28 Parkland Seniors Receive Substantial Academic College Scholarships

Congratulations to Parkland seniors who received a minimum of a 25% merit-based scholarship from the college or university they plan to attend this fall by demonstrating excellence in the classroom. The following students were recognized at a special academic scholarship ceremony on June 7th as follows:

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Technology Enhances Instruction at Parkland High School

On any given day at Parkland, you can walk through the halls and see various uses of new technology at work in the classroom. Recently, a tour was given that illustrated examples of how technology is enhancing classroom instruction in physics, biology, music, English and math.

Sean Flueso, physics teacher, uses a free e-learning software platform called Moodle as a way to build an online textbook for his class. On Moodle, he posts online assessments, learning modules, assignments, and resources. He spoke about the fact that he was able to continue teaching his class from a conference he attended on the other side of the country by assigning homework and grading them from his location. His students were able to view lessons that he prepared in advance of his trip and then participate in assignments he posted to his Moodle. He could grade them from afar as assignments by his students were posted to his Moodle. He also shared how he and fellow PHS physics teachers have scoured the web for virtual labs that allow students to make up labs that are missed, stating that the simulations performed online are a great alternative to the old days when students simply missed labs and couldn't make them up.

Laura Kowalski teaches biology and created an interactive "game" using Keynote software and the interactive feature on her Polyvision Board. It involves a villain she named "Leechyman" who is half-man, half-leech and who has altered the hemoglobin molecules of the human race. Students must identify the mutation in the genetic code, fix it, replicate a portion of the DNA molecule, and rebuild the corrected hemoglobin molecule to defeat him. The "game" is complete with an avatar, tool belt, and treasure chest of clues to help students progress through the challenge. Ms. Kowalski has been amazed at how this video game simulation has been able to teach a really tough concept. She stated, "What used to take 2 weeks to teach, now takes just 3 days, and kids are comprehending it better than they did when I spent 2 weeks on the unit!" A grant is in the works to get this idea into the virtual world so that teachers around the state will be able to use this game in their classrooms

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Parkland Honors 32 Retirees Representing 810.5 Years of Service

Pictured from left to right are: George J. Karetsky (40 years, assistant principal), Elisa M. Rusnock (22 years, reading coach), Sandra J. Hathaway (37.5 years, math teacher), Margaret A. Julo (5 years, school vehicle driver), Michael D. Daubert (36 years, fifth grade teacher), Dennis Schneck (33 years, grounds custodian), Linda M. Myers (22 years, first grade teacher), Marlon T. Kohan (35 years, mathematics teacher), Walter Scherman (38 years, learning support teacher), Philip Gessner (44 years, bus driver), Catherine S. Krimmel (33.5 years, Spanish teacher), Ann Marie Arbogast (25 years, Spanish teacher and world language department chairperson), Denise Mitton (7 years, instructional support teacher), Robert J. Steckel (35 years, social studies teacher), Bonnie J. Lenhart (22 years, custodian and bus driver), David Grim (35 years, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development), Debra Barr (35 years, family and consumer science teacher), Louise E. Donohue (35 years, Superintendent), Anita Reider (24 years, food service employee), Raymond J. Deutsch (11 years, paraprofessional), Kathy Flickinger (22 years, administrative assistant in the Student Services Department), and Catherine Buesgen (25 years, bus driver). Not pictured are: Cathy Csencsitz (19 years, Asst. Business Manager), Debra Miller (35 years, Director of Curriculum and Instruction), Lucille M. Zapotochny (25 years, administrative assistant in the Human Resources Department), Henry W. Piper (4 years, school vehicle driver), Robert W. Snyder (16 years, bus driver), Gail Rosner (6 years, bus driver), Joseph R. Flemish Jr. (15 years, bus driver), Mary Hilbert (19 years, food service employee and custodian), Brent Windsor (35.5 years, art teacher), and Marcia Totten (14 years, learning support teacher).

