers upon completion of courses.

Vignone's recommendation is to take $250,000 out of the fund balance to apply as revenue for the 2013-14 budget.

Although residential growth is minimal, non-residential developments will help the district's finances.

With Ocean Spray and Bimbo Bakeries planning large operations in Upper Macungie and the opening of a new Weis market in Fogelsville, Vignone projects a $250,000 increase in the earned income tax paid by everyone employed in the district.

"The projection is trending positive," Vignone said. "We look at numbers and compare with last year. We look at trends and do data driven analysis. We are cautiously optimistic."