Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Parkland Superintendent Richard Sniscak told a board committee that work continues on the 2013-2014 budget. A budget presentation is scheduled for April 16.
Parkland School District superintendent Richard Sniscak told members of a school board commitee Tuesday that the current 2013-14 budget scenario is not desirable, but is better than a year ago. "We're not kicking the can down the road," Sniscak told a board committee during a Tuesday meeting. "We're going to come through this tough time." Sniscak noted that borrowing $10 million will give the school district some flexibility. School administrators have promised directors a 2013-14 budget that will come in with a tax increase of less than 3 percent. Last month, following the passage of a preliminary budget, administrators introduced $1.5 million in savings that included not filling open teaching positions. Sniscak told school board members …
Monday, February 25, 2013
Friday's possible government spending cuts triggered by sequestration could affect residents of Upper Macungie
Parkland School District could lose money for remedial and special education if automatic "sequestration" spending cuts trickle down from Washington, D.C. to the local level on Friday. "As a district, we don't get a whole lot of federal dollars, but (the sequestor) would definitely hurt us," Superintendent Richard Sniscak told Patch on Monday. "The money we receive from federal grants for restricted programs does help us provide these educational programs." Passengers at Lehigh Valley International Airport may have to wait in longer lines for security checks. And desperate homeowners facing foreclosure might not be able to get help from the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley. Statewide, cuts would eliminate job search …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Stymied by stagnant revenue, Parkland is proposing to raise taxes 3.67 percent and cut 60 positions.
After months of budget talks, Parkland School Board Tuesday approved a proposed $137.8 million budget for 2012-2013 that raises taxes 3.67 percent while cutting 60 staff positions. The budget would increase the millage rate by 1.46 mills to 41.19 mills. That means a homeowner with property assessed at the district average of $76,912 would pay $3,168 in property taxes, or $112 more than this year. The board approved the proposed budget 7-0; the final budget will be voted on June 19. Going into Tuesday’s meeting, the district was still looking at a budget gap of $462,097. John Vignone, director of business administration, told board members they could use more of the district’s fund balance to close the gap, while efforts are made to …
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Parkland School District Administration Center
1210 Springhouse Rd, Allentown, PA
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Monday, May 7, 2012
School district found $391,028 more in reductions in athletic and activities budgets, more staff attrition and electricity costs but is asking support staff to accept pay freeze.
Parkland School District whittled a $853,000 gap in its proposed 2012-2013 budget down to $462,097 and is negotiating with district support staff for a wage freeze to help offset the rest. At a school board finance committee meeting this morning, John Vignone, director of business administration, told board members that some of the savings were found in reductions to activities and athletic budgets, more staff attrition and electricity costs. The proposed budget can only include a 1.46 mill increase in property taxes, which would bring the millage rate to 41.19 mills. That’s a 3.67 percent hike. At that rate an average homeowner with property assessed at $76,814 would pay $3,163 in taxes, or $112 more than this year. Parkland is permitted…
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Parkland School Board members praise student actors in ‘Hello Dolly,' and insist cameo appearances by teachers and administrators show district's commitment to the arts.
The Parkland School Board gave the cast of the high school musical “Hello Dolly” what amounted to a sitting ovation. At the end of Tuesday night’s meeting, board members heaped praise on the show, which ran last weekend and featured two dozen teachers and administrators in a six-minute group cameo, singing and dancing to the title song. “I can’t remember the last time I felt such a sense of pride of being a part of the Parkland School District,” said Board President Jayne Bartlett. “I was so proud of everyone.” Board members complimented the student actors and crew but made a point of saying the cameo appearances by district staff sent a bigger message to the community. With school districts like Parkland feeling the pinch from a weak …
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Parkland's superintendent and high school principal are among more than two dozen teachers and administrators making cameo appearances in the musical "Hello Dolly" this weekend.
After tripping the light fantastic in rehearsals leading up to this week's performances of "Hello Dolly" at Parkland High School, Superintendent Richard Sniscak and Principal Harrison Bailey III offer this assurance: They have no plans to quit their day jobs. Sniscak and Bailey are among two dozen district administrators and teachers who have a six-minute group cameo in the high school musical in which they join student actors on stage to sing and dance the title number. Both administrators look more like linebackers than tap dancers or actors and there's a reason for that. "You're talking to two former football players," Sniscak said, during a dress rehearsal Monday night. "This is not my forte," Bailey said, laughing. "Denzel […
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Tuesday, September 6, 2011
OK, 11. As students head back to the classroom today, the district's new superintendent Richard Sniscak takes our questions.
Parkland students head to the classroom today with a new superintendent at the helm, Richard Sniscak. A familiar presence -- he has been everything from athletic director to high school principal to the district's assistant superintendent -- Sniscak begins his first school year in the district's top spot. He takes our questions, on education initiatives, the teachers' contract, sports and more. Q. You’ve unveiled “Education Innovation” as the theme for the 2011-2012 school year. What does that mean for Parkland staff, students? A. Our theme, “Parkland School District: Where Challenges are Met Through Education and Innovation” is reflective of the current context of public education and the various challenges that are currently impacting …
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1210 Springhouse Rd, Allentown, PA
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The school board surprised Louise Donohue with the honor Tuesday night.
The Parkland School Board bid an emotion-filled good-bye to Superintendent Louise E. Donohue at its meeting Tuesday night and delivered a surprise: the board officially named its conference room at the district administration building after her. The board presented Donohue, who is retiring, with a door name plate and plaque that will go up. Board President Jayne Bartlett said Donohue's name will serve as a constant reminder for district officials of how leadership should be exemplified. The presentation capped a roundtable during which each board member personally addressed Donohue, commended her leadership and accomplishments over the past seven years, remarked on her ability to build relationships and wished her well in her new venture. …
Linda
7:55 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013
The sad thing about all this "school taxing" is that the students are not getting even a smidgen of better education . Yet , the board keeps cutting programs that would benefit more students ( library and music) but don't touch the jocks ! Perhaps my age is telling but it use to be that teachers were the coaches AFTER regular classes , now we have OVERPAID outsiders getting higher salaries than … more ›