By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

When the Parkland School Board and administration convened April 30 for the annual budget seminar, Superintendent Richard Sniscak provided an overview of not only financial matters but of the district status in general.

Starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, Sniscak said all staff were given the opportunity to be vaccinated which enabled classes to increase in-person instruction in an environment safe for everyone.

He said the task of recovering from more than 12 months of disrupted learning and loss of school routine is as challenging as navigating the pandemic situation itself.

Sniscak said social and emotional concerns of students and staff have to be addressed along with academic recovery initiatives.

“Students will need mental health and counseling services to help recover from the isolation and restrictions attributed to the COVID environment,” Sniscak explained. “The consequences stemming from the challenges of COVID-19 will persist long after schools fully reopen.”

As the recovery phase of the pandemic is near, the district has to develop plans for the post COVID-19 era, he said.

For the summer, Parkland has planned sessions to re-engage struggling students, those receiving special education, and English learners.

Sniscak reported three issues of government aid are helping to cover expenses brought on by pandemic adaptations.

Of the most recent funds from the American Rescue Plan, Parkland’s share is approximately $11.2 million, with $2.2 million designated for learning loss.

Sniscak said the primary mission of Parkland School District is “to educate and develop students to reach their individual best, through a continuously adapting and challenging curriculum that meets the needs of a diverse population of learners.”

To maintain an educational environment suitable for learning, Sniscak said the district must continue to invest in infrastructure, buildings and grounds.

The superintendent concluded his remarks with the announcement that Parkland property owners will have no increase in their tax rate for the 2021-22 term.

The 15.71 mill rate will continue through the new budget year.

The district will appropriate $4.5 million from the fund balance to provide additional revenue for the $201,050,577 budget for 2021-22.