As Parkland School District administrators continue to fine tune the 2013-14 budget, efforts to reduce expenditures, combined with an increase in revenue, resulted in some $3 million in adjustments since the preliminary budget was presented in February.

At that time, the preliminary budget called for a tax rate of 14.36 mills, a 5.82-percent increase over the previous year.

With a series of adjustments in March and April, the rate now stands at 13.94 mills, a 2.73-percent increase.

At the April 19 board meeting, Business Manager John Vignone listed $1.74 million in decreased expenditures and revenue increases, which will mitigate the tax hike for property owners.

Vignone said the district will benefit from a $165,000 savings in debt service from the recently completed $10 million bond settlement.

"The debt service is much less than we anticipated," Vignone said. "Parkland has a good credit rating. People want to buy our bonds. We worked hard for this."

He projects $104,535 savings in medical and retirement benefits.

"Our collective bargaining agreements are more solidified to increase employee co-pays," Vignone said.

He said the budget will be helped considerably by a projected $250,000 from the fund balance and $250,000 from the budget reserve.

Vignone pointed out several smaller items which will have an impact despite their size.

He foresees a $30,000 decrease in non-medical insurance.

"This is a small amount of money, but it goes a long way," Vignone said. "It's half of a teacher's salary."

Seven departments cut back on a total of $15,050 in new equipment purchases.

"Little things add up," Vignone said. "This can pay for medical insurance for an employee."

Through efforts undertaken to reduce free passes for athletic events, the district will yield an additional $50,000 in gate receipts.

When one special needs student moved out of the district, Parkland was able to profit from a state formula for extreme cases.

The result was a $100,000 benefit for the budget.

Vignone credited the School Services Department for participating in the electricity Demand Response Program, which will save $150,000 in the next term.

Looking at the overall budget situation, Vignone offered his comments.

"We believe the commonwealth budget will have more positives than negatives," he said. "We see over the next couple of months more positives happening."

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak emphasized administrators will continue to look for savings until the final budget is presented in June.

Sniscak said the budget can be massaged until the vote is taken for adoption.

The projected 2.73 percent tax increase may come down when the budget is finalized.

"It may get better," Vignone said.