Bentworth School District
Encyclopedia
The Bentworth School District is a small, rural public school district located in southwestern Pennsylvania
. Bentworth School District encompasses approximately 54 square miles. It covers the boroughs of Bentleyville
, Cokeburg
and Ellsworth
as well as North Bethlehem Township and Somerset Township
in Washington County, Pennsylvania
. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,837. In 2009, the residents' per capita income
was $19,204, while the district's median family income was $43,148 a year. Per school district officials, in school year 2007–08 the Bentworth School District provided basic educational services to 1,166 pupils. It employed 91 teachers, 53 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Bentworth School District received more than $8.6 million in state education funding in school year 2007–08.
The elementary, middle and high schools are located in Bentleyville
. Additionally, the district maintains an athletic field in Ellsworth.
The school district was ranked 66th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 1 year of science. In 2008, the school district ranked 64th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania districts.
In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Bentworth School District, was in the 20th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0–99; 100 is state best)
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Bentworth Senior High School's rate was 93% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading:
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 35% of Bentworth School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Dual Enrollment The high school does not offer the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. The program is offered through over 400 school districts with the assistance of a state grant.
By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. Students earn a credit towards graduation upon completion of their project.
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
s for math, reading, writing and one year of science.
8th Grade Reading:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
services.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Bentworth School District received a $730,901 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.
The Bentworth School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 sick days and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2007, the Bentworth School District employed 83 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $50,518 for 180 days worked.
The district administrative costs in 2008 were $833.39 per pupil. This ranked 155th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In August 2006, the school board awarded a three year superintendent contract to Charles Baker. The initial salary was set at $95,000 and it would increase to $100,786 in 2009. Additionally, an extensive benefits package was provided. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007–08 school year was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.
In 2008, Bentworth School District reported spending $12,865 per pupil. This ranked 189th in the commonwealth.
Reserves
In 2009, the district reported $291,464 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.
In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.
The Bentworth School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, and grants coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the income level.
For 2010–11 the Bentworth School District received a 5.44% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $6,458,560 payment. Charleroi School District
received a 9.90% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Washington County. Kennett Consolidated School District
in Chester County
received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010–11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010–11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009–2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $6,125,430. The state Basic Education funding to the Bentworth School District in 2008–09 was $6,005,323.32. Seventy school districts in Pennsylvania received the minimum base increase of 2 percent. The highest increase in Washington County went to Burgettstown Area School District
which received a 6.45% increase. Muhlenberg School District
of Berks County received the highest Basic Education Funding increase in Pennsylvania – an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen Pennsylvania school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, 310 Bentworth School District students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.
– Federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding was for 2009–10 and 2010–2011 school years.
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.
in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Bentworth School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.
For the 2011–12 school year the Bentworth School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Bentworth School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
According to a state report, for the 2011–2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.
Bentworth School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009–10 or in 2010–11. In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently people who have an income of substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation
, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The Superintendent annually reports to the Board on the district's compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Alma mater, Alma Mater, may your glory ring, hail, Alma Mater, songs of praise we sing.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Bentworth School District encompasses approximately 54 square miles. It covers the boroughs of Bentleyville
Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
Bentleyville is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,502 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bentleyville is located at . U.S...
, Cokeburg
Cokeburg, Pennsylvania
Cokeburg is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, founded in 1902. The population was 705 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cokeburg is located at ....
and Ellsworth
Ellsworth, Pennsylvania
Ellsworth is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States.-Geography:Ellsworth is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,083...
as well as North Bethlehem Township and Somerset Township
Somerset Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania
Somerset Township is a township in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,701 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
in Washington County, Pennsylvania
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,837. In 2009, the residents' per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $19,204, while the district's median family income was $43,148 a year. Per school district officials, in school year 2007–08 the Bentworth School District provided basic educational services to 1,166 pupils. It employed 91 teachers, 53 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Bentworth School District received more than $8.6 million in state education funding in school year 2007–08.
