Although Parkland School District residents will probably experience a property tax increase for the 2019-20 school year, the rate will go up no more than 0.35 mills.

The current rate, 15.42 mills, would go no higher than 15.77 mills.

At the Jan. 22 meeting, the board voted not to exceed the Act 1 Index of 2.3 percent calculated for Parkland by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the next school term.

With the maximum allowable millage increase of 2.3 percent, a property owner would pay $35 more than in the previous term, for each $100,000 of assessed value.

A resident with a home at the district assessed average of $226,989 would have a tax increase of $79.45.

Business Manager John Vignone projects $178,937,434 in revenue for 2019-20. This includes $2,768,894 from the Act 1 Index increase and $1,911,697 from real estate growth.

Vignone said the challenge over the next several months will be to find a way to make up the $8,993,116 gap between revenue and expenditures projected to be $187,930,550.

He noted salaries and benefits comprise 75 percent of the budget.

“We teach. We provide a service,” Vignone said.

He noted staffing and salaries are affected by increasing enrollment and preparations for the new school, Veterans Memorial, under construction in Upper Macungie Township.

Looking ahead to further budget developments, Vignone said real estate revenue continues to trend positive, and earned income tax revenue is stable.

Areas of concern include cyber and charter school tuition, debt service, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 transportation costs, and uncertainty of funding from the commonwealth.

As it is early in the process, the administration will be working to make adjustments in expenses wherever possible while also seeking increased sources of revenue by the budget seminar on April 26 and adoption of the proposed budget on May 21.