As the deadline approached for final adoption of the 2016-17 budget, the Parkland administrative team lowered the rate of taxation just a bit further from 14.89 mills to 14.85 mills.

The action was possible due to an increase in the value of a mill and a decrease in projected salaries and benefits.

At the June 28 meeting, the board voted 8-1 to approve the $166.1 million budget, which comes with a 3.48-percent tax increase over the previous year.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak offered comments.

“The 14.85 mill rate is the lowest in Lehigh County,” Sniscak said. “The cost to maintain our commitment to excellence is a constant challenge. Each year the time and energy for the budget significantly increase.”

Board member Barry Long voted against the budget and provided some remarks.

“The 3.48-percent increase is unfair to seniors of our community,” Long said. “We should not raise above the 2.4 Act 1 Index.

“We had an $8 million increase in revenue and we had a $10 million bond for funding.

“We can’t use a fund balance to support an ongoing program.”

By incorporating $6 million from the fund balance, the district was able to avoid a larger tax increase.

Business Manager John Vignone said the district fund balance could go down to $23 million after withdrawal of the amount for the new term.

“It probably won’t go that low,” Vignone said. “That’s a worst case scenario.”

Implementation of full-day kindergarten with the necessity of hiring 14 new teachers had a huge impact on the budget this year, explained Sniscak.

He noted the district’s obligation to pay $3 million to charter schools and increased contributions to the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System also heightened expenditures.

Several other board member offered thoughts on the 2016-17 spending plans.

“Our students need as much as we can give to them,” Bob Bold said. “I’m in favor of full day kindergarten. The world is changing. It is a necessity.”

“The professionalism shown is extremely impressive,” stated Rob Cohen, responding via telephone hook-up.

“Seventy-five cents of every dollar goes to salaries and benefits,” Mark Hanichak said. “That’s only going to increase.”

“It was a good year and a good budget, but I have concerns for the future,” stated Vignone, adding there is no way revenues can keep up with the ever increasing expenditures for charter schools and pensions.

Sniscak supplied final remarks on the budget which consumed a great deal of time for the administration over the past year.

“It’s a long haul. Now we have to start all over again,” Sniscak said. “We try to do our best for all the stakeholders in Parkland.”