History
The school system's name is a combination of the former public schools operated in Bentleyville (Bears) and Ellsworth (Cats). The school's mascot, the Bearcat, is also a combination of those belonging to former schools.Former Schools
- Bentleyville Elementary School (Washington Street School, Bentleyville High School)
- Somerset Elementary School
- Scenery Hill School (presently North Bethlehem Twp. Community Center)
- Nicholl School
Current Schools
The system currently operates three schools:- Bentworth Elementary Center serves students K-4th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.
- Bentworth Middle School serves students 5th–8th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.
- Bentworth High School
The elementary, middle and high schools are located in Bentleyville
Bentleyville, Pennsylvania
Bentleyville is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,502 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bentleyville is located at . U.S...
. Additionally, the district maintains an athletic field in Ellsworth.
Academic achievement
The district was ranked 359th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 3 years of science.- 2010 – 306th
- 2009 – 287th
- 2008 – 263rd out of 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts.
- 2007 – 287th out of 501 Pennsylvania School Districts.
The school district was ranked 66th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 1 year of science. In 2008, the school district ranked 64th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania districts.
In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Bentworth School District, was in the 20th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0–99; 100 is state best)
Graduation Rate
In 2011, Bentworth School District's graduation rate was 96%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Bentworth Senior High School's rate was 93% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
- 2010 – 91%
- 2009 – 92%
- 2008 – 91%
- 2007 – 91%
High school
In 2011, Bentworth Senior HIgh School declined to Warning AYP status due to laggIng student achievement. In 2010, Bentworth Senior High School achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind. In 2009, the high school ranked 60th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools by the Pittsburgh Business Times.PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 63% on grade level, (19% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 – 68%, (15% below basic). State - 66%
- 2009 – 65%, State – 65%.
- 2008 – 68%, State – 65%
- 2007 – 80%, State – 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 64%, on grade level (20% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 – 58%, (28% below basic). State - 59%
- 2009 – 56%, State – 56%
- 2008 – 59%, State – 56%
- 2007 – 64%, State – 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 37% on grade level (13% below basic). State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 – 41%, (13% below basic). State - 39%
- 2009 – 34%, State – 40%
- 2008 – 36%, State – 39%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 35% of Bentworth School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Dual Enrollment The high school does not offer the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. The program is offered through over 400 school districts with the assistance of a state grant.
Graduation Requirements
The Bentworth School Board has determined that a student must earn 24.5 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Math 3 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Science 3 credits (one course of Life Science & Physical Science), and Health 1 course, Physical Education 1 course per year, Arts/Humanities 2 credits, graduation project 1 credit, 2 technology courses, and 6 electives.By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. Students earn a credit towards graduation upon completion of their project.
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
Middle school
In 2011, the school achieved AYP status. It also achieved AYP status in 2010. The attendance rate was 94% in both 2011 and 2010 school years. Bentworth Middle School was ranked 86th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAPennsylvania System of School Assessment
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is a standardized test administered to public schools in the state of Pennsylvania. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 are assessed in reading skills and mathematics. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are assessed in writing skills...
s for math, reading, writing and one year of science.
8th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 88% on grade level (3% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2010 – 80% on grade level Boys – 72% | Girls −89%. State – 82%
- 2009 – 74% Boys – 69% | Girls − 79%, State – 80.9%
- 2008 – 76%, State – 78%
- 2007 – 57%, State – 75%
8th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 86% on grade level (3% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
- 2010 – 64%, Boys – 62% | Girls − 67%. State – 75%
- 2009 – 78% Boys – 78% | Girls - 77%, State – 71%
- 2008 – 78%, State - 70%
- 2007 – 67%, State – 67%
8th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 62% on grade level (17% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 – 48%, Boys – 43% | Girls −52% (30% below basic). State – 57%
- 2009 – 56%, State – 55%
- 2008 – 50%, State – 50%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 76% on grade level (4% below basic). State – 76%
- 2010 – 85%, Boys – 70% | Girls – 80%, (9% below basic). State - 73%
- 2009 – 65%, Boys – 57% | Girls – 77%, (14% below basic). State – 71%
7th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 85% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 78.6%
- 2010 – 85%, Boys – 84% | Girls −85% (7% below basic). State - 77%
- 2009 – 67% Boys – 61% | Girls −73% (12% below basic). State – 75%
6th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 61% on grade level (16% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 – 59% on grade level Boys – 47% | Girls −70% (21% below basic). State – 68%.
