Bloomsburg Area School District
Encyclopedia
The Bloomsburg Area School District is one of the 500 school districts of Pennsylvania. The district covers the Town of Bloomsburg
and Beaver Township
, Hemlock Township, Main Township and Montour Township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
. The district encompasses approximately 81 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 17,860.
There are three elementary schools (grades Kindergarten
through 5th), the largest being Memorial Elementary School, which has about 500 students. The other two schools are W.W. Evans Elementary School and Beaver Main Elementary School, which have about 45 and 20 students per grade, respectively.
US News and World Report ranked 21,000 public high schools, in the United States, based on three factors. First, the schools were analyzed for the number of students who achieved above the state average on the reading and math tests. Then they considered how the economically disadvantaged students performed against the state average. Finally, they considered the participation rate and the performance of students in college readiness by examining Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate test data. Bloomsburg Area High School was ranked Bronze in 2010. Sixty nine Pennsylvania high schools achieved ranking bronze, silver or gold rating.
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
and the No Child Left Behind Act
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "C-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
Beaver-Main Elementary School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education in 2009
The three elementary schools feed into the single Bloomsburg Middle School
(grades 6th, 7th and 8th). Middle school students then move on to the single Bloomsburg High School (grades 9th–12th). The High School has undergone major recent renovations. (summer 2006/fall 2008)
s for math, reading, writing and two years of science.
2009 – 181st
2008 – 212th
2007 – 207th for student achievement among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Bloomsburg Area ranked 30th. In 2009 the district was 82nd. The paper describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question – which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."
US News and World Report ranked 21,000 public high schools, in the United States, based on three factors. First, the schools were analyzed for the number of students who achieved above the state average on the reading and math tests. Then they considered how the economically disadvantaged students performed against the state average. Finally, they considered the participation rate and the performance of students in college readiness by examining Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate test data. Bloomsburg Area High School was ranked Bronze. Seventy Pennsylvania high schools achieved bronze, silver or gold rating. Fifty three Pennsylvania high schools achieved bronze.
In 2009, the student academic achievement of the Bloomsburg Area School District was in the 74th percentile of Pennsylvania public school districts. Scale – (0–99; 100 is state best)
Graduation Rate:
2010 – 96%
2009 – 93%
2008 – 95%
2007 – 95%
11th Grade Reading
2010 – 80% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
Bloomsburg 11th graders ranked 3rd among the Central Pennsylvania IU16 high schools for reading achievement.
2009 – 78%, State – 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 – 85%, State – 65%
2007 – 72%, State – 65%
11th Grade Math:
2010 – 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders on grade level.
In 2010, Bloomsburg 11th graders ranked 11th among the Central Pennsylvania IU16 high schools for math achievement.
2009 – 58%, State – 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2008 – 64%, State – 56%
2007 – 67%, State – 53%
11th Grade Science:
2009 – 49% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2008 – 45%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 19% of Bloomsburg Area School District's 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.
program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.
For the 2009–10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,726 for the program.
Other students, that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are homeschooled are eligible to participate in this program.
beginning in 2014–15 all high school students will be taking the Keystone Exams in English and Mathematics.
8th Grade Reading:
Bloomsburg Middle School 8th grade ranked 8th out of 19 Central Pennsylvania 8th grades in reading achievement in 2010.
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
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, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts are 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.
, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits. The contract expires in June 2011. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year Pennsylvania public school educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2008, the district reported employing 143 teachers, 108 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 6 administrators.
Bloomsburg Area School District administrative costs per pupil were $651.64 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In 2004, the school board awarded a five year superintendent contract to James T. Kelly with a salary of $92,500 and annual raise of $1,500. 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.
Reserves – In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $3,024,594.00.
In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school administration and school board.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, 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 and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.
located in Chester County
, which received a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.
In the 2009–2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided Bloomsburg Area School District with a 5.37% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $5,560,052. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008–09 was $5,276,746.46. Among Columbia County school districts, the largest increase a 6.11%, went to Berwick Area School District
. In Pennsylvania, fifteen school districts received basic education funding increases over 10% in 2009. The largest increase went to Muhlenberg School District
of Berks County which received 22.31% increase in 2009–10. The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.
– Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding is for 2009–2011 budget 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 this federal grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
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 Bloomsburg Area School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.
2006–07 – 5.0%, Base 3.9%
2007–08 – 4.3%, Base 3.4%
2008–09 – 5.5%, Base 4.4%
2009–10 – 5.2%, Base 4.1%
2010–11 – 3.7%, Base 2.9%
2011–12 – 1.8%, Base 1.4%
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.
at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. This was the second year they were the top recipient.
