Parkland board adopts $248.8 million budget, sets 17.80‑mill real‑estate tax rate

The Parkland School District Board of School Directors voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 general fund budget, approving total projected expenditures of $248,755,099 and a real estate tax rate of 17.80 mills for the fiscal year running 07/01/2025–06/30/2026. The budget was presented in the district’s PDE-2028 filing and approved following discussion and a roll-call vote.

Board members and administrators described the budget as the result of an extensive, year-long process that balanced student programs with fiscal responsibility. As the administration noted before the vote, "Many of the cost drivers of our budget are beyond our control—mandated cyber charter tuition, inflation, and pension obligations, to name just a few," a statement read into the record on behalf of David Elowich. Supporters said the plan preserves teacher compensation, capital needs and classroom resources.

The vote followed public comment urging the board to investigate drivers of enrollment loss to cyber charters. Board members emphasized ongoing efforts to study residency and enrollment trends and to pursue administrative and policy steps where possible. The motion to adopt the budget passed on a roll-call vote with the board president calling for the tally and the motion carried.