Parkland School Board has granted preliminary approval to the $179,394,218 budget for 2018-19.

The real estate tax rate will be 15.42 mills, 0.29 mill higher than the previous term, an increase of 1.92 percent.

For every $100,000 of assessed value, the property owner will pay an additional 29 dollars.

Taxes for a property at the district average residential assessed value of $226,989 will go up $65.83.

To balance the budget, the district will appropriate $6.5 million of the Parkland Fund Balance to the general fund and $500,000 to the capital reserve fund.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak said, at the May 22 meeting, use of the Fund Balance will offset the tax increase by 0.89 mills.

District Business Manager John Vignone reported salaries will increase 3.32 percent and benefits will go up 4.58 percent over the 2017-18 budget.

“We are staffing for the opening of the new elementary school years down the road,” Vignone said.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman requested 10.5 new staff for 2018-19. Several will begin at schools with high enrollment now in the southern part of the district and will transfer to the new school when it opens in 2020.

The benefits category includes a nearly 1-percent increase in the employer contribution rate to the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement fund and a 4-percent increase in health care premiums.

Vignone noted cyber and charter school payments continue to affect Parkland with 10 percent to 12 percent increases.

He projects the district will owe $4.8 million in tuition payments to the cyber and charter schools in 2018-19.

Another increase is in transportation costs to Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

“Our ridership went up. That’s what increased the cost,” Vignone said. The intermediate unit did not increase rates.”

On the revenue side, positive trends in real estate assessments are yielding a higher value per mill, projected at $7,787,152 for 2018-19.

Greater employment numbers contribute to an increase in earned income tax.

Property owners will receive a $109.85 credit from gaming money.

Vignone said as Parkland is considered a wealthy district, gaming credit is less than in many other areas.

The vote for final adoption of the 2018-19 budget is expected to take place at the June 26 meeting.