- 2009 – 63% (15% below basic), State – 67%
6th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 77% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 78.8%
- 2010 – 66%, (15% below basic). State - 78%
- 2009 – 72%, (10% below basic). State – 75%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 65% on grade level (13% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 67.3% of 5th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 – 63%, Boys – 62% | Girls −64% (13% below basic). State – 64%
- 2009 – 64%, Boys – 57% | Girls −70% (17% below basic), State – 64%
5th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 69% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 74%
- 2010 – 76%, Boys – 88% | Girls - 67% (7% below basic). State – 74%
- 2009 – 61%, Boys – 60% | Girls - 62% (14% below basic). State – 73%
Special education
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 196 pupils or 16% of the district's pupils received Special EducationSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
services.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Bentworth School District received a $730,901 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.
Gifted education
The District Administration reported that 21 or 1.76% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.Bullying
The Bentworth School District administration reported there were 2 incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.The Bentworth School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
Budget
In 2009, the district reports employing over 100 teachers with a starting salary of $38,000 for 180 days for pupil instruction and 8 inservice days. The average teacher salary was $46,699 while the maximum salary is $100,786. The teachers work 7 hours and 30 minutes including a paid lunch period. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation. Additionally, Bentworth School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insuranceHealth insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 sick days and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2007, the Bentworth School District employed 83 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $50,518 for 180 days worked.
The district administrative costs in 2008 were $833.39 per pupil. This ranked 155th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In August 2006, the school board awarded a three year superintendent contract to Charles Baker. The initial salary was set at $95,000 and it would increase to $100,786 in 2009. Additionally, an extensive benefits package was provided. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007–08 school year was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.
In 2008, Bentworth School District reported spending $12,865 per pupil. This ranked 189th in the commonwealth.
Reserves
In 2009, the district reported $291,464 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.
In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.
The Bentworth School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, and grants coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the income level.
State Basic Education funding
In 2011–12, the district received $6,005,323 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district received $80,926 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania State Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011–2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011.For 2010–11 the Bentworth School District received a 5.44% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $6,458,560 payment. Charleroi School District
Charleroi School District
The Charleroi School District is a public school district covering the Boroughs of Charleroi, Dunlevy, North Charleroi, Speers, Stockdale and Twilight and Fallowfield Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania.- Schools :...
received a 9.90% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Washington County. Kennett Consolidated School District
Kennett Consolidated School District
The Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010–11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010–11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009–2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $6,125,430. The state Basic Education funding to the Bentworth School District in 2008–09 was $6,005,323.32. Seventy school districts in Pennsylvania received the minimum base increase of 2 percent. The highest increase in Washington County went to Burgettstown Area School District
Burgettstown Area School District
The Burgettstown Area School District is a small, rural public school district located in Washington County, in southwestern Pennsylvania. It services the Borough of Burgettstown and Hanover Township, Jefferson Township, and Smith Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The Burgettstown Area...
which received a 6.45% increase. Muhlenberg School District
Muhlenberg School District
The Muhlenberg Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. It encompasses the borough of Laureldale and the Muhlenberg Township. The district encompasses approximately 13 square miles. Per the 2000 federal census data it serves a resident...
of Berks County received the highest Basic Education Funding increase in Pennsylvania – an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen Pennsylvania school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, 310 Bentworth School District students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.