Dear Parkland Community,

In looking back at last year's message to the community, I see that I wrote that our current school year's budget was prepared within the context of challenging economic times. A year later, I wish I could report that things are better, but for public education, things are actually worse. Since the Parkland Board of School Directors approved a preliminary budget in February, the proposed state budget presented by our new Governor cut an additional $1 million from Parkland's funding. We budgeted conservatively in February, expecting a decrease of nearly $1M from the state this year, knowing that stimulus funds were expiring and that the new Governor would most likely choose not to fund the Accountability Block Grant that traditionally paid for professional development.

However, there are two areas that were cut that were unexpected as they have been funded for many years and one (social security funding) is written into state statute. The first is the elimination of reimbursement for charter school expenditures. When a student attends a charter school, no matter what it costs to educate that student, Parkland must pay the Pennsylvania Department of Education formula-driven cost to the charter/cyber charter school ($9,000 Regular Ed; $16,600 Special Ed). (Note: it costs a cyber charter school much less to educate a student, but the law requires that Parkland pay the higher amount to the cyber charter program.) For the 2011-12 school year, we are projecting a $1M outlay in cash for all charter/cyber charter schools. At the end of the year, the state reimburses Parkland up to 30% of the previous year's cost. The Governor is proposing to completely eliminate this reimbursement. Secondly, the state is proposing to no longer pay its share of state contributions to social security costs. In years past, the state reimbursed Parkland for 50% of these costs.

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2011-12 Budget - Did You Know?

83.2% of Parkland's budget is derived from local revenue sources (as opposed to state or federal sources) 84.8% of the local source cited above comes from property taxes.

Residential properties comprise 61.75% of the district's total property values Lehigh County is in the process of planning for a reassessment; new assessed values are expected to go into effect in 2013.

After careful analysis by Standard & Poors, the Parkland School District's bond rating is AA, the best credit rating the District has ever had. This puts Parkland in the top 7% of school districts in the state with regard to the management of school district finances. A good credit rating results in lower interest rates as bond issues can be completed without insurance related costs.

The state contributes approximately 15.1% of the district's total funding. The state contributes, on average, about 34% to public school districts, so Parkland receives less than half the average state aid provided to school districts.

State funding has not and does not provide for enrollment growth despite Parkland's rapid increase in enrollment over the last 15-20 years and lobbying efforts to get the funding formula to change by many advocates across the state.

As of the current school year, Parkland's millage remains the lowest in Lehigh County when compared with 8 neighboring school districts. In 2010, Parkland's tax increase in mills was the 2nd lowest out of the 9 Lehigh County school districts.

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How Do I Calculate My Taxes?

The 2011-12 Proposed Final Budget plan calls for a 1.46 mill increase in the current real estate tax rate of 38.27 mills to a new rate of 39.73 mills. This rate does not include the 0.30 mills of real estate tax levied for funding the Parkland Community Library.

To calculate your combined school and library tax, multiply the assessed value of your property (the value may be found on a prior real estate tax bill from the county, township or school district) times the combined millage rate of 40.03. For example, a house assessed at $70,000 would be calculated as follows: $70,000 x .04003 = $2,802.10 combined school and library tax.

The money generated by casinos across the state of Pennsylvania will supply every approved homestead/farmstead with a property tax reduction of approximately $105. This will be clearly marked on your tax bill. Please note that if your property tax bill is below $105, your tax bill will only be reduced by the smaller of the two amounts. Gaming money does not offset the .30 mills of real estate tax levied to fund the Parkland Community Library.

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Parkland Schools Work Together to Support Japan

By Katie Sheinberg, Community and Public Relations Intern

At the heart of any school district is the concept of community. This is perhaps most evident during a time of need, a time when everyone comes together for a common goal. It is at this point that we witness powerful acts of generosity, creativity, and inspiration. The 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster produced a significant response from the Parkland School District.

The Japan relief effort was a district-wide endeavor to raise funds to give to Japanese citizens coping with disaster. Both students in the elementary schools and older Parkland students did their part by participating in a variety of fundraising projects.

Ironton Elementary School showed their support by selling red silicone bracelets adorned with the phrase "Hope for Japan." The Ironton PTO was generous enough to donate the money needed to purchase the bracelets, so all proceeds from the sales were given directly to the Red Cross. In order to get the student body and faculty inspired, students made posters, translated labels throughout the school into Japanese, dressed up for a broadcast, and sold the bracelets with the student council. This project was highly successful, earning a total of $801.

