Parkland School District approves $216M budget
Property taxes to be raised for first time in two years; some on school board question need for increase
The Parkland School District will raise property taxes for the first time in two years, after the school board on Tuesday approved the district’s budget for 2022-23.
In a 6-3 vote, the board approved the $216.2 million budget, which includes a 1.2% property tax increase. This increase will generate $1.67 million in property taxes, as the district anticipates a 7.5% increase in expenditures for the upcoming year.
The new millage rate is 15.90, which reflects an increase of 0.19 mills from 2021-22. A homeowner with a house assessed at $245,193, the district’s average, will see property taxes increase by $17.64.
Board members Jarrett Coleman, Patrick Foose and Jay Rohatgi voted against the budget, citing the tax increase.
Coleman declared victory over state Sen. Pat Browne in the 16th Senate District Republican primary last month.
Coleman, Foose and Rohatgi said the district should not be raising taxes at a time when gas and food prices are reaching record highs.
In a 6-3 vote, the board approved the $216.2 million budget, The three dissenting board members also noted that the district had previously suggested to the board other budget options that did not raise taxes. Those options relied more heavily on Parkland’s fund balance.
In the approved 2022-23 budget, the district already relies on $5.1 million from its fund balance.
However, the 1.2% property tax increase is still below the 3.4% allowed under the state’s Act 1 Index, which determines the maximum increases for most taxes a school district can levy.
Parkland hasn’t raised taxes to the allowable index in the past six years.
Additionally, the value of Homestead/Farmstead property tax relief funds is $139.92 per approved property, which amounts to a tax reduction of $28.58 more than the year before.
Board President David Hein and Vice President Carol Facchiano voted for the budget, along with board members Robert Cohen, Lisa Roth, Annette Wilcox and Marisa Ziegler.
“I understand that raising taxes at any point in time is never going to be a popular decision,” Wilcox said Tuesday. “Unfortunately, these rising costs also affect the district. We have to transport and feed our students, heat our buildings,
“I do not believe this tax is appropriate. We are facing a serious inflation crisis globally. … While costs are going up, districts must support our families in their hour of financial need.” —Patrick Foose, Parkland School District board member who voted against the 2022-2023 budget
make repairs and improvements to the buildings, and pay competitive raises to attract and keep staff in a time where teacher and bus driver shortages are occurring nationwide.”
Roth said the district needs to raise taxes now, as it expands, so the district has the money to construct another school building, if that becomes necessary in the future. Ziegler also said Parkland already has the lowest millage rate in Lehigh County.
The budget includes plans for the 10th year of capital improvement projects. These investments are for roofing, elementary school renovations, a bus loop project and a new operations center.
“Investing in our students and curriculum is Parkland’s primary mission,” Superintendent Mark Madson said in a statement. “We balance this with investment in district facilities to maintain an environment conducive to learning and to protect district facilities, which are taxpayer assets.”
School districts are still waiting to find out what funding they will receive from the state. Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget must be passed by the Legislature by June 30.