After months of looking for ways to cut costs and watching for additional revenue sources, Parkland school officials whittled the tax rate down to 13.83 mills, a 1.92 percent increase over the previous year.

The 2013-14 budget stands at $143,585,949. Taxes on a $200,000 property will be $2,766, but homeowners who applied for it will receive a $105 reduction from the Homestead/Farmstead resolution.

District Superintendent Richard Sniscak stated the process of preparing a budget began last fall with administrative teamwork and cooperative input from the board.

He said financial limitations offered an opportunity for applying innovative thinking to the improvement of productivity and efficiency.

Sniscak said the district reduced personnel, programs and expenditures to balance the budget, resulting in an increase in class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and a greater challenge to maintain school facilities and student services.

Nevertheless, Sniscak affirmed Parkland will continue to provide an education experience enriched by opportunities in academics, athletics and the arts.

"Our administrators are challenged to do more with less, but we take pride in our commitment to excellence," Sniscak said.

Business Manager John Vignone reviewed the adjustments made since adoption of the preliminary budget in February, which had a 14.36 mill rate, a 5.82 percent increase over the previous year.

Some adjustments helping to bring down the tax rate were assessment appeals favoring the school district and new commercial construction, which will generate revenue through property taxes and earned income tax, as new job positions are created and filled.

Vignone said $4 million was appropriated from the fund balance to offset the tax increase.

He projects $21 million in the fund balance at the end of 2013.

He said 48.13 percent of the budget is needed for salaries, a 2.26-percent increase, while 24.20 percent of the budget goes to employee benefits, a 12.48-percent increase.

He pointed out a $300,329 decrease, or minus 20.59 percent, in costs for student activities.

Vignone said all teachers will receive a $1,250 salary increase in the new term, after completing the previous year with no increase.

Having discussed the budget at many recent meetings, board members offered few comments and readily voted 9-0 to approve the document.

Mark Hanichak, Robert Cohen and Jef Reyburn cast their votes via telephone.

Board member Robert Bold made a closing remark.

"I hope we can start filling some positions we cut in previous years," Bold said.

With this budget finalized, Vignone is moving to the next one.

"The budget process is nonstop," Vignone said. "We're talking about 2014-2015 already and looking at trends."