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Parkland Administrators Will Have Pay Freeze for 2011-12

The Parkland School District Administrators recognize that theses are very difficult budget times. They understand the challenges the leadership team, the school board, and administration, have been facing in working to balance the budget while at the same time maintaining high quality educational programs for students. As the board moved toward the proposed budget process in May, the new dollars that have been tentatively placed into the 2011-12 budget for administrative raises have been removed. This was the final step in a long, detailed process to produce a balanced budget. At the May 17, 2011 board meeting, the school board and administration in a shared approach to fiscal responsibility, announced that the administrators (which includes all principals, directors, and all supervisory staff within the District), will not receive a pay increase for 2011-12. The teachers' contract expires in 2012 and the support contract is due to expire in 2013. The teachers' association anticipates a very large number of retirements in 2012 and has stated publicly that they would focus on a pay freeze for the 2012-13 year, the first year of the new contract. The support association has not had any public commentary on this topic. We appreciate the willingness of our administrators to be team players in these challenging economic times.

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New Appointments

Dr. Rodney Troutman will replace Richard Sniscak as the District's new Assistant Superintendent on July 1, 2011 when Dr. Donohue retires and Mr. Sniscak becomes Superintendent. Dr. Troutman is currently serving as Assistant to the Superintendent for Educational Programs.

Mrs. Tracy Smith was promoted to Assistant to the Superintendent for Operations from the District's Director of Technology. Mrs. Smith will become more integral to the overall district leadership as she continues to head the technology department and works to incorporate technology into all areas of district operations to ensure that all departments are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2011 FPCL BOOK SALE HELD AT LCTI
Friends of Parkland Community Library Used Book Sale will be held Saturday, July 30th through Saturday August 5th, with preview night (free for Friends members or a $10.00 donation for non members) on July 29th. Book donations will be accepted at LCTI Monday, July 18th - Thursday, July 28th. No books will be accepted after July 28th. They also will be accepting DVD's, CD's, VHS and
audio books.
THE ALLENTOWN COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION 2011-2012 SERIES will open its 84th season at Parkland High School in September 2011. Opening night will feature the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra on September 23rd and the rest of the season includes American Spirit - Live on Stage/Nashville, The Kingston Trio, The Five Browns, and Project Trio. Series cost is $98. All seating is reserved. For more information, call 610-395-8379.
The 2011-12 PARKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET ADOPTION MEETING is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21st during the regularly scheduled Parkland Board of School Director's meeting at 8 PM in the Administration Center Board Room (1210 Springhouse Rd., Allentown, PA 18104). As is customary with any Board meeting, the public is invited to attend. If, after reading this newsletter which recaps the budget in full detail, you would like to comment on the budget, please feel free to contact the Superintendent's office at 610-351-5500 or attend the June 21st meeting and plan to fill out a comment card upon entry.
JUNE 18, 4TH ANNUAL PARKLAND FOOTBALL GOLF CLASSIC Wedgewood Golf Course, Center Valley, PA, 11:30 AM – 6 PM. Join us for our biggest fundraising event of the year to support the Parkland football team.$85 per golfer includes green fees, cart fees, water and a cookout. Call Mike Zambelli with questions at 610-841-4406.
JUNE 25, 7TH ANNUAL JUSTIN SHEFTEL MEMORIAL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT, Parkland High School Athletic Complex, 9 AM – 9 PM. Many teams will include more than 300 participants at this year's event which includes free admission and family fun and raises funds for scholarships and community contributions in Justin's name. For more information about the tournament visit:
http://justinsheftel.com. Rain date: June 26th.
JULY 1ST, THE 2ND ANNUAL PATTI HEFFNER MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT, Blue Ridge Country Club in Palmerton, PA. Proceeds from this event will help fund the Patti Heffner Memorial Scholarship Trust. The scholarship trust will award annual scholarships to a female senior athlete from Parkland HS, as well as one from Catasauqua HS. For more info on the golf tournament, please visit: http://www.pattiheffnergolf.com.

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