2013-2014 budget updates continued Tuesday during Parkland's workshop meeting and one graph in particular sparked concern from directors.
There were no big surprises as Parkland School Board directors were updated on the 2013-2014 budget during Tuesday night's workshop meeting until a graph depicting the district's fund balance over the next few years raised some red flags. Director Robert Cohen noted the downward trend of the district's fund balance in contrast to costs for future commitments. Business Administration Director John Vignone acknowledged Cohen's concerns and said the fund would be near zero by 2017-2018 if nothing changes. He added, "We will have to find a less expensive way to deliver educational programs and continue to reduce expenditures - we’re working on it. I don't see how we can deliver education in its present mode and meet our future financial …
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Parkland administrators say since 2010, the district has had to use $15 million from its fund balance to fill budget gaps and will use another $3.3 million this year.
Responding to claims that school districts are raising taxes instead of dipping into healthy fund balances, Parkland Superintendent Richard Sniscak said since 2010, the district has used about $15 million from its fund balance to fill budget gaps. Parkland School Board expects to pass its 2012-2013 budget on June 19 using another $3.3 million from the fund balance to plug the budget hole, according to John Vignone, Parkland director of business administration. Last month, the district predicted it would need to use $3.4 million but it expects to save about $55,000 on insurance and is counting on some additional state funding if the Legislature restores some of the Accountability Block Grant for schools. The issue arises because Gov. Tom …
Frediano
11:45 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
It is the legislature in Harrisburg that painlessly sets pension levels for state employees and teachers, not local school boards. It is not the school boards that grant tax assessment appeals to stressed out businesses, shifting taxes.. It is not the school board that has the authority to forgive taxes when due or paid late, even if they commiserate. It is not school boards who dream up mandates… more ›