According to the financial plan presented at the recent Act 34 hearing, property owners in the Parkland School District will probably experience tax increases in the next three years to fund bond issues for construction of a $35 million elementary school in Upper Macungie Township.

Business Manager John Vignone stated the school district plans to borrow $9.6 million, with a resulting 0.04 mills, in January 2018.

That equals an additional $40 on each $100,000 of assessed property value.

Vignone said the increase might be softened by higher yields from sources such as the Earned Income Tax.

“Increased revenues may be able to absorb or offset some of this,” Vignone said.

He noted the following budget year, 2019-20, will be the most challenging as the district will borrow $19.975 million, with a resulting 0.10 mills.

That would result in an increase for taxpayers of $100 on each $100,000 of assessed property value.

“This is the tough one,” Vignone said.

In 2020-21, the district plans to borrow about $9.6 million which could come with an increase of $40 on each $100,000 of assessed value.

In addition to providing money for the new school, the bond issues will include funds for buses, technology and capital projects throughout the district.

In recent years, these items have been paid for through borrowing rather than using the general fund budget.

When the new school opens, $2,248,485 will be needed for professional and support staff, supplies, fuel and utilities, and insurance, equating to 0.29 mills, Vignone added.

“We’ll stagger these costs over the next three years,” Vignone noted.

Staff members hired before the school’s opening will be assigned to existing buildings such as Jaindl and Fogelsville elementary schools, which are responding to increased enrollments.

They will transfer to the new school when it opens.

After the three bond issues relating to the new construction are completed, the district will have other projects to fund, Vignone said.

These include major work at Schnecksville Elementary, possible expansion of the administration center, and considerations at the Troxell building.

“It won’t stop when the new school starts,” Vignone said.

He noted a decrease in millage will be unlikely.