Schools

State to Allow Parkland to Raise Taxes Above Index

The state Department of Education granted "exceptions" to the Parkland School District because of mandated expenditures, the district said.

The will be allowed to raise taxes up to 3.67 percent for the 2012-2013 school year, according to information provided at the Parkland School Board meeting on Tuesday.

The district had applied to the state Department of Education for permission, or special exceptions, to raise taxes above the state-mandated Act 1 index of 1.7 percent because of costs outside of its control. The state designed the "exceptions" to help districts pay for such costs.

Parkland had applied for exceptions related to escalating special education costs and fixed distributions to the Pennsylvania State Employee Retirement System. Both are mandated by the state.

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In January, the Parkland School Board for the 2012-2013 school year that would require a 4.96 percent tax increase, above the cap. However, school officials have been working to reduce the budget and potential tax hike, through wage freezes, , .

If the district passes its final budget in June at the tax cap, the district’s millage would increase 1.46 mills, to 41.19 mills from 39.73 mills.

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An all-day budget seminar is planned for Friday, March 30.


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