1. A New Boss

Richard Sniscak is now superintendent, taking over for retired Superintendent Louise Donohue. He has set the theme: "Parkland School District: Where Challenges are Met Through Education and Innovation.” Sniscak is familiar to most, having been assistant superintendent, Parkland High School principal and athletic coach. But he is sure to put his own imprint on the district as he begins his first school year in the top spot. Among his first tasks: negotiating an "early bird" contract with the teachers' union.

2. A New Team

Donohue's retirement and Sniscak's appointment had a domino effect. The school board has signed off on a new administrative team, including a new assistant superintendent. There's also a new principal at Fogelsville elementary school and a new assistant principal at Orefield Middle School.

3. An Education Foundation

Like other school districts, Parkland faces financial challenges as a result of state funding cutbacks and property assessment appeals. The distict has set up a non-profit education foundation, which will raise money for the district in new ways. 

4. A New Behind-The-Wheel Program

The district no longer provides behind-the-wheel driver training, a casualty of the budget cuts. Students who want the behind-the-wheel training will have to pay $285 to take the program through the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21.

5. A New Marching Order

Freshmen who want to be in the high school's concert band now have to be in the marching band as well, a change that school offiicials made in part to boost the marching band rolls. The change was controversial as some parents and students feared the weekend time commitments at football games and parades, but the change has increased participation in marching band.