Parkland School Board and 30 administrators convened recently for a daylong seminar to review the proposed 2017-18 budget.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak provided opening comments.

“We want to have a good, candid discussion on a transparent budget process,” he explained.

“We are coming forward today with a balanced budget.

“We have the lowest real estate tax in Lehigh County based on millage.”

The proposed budget indicates $172.3 million in expenditures for 2017-18, a 3.76-percent increase over the previous term.

The rate of taxation is 15.22 mills, a 2.5-percent increase over the existing rate of 14.85 mills.

Business Manager John Vignone reported taxes would increase $83.84 for the owner of a property at the average residential assessed value of $226,595.

Vignone noted the fund balance helps to offset unfunded mandates, the loss of state and federal funding, increases in pensions costs, transfers to the food services fund, special education costs, debt service and capital projects.

The $6 million would lower the fund balance from its projected level of $33.9 million at the end of this year to $27.9 million at the end of the 2017-18 school term.

Vignone said the $6 million may not be spent in its entirety.

The same amount was appropriated from the fund balance for 2016-17, but he projected only $1.5 million will be used in the current term.

The superintendent reported positive trends in revenues through an increase in real estate revenues and earned income tax.

At the state level, Sniscak said the governor’s proposed budget provides some additional contributions in basic education funding and special education, but those are offset by a 2.54-percent increase in the district’s contribution rate to the Pennsylvania state employees retirement system, the pension fund for educators and school employees.

Sniscak expressed concern over the future of federal education programs, such as Title I, which provides remedial math and reading services for many children.

He noted a federal emphasis toward vouchers and school choices which divert money away from public schools.

Sniscak said the administration will continue to monitor revenues and expenditures through May and June which could result in some adjustments to the budget document.

The vote for final approval is expected to be during the June 27 board meeting.