Accountability Block Grants
Beginning in 2004–2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, All Day Kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010–11 the Bentworth School District applied for and received $219,653 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide small class size K-3rd, to provide professional development to teachers, and to change to effective, research based instruction techniques.Classrooms for the Future grant
The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006–2009. Bentworth School District was denied funding in 2006–07. In 2007–08 the district received $135,270. For the 2008–09, school year the district received $45,413 for a total of $180,683. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.Federal stimulus grant
The Bentworth School District received $1,118,445 in ARRAArra
Arra is a census town in Puruliya district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Demographics: India census, Arra had a population of 19,911. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Arra has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the...
– Federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding was for 2009–10 and 2010–2011 school years.
Race to the Top grant
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the TopRace to the Top
Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competition designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education...
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
Common Cents state initiative
The Bentworth School Board did not chose to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.Enrollment and consolidation
A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal Pennsylvania school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was 3000 pupils. Consolidation of administrations with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in both communities. According to a 2009 proposal by Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improving high school student academic achievement, enriching the curriculum programs or to reducing local property taxes.More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.
Real estate taxes
Bentworth School Board set property tax rates in 2011–12 at 117.00 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. On the local level, Pennsylvania district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.- 2010–11 – 115.00 mills.
- 2009–10 – 112.00 mills.
- 2008–09 – 110.00 mills
- 2007–08 – 108.00 mills.
Act 1 Adjusted index
The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2010–2011 school year is 2.9 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor StatisticsBureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a unit of the United States Department of Labor. It is the principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is a governmental statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and...
in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Bentworth School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.
- 2006–07 – 5.4%, Base 3.9%
- 2007–08 – 4.7%, Base 3.4%
- 2008–09 – 6.1%, Base 4.4%
- 2009–10 – 5.7%, Base 4.1%
- 2010–11 – 4.1%, Base 2.9%
- 2011–12 – 2.0%, Base 1.4%
- 2012-13 - 2.4%, Base - 1.7%
For the 2011–12 school year the Bentworth School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Bentworth School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
According to a state report, for the 2011–2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.
Bentworth School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009–10 or in 2010–11. In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.
Property tax relief
In 2010, property tax relief for 2,428 approved residents of Bentworth School District was set at $164. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Bentworth School District was $164 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2432 property owners applied for the tax relief. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Washington County, 73% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently people who have an income of substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation
Tax Foundation
The Tax Foundation is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank founded in 1937 that collects data and publishes research studies on tax policies at the federal and state levels. The organization is broken into three primary areas of research which are the Center for Federal Fiscal Policy, The and the...
, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
Wellness policy
The Bentworth School Board established a district student wellness policy in 2006 – Policy 246. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch ActNational School Lunch Act
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is a United States federal law signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1946. The act created the National School Lunch Program , a program to provide low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students through subsidies to schools...
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The Superintendent annually reports to the Board on the district's compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Alma Mater
Hail to the Black and Gold, our banner we unfold, our trust in thee is true, faithful and loyal too.Alma mater, Alma Mater, may your glory ring, hail, Alma Mater, songs of praise we sing.
Bentworth High School
- Hon. Debbie O'Dell Seneca (~1970); Washington CountyWashington County, Pennsylvania-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
Court of Common Pleas (1991–present, president judge since 2004); Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline (2001–2005, president 2004) - Gina Bertocci, PhD, PE (1979); Endowed Chair, Mechanical Engineering Department, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville http://www.louisville.edu (2004–present); Director, Injury Risk Assessment and Prevention Laboratory http://speed.louisville.edu/labs/irap/, Louisville, KY
Bentleyville High School
- Lillian Bassi; mid-Mon Valley philanthropist
- Val Jansante; Pittsburgh Steeler 1946–51
- Dr. Michael L. McNulty (1959); professor emeritus of geography, University of IowaUniversity of IowaThe University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
- Hon. J. Barry Stout (1960); Pennsylvania state senator
Ellsworth High School
- Donald P. BellisarioDonald BellisarioDonald Paul Bellisario is an American television producer and screenwriter who created and sometimes wrote episodes for the TV series Magnum, P.I., Airwolf, Quantum Leap, JAG, and NCIS...
(1953); screenwriter and producer
Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The school board sets policies regarding eligibility to participate in these activities.By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.