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, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate.
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%).
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of public 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.
and the regional Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.
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.
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg is a town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, 40 miles southwest of Wilkes Barre along the Susquehanna River. In 1900, the population of Bloomsburg stood at 6,170; in 1910, 7,413; in 1940, 9,799, and in 1990, 12,439. The population was 14,855 at the 2010 census...
and Beaver Township
Beaver Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Beaver Township is a township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 885 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
, Hemlock Township, Main Township and Montour Township in Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Columbia County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 64,151 people, 24,915 households, and 16,568 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 27,733 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile...
. The district encompasses approximately 81 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 17,860.
There are three elementary schools (grades Kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
through 5th), the largest being Memorial Elementary School, which has about 500 students. The other two schools are W.W. Evans Elementary School and Beaver Main Elementary School, which have about 45 and 20 students per grade, respectively.
US News and World Report ranked 21,000 public high schools, in the United States, based on three factors. First, the schools were analyzed for the number of students who achieved above the state average on the reading and math tests. Then they considered how the economically disadvantaged students performed against the state average. Finally, they considered the participation rate and the performance of students in college readiness by examining Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate test data. Bloomsburg Area High School was ranked Bronze in 2010. Sixty nine Pennsylvania high schools achieved ranking bronze, silver or gold rating.
Governance
The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, 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...
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act , is a United States federal statute enacted April 11, 1965. It was passed as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and has been the most far-reaching federal legislation affecting education ever passed by Congress...
and the No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "C-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
Beaver-Main Elementary School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education in 2009
The three elementary schools feed into the single Bloomsburg Middle School
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(grades 6th, 7th and 8th). Middle school students then move on to the single Bloomsburg High School (grades 9th–12th). The High School has undergone major recent renovations. (summer 2006/fall 2008)
Academic achievement
Bloomsburg Area School District was ranked 168th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic achievement 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 two years of science.
2009 – 181st
2008 – 212th
2007 – 207th for student achievement among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Bloomsburg Area ranked 30th. In 2009 the district was 82nd. The paper describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question – which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."
US News and World Report ranked 21,000 public high schools, in the United States, based on three factors. First, the schools were analyzed for the number of students who achieved above the state average on the reading and math tests. Then they considered how the economically disadvantaged students performed against the state average. Finally, they considered the participation rate and the performance of students in college readiness by examining Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate test data. Bloomsburg Area High School was ranked Bronze. Seventy Pennsylvania high schools achieved bronze, silver or gold rating. Fifty three Pennsylvania high schools achieved bronze.
In 2009, the student academic achievement of the Bloomsburg Area School District was in the 74th percentile of Pennsylvania public school districts. Scale – (0–99; 100 is state best)
Graduation Rate:
2010 – 96%
2009 – 93%
2008 – 95%
2007 – 95%
Bloomsburg Area High School
PSSA Results11th Grade Reading
2010 – 80% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
Bloomsburg 11th graders ranked 3rd among the Central Pennsylvania IU16 high schools for reading achievement.
2009 – 78%, State – 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 – 85%, State – 65%
2007 – 72%, State – 65%
11th Grade Math:
2010 – 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders on grade level.
In 2010, Bloomsburg 11th graders ranked 11th among the Central Pennsylvania IU16 high schools for math achievement.
2009 – 58%, State – 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2008 – 64%, State – 56%
2007 – 67%, State – 53%
11th Grade Science:
2009 – 49% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2008 – 45%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 19% of Bloomsburg Area School District's 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 offers a Dual EnrollmentDual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.
For the 2009–10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,726 for the program.
Other students, that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are homeschooled are eligible to participate in this program.
Graduation requirements
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.beginning in 2014–15 all high school students will be taking the Keystone Exams in English and Mathematics.
Middle school
In the Pennsylvania Department of Education application for School Improvement Grant funding, in 2010, the middle school was identified as a low performing school due to lagging student achievement in 2007–2009.8th Grade Reading:
- 2010 – 86% on grade level. State – 81% of 8th graders were on grade level. (7% below basic)
Bloomsburg Middle School 8th grade ranked 8th out of 19 Central Pennsylvania 8th grades in reading achievement in 2010.
