In response to growing enrollment in Parkland schools, the proposed 2018-19 budget includes funding for 10 new teachers.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman spoke with The Press about the need for additional professional staff.

“We’ll use them [new employees] in areas where enrollment continues to grow,” Troutman said.

He said seven of the new teachers will be assigned to various schools throughout the district, probably Springhouse Middle School, the high school, and Parkway Manor and Cetronia elementary schools.

There may also be some staff for special subjects, such as English as a Second Language.

The remaining three new hires will be designated for Jaindl or Fogelsville elementary schools, where crowded conditions now will be alleviated by the opening of a new school in Upper Macungie in 2020.

“They’ll get to know the kids at Jaindl and Fogelsville and will move with them to the new school,” Troutman stated.

He said a guidance counselor or nurse would most likely be one of the three for the new building.

Troutman said the district will be adding a second portable, two classroom unit at Fogelsville and may need a third one in 2019-20.

The portable with two rooms at Jaindl is adequate for now, Troutman noted.

He said the Spring View development under construction along Cetronia Road and the nearby Parkland Fields at Schantz Road will be bringing hundreds of houses and apartments into the district.

“We’ll look at the growth and balance the three schools between Fogelsville, Jaindl and the new one,” Troutman said.