District’s budget for 2020-21 is unveiled
Parkland School District Business Manager John Vignone provided a first look at the 2020-21 budget during the school board’s Nov. 19 meeting.
He commented on the process.
“A lot of this is based on projections,” Vignone said. “We try to analyze and project what the exact amounts are going to be. Then we build our budget on that.”
He forecasts $188.2 million in revenue for the next fiscal year and $194.5 million in expenditures.
The shortfall of $6.3 million would need to be made up through increased income or through reduced spending.
The district plans to keep the tax increase under the Act 1 Index of 2.6 percent.
The maximum allowable millage increase would be 0.40.
The current millage rate of 15.71 could climb no higher than 16.11.
If the new budget uses the 16.11 mill tax rate, the increase on each $100,000 of assessed value would be $40.
At Parkland’s average assessment of $226,989, the property owner’s tax would increase $90.80.
Vignone said salaries will increase $3.4 million due to contractual requirements and new staff based on enrollment projections and the opening of the new Veterans Memorial Elementary School.
Employee benefits are expected to show a $2 million increase.
Tuition for Parkland students in cyber, charter and any other education institution is projected to increase $701,000 to a total of $13.6 million.
Vignone noted costs of special education are expected to rise to $7.5 million, a 20.32-percent increase over the current budget.
The amount does not include the $350,000 cost of transportation for special needs students.
The high percentage of increase in special education raised concerns among board members.
Superintendent Richard Sniscak explained some reasons for the increase.
“This includes emotional support, autism and behavior issues,” Sniscak said. “Not only are there more students but more high cost issues. All have seen significant increases.”
The proposed budget lists $16,350,000 for debt services, a $50,000 increase over the present term.
Vignone commented at the end of his presentation.
“It is early in the budget season,” Vignone said. “Revenue could change, and we’ll try to reduce expenditures.”