For the first time in anyone's memory, the Parkland School Board has voted against the annual budget for Lehigh Carbon Community College.

School board member David Kennedy reported at the April 23 meeting the community college has a $17-million surplus, or fund balance, which it should use instead of increasing the costs for partnering school districts.

"I find this offensive to the sending districts and to our taxpayers," Kennedy said. "I cannot see how any district in its right mind can approve this budget."

The LCCC 2013-14 budget totals $41,860,769, a $439,830 increase over the previous term.

Parkland's share is $1,236,745, a $25,751 increase.

Board member Roberta Marcus expressed her thoughts on the matter.

"This is $1.2 million of our budget going out to their budget," Marcus said. "It is disrespectful. We're cutting nickles and dimes."

At Parkland, the administration has been looking for every avenue, large or small, to reduce costs or provide revenue for the district.

Parkland is using $4 million of its fund balance this year to mitigate the tax increase for property owners.

Several board members said LCCC should do the same thing by taking from its fund balance to soften the impact for the 13 sponsoring districts.

Marcus reported LCCC representatives were not transparent when they brought forth their budget to Parkland committees for review.

"I think we need to move in a different direction going forward," Marcus said.

Board member Mark Hanichak, who was communicating via speaker, expressed his thoughts on the situation.

"Someone in LCCC needs to look out the window. It's raining," Hanichak said. "Use the [rainy day] fund balance to take the burden off taxpayers."

Board member Jef Reyburn indicated his agreement.

"Until change is forced from time to time, it will not happen," Reyburn said.

Robert Cohen, who represented Parkland on the LCCC board the past three years, came out in favor of the budget.

"I support it because of the underlying goals it stands for," said Cohen.

President Jayne Bartlett announced she would vote in favor in consideration of the Parkland students enrolled at LCCC.

"But next year had better be different. They can go to their fund balance," said Bartlett.

Although the Parkland vote issued a message of disapproval to the LCCC budget, a sufficient number of other sponsoring districts enabled its acceptance overall.

Kennedy was not ready to let the matter rest.

"I would love to see them rescind their vote. It is a shame if they voted and didn't know about the $17 million fund balance,' stated Kennedy.