Parkland Will Come Through 'Tough' Budget Time, Superintendent Says

Parkland School District Superintendent Richard Sniscak told a school board committee 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 a borrowing of $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 some of which includes not filling open teaching positions.

Sniscak told school board members a second round of budget adjustments will be made available during a budget workshop presentation scheduled for Tuesday, April 16.

"We'll update you on revenues and expenditures as soon as new information becomes available," Sniscak said.

District Business Director John Vignone told board members that revenue is being looked at very closely, including the earned income tax, the re-adjustment of debt service and tax-related appeals.

"There's still a lot of work to be done," he said.

The budget schedule:

• Budget Workshop Presentation: April 16

• Budget Seminar: April 26

• Proposed Final Budget: May 21

• Adoption of Final Budget: June 25