Parkland School Board adopts final proposed budget, with 4% tax hike

SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP, Pa. — Parkland School Board on Tuesday approved a $248.8 million final proposed budget, with a 4% tax hike.

The increase is the highest allowed under the state’s Act 1 index.

If approved in the final budget, set for a June vote, the proposed 4% tax increase would bring the district’s millage rate to 17.80.

With the increase, the average taxpayer would see his or her annual property tax bill increase about $13.99 a month, or $168 total from the year before.

In their presentation Tuesday, district officials said they had not raised taxes to the allowable Index in the past nine years.

“This budget proactively and responsibly plans for our future needs, ensuring we maintain a high-quality education and facilities that foster continued student success, while investing in long-term solutions to manage growth,” Superintendent Mark Madson said.

“We recognize the community's support and have carefully reviewed this plan, taking into account what we need to accomplish in the years to come coupled with our taxpayer’s ability to pay for it as the district continues to grow."

Main areas of focus

The budget represents a 5.1% increase of 2024-25 expenditures, the district said in its presentation.

It plans to use $5,507,303 of the district fund balance to help balance the 2025-2026 general fund budget.

The main areas of focus include:

• The addition of a school resource officer in North Whitehall Township, new buses and bus cameras, a visitor management system upgrade, and the implementation of a Central Registration Department. Part of the safety budget includes a $286,767 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the district said.

• A significant investment in a new elementary English Language Arts curriculum, with funding for separate intervention materials. Middle and high school world language resources also would be updated.

• Continued funding to address growth and future planning, including what the district described as “swelling enrollment in grades 6-12 across the district.” It said capital improvement projects remain a critical part of the district’s ability to protect and maintain facilities, with a planned groundbreaking on the Parkland High School addition in the spring of 2026. Funding also would be used to relocate the bus parking lots and renovate and/or add more building space to Orefield Middle School.

"We must continue discussing the budget due to growing enrollment and capital needs,” School Board President Robert Cohen said.

“Our shortfall is driven by staffing, mandates, growth, and projects. Expenses are rising faster than revenue, which will be a key focus for us to stay on top of as we plan for the future."

New principal, teacher contract agreement

Also Tuesday, the board unanimously approved the appointment of Justina Verile as the new principal of Schnecksville Elementary School.

Verile will succeed current Principal Damian Goodman, who is relocating to western Pennsylvania, officials said.

"We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Verile to this new leadership role within our district," Madson said.

"Her proven administrative capabilities, extensive classroom experience, and deep commitment to educational excellence make her the ideal candidate to build upon the strong foundation Mr. Goodman has established at Schnecksville Elementary."

The school board also approved a new three-year contract agreement with the Parkland Education Association Tuesday night.

Teachers ratified the agreement prior to the board meeting. It will be in effect from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2028.

The PEA represents 723 members, including teachers, nurses, guidance counselors and other professional staff.

The contract includes annual salary increases of 3.5% in the first year, 3.6% in the second year and 3.7% in the third year.