SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Parkland School District's 2024-2025 budget is in its final stages, on track to be the highest tax increase in years.
Parkland School Board approved a preliminary budget Tuesday that would take the millage rate from 16.30 mills to 17.12 mills, which is a 5% increase.
The average resident would pay about $200 more in school property taxes next year if the increase holds in the final budget. The millage rate in Parkland would still be the lowest in Lehigh County.
"I feel like we are servicing our community in the appropriate way, and giving this community and our kids a future that they deserve.”Board Director Chris Pirrotta
“This is my first time ever raising taxes, and I gotta say, it doesn't feel good,” newly-elected Board Director Chris Pirrotta said.
“But I feel like we are servicing our community in the appropriate way, and giving this community and our kids a future that they deserve.”
Last year's tax increase was 2.5%, which at the time was the highest increase in seven years.
At a recent budget seminar, the board considered a 4.75% increase, but ultimately decided that would not be enough given the upcoming building projects in the district, laid out in its Vision 2030 plan.
Even with the tax increase, the district will still have to take almost $4 million from its reserves.
The board will likely vote on whether to approve the final budget at next month’s meeting, on June 18.
Building projects
Recent enrollment projections showed the district’s middle and high schools exceeding capacity in the coming decade. Board President Carol Facchiano said Tuesday that the district recently exceeded 10,000 enrolled students.
To address the issue, the district is designing additions for Parkland High School and Orefield Middle School. It is also building a new operations center.
The plans for Orefield Middle School’s expansion are still in the beginning stages. One consideration is moving the football stadium to Parkland High School’s campus and moving the bus garage away from the middle school.
In total, the budget for the district’s Vision 2030 plan is $210 million.
Board Director Robert Cohen said he thinks future tax increases will be lower, especially once the building projects are completed.
“This will give us a foundation to move forward into the future with a vision that we have searched for from all stakeholders,” Cohen said.