- 2009 – 74%. State – 80% (12% below basic)
- 2008 – 66%, State – 78% (18% below basic)
- 2007 – 77%, State – 75% (9% below basic)
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 – 85%, on grade level. State – 75% of 8th graders were on grade level. (7% below basic)
- 2009 – 69%, State – 71% (14% below basic)
- 2008 – 65%, State – 70% (19% below basic)
- 2007 – 77%, State – 67% (10% below basic)
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 – 71% on grade level. State – 57% of 8th graders were on grade level. (13% below basic)
- 2009 – 57%, State – 55% (16% below basic)
- 2008 – 54%, State – 52%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2010 – 78% on grade level. State – 73% (6% below basic)
- 2009 – 76%, State – 71.7% (7% below basic)
- 2008 – 62%, State – 70% (16% below basic)
- 2007 – 65%, State – 66% (19% below basic)
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 – 85% on grade level. State – 77% (6% below basic)
- 2009 – 81%, State – 75% (6% below basic)
- 2008 – 73%, State – 72% (12% below basic)
- 2007 – 65%, State – 67% (19% below basic)
6th Grade Reading:
- 2010 – 77% on grade level. State – 68% (13% below basic)
- 2009 – 86%, State – 67% (6% below basic)
- 2008 – 73%, State – 67% (9% below basic)
- 2007 – 62%, State – 63% (19% below basic)
6th Grade Math:
- 2010 – 87% on grade level. State – 78% (4% below basic)
- 2009 – 90%, State – 75.9% (3% below basic)
- 2008 – 75%, State – 72% (10% below basic)
- 2007 – 66%, State – 69% (15% below basic)
Wellness policy
Bloomsburg Area School Board established a district 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 Act (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 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, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts are 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.
Budget
In 2007, the district employed 132 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $48,412 for 180 days worked. 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, the 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, personal days, sick days, and other benefits. The contract expires in June 2011. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year Pennsylvania public school educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2008, the district reported employing 143 teachers, 108 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 6 administrators.
Bloomsburg Area School District administrative costs per pupil were $651.64 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In 2004, the school board awarded a five year superintendent contract to James T. Kelly with a salary of $92,500 and annual raise of $1,500. 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.
Reserves – In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $3,024,594.00.
In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school administration and school board.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, 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 and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.
State basic education funding
For 2010–11 the state allocated the Bloomsburg Area School District a 4.48% increase in basic education funding, for a total of $5,809,008. The highest increase, among Columbia County school districts, went to Southern Columbia Area School District with a 5.77% increase. One hundred fifty school districts received a base 2% increase in state funding. The highest increase in the state went to Kennett Consolidated School DistrictKennett 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....
located 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...
, which received a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.
In the 2009–2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided Bloomsburg Area School District with a 5.37% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $5,560,052. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008–09 was $5,276,746.46. Among Columbia County school districts, the largest increase a 6.11%, went to Berwick Area School District
Berwick Area School District
The Berwick Area School District is a midsized, public school district. Berwick Area School District encompasses approximately 101 square miles, spanning portions of two rural Pennsylvania counties. In Columbia County it covers the Boroughs of Berwick and Briar Creek and Briar Creek Township...
. In Pennsylvania, fifteen school districts received basic education funding increases over 10% in 2009. The largest increase went to 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 which received 22.31% increase in 2009–10. The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.
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 district applied for and received $251,521 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide Full Day Kindergarten.- 2009–10 – $251,521 for Full Day Kindergarten for 154 pupils for the 5th year.
- 2008–09 – $251,521 for Full Day Kindergarten.
Federal Stimulus Funding Grant
The district received an extra $1,223,385 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 is for 2009–2011 budget years.
Race to the Top
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 this federal grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
Real estate taxes
The Bloomsburg Area School Board set the 2009 real estate taxes at 36.2000 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.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 2011–2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but it 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, increasing rising health care 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 Bloomsburg Area School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.
2006–07 – 5.0%, Base 3.9%
2007–08 – 4.3%, Base 3.4%
2008–09 – 5.5%, Base 4.4%
2009–10 – 5.2%, Base 4.1%
2010–11 – 3.7%, Base 2.9%
2011–12 – 1.8%, Base 1.4%
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, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Bloomsburg Area School District was $167 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,965 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Columbia County, Benton Area School District received the highest relief at $225 for 2010. 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 acres (40,468.6 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Columbia County 71% of eligible property owners applied for tax relief in 2009. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware CountyDelaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. This was the second year they were the top recipient.
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, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate.
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%).
Enrollment and Consolidation
The enrollment at Bloomsburg Area School District is projected to decline significantly by 2019. A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal 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. Pennsylvania Department of Education data shows that from 1999–2000 to 2008–09 there has been a 12 percent increase in public school staff even as there was a 1 percent decline in enrollment. Pennsylvania schools added 17,345 professional employees and 15,582 support workers over this time, while enrollment declined by 26,960. Total public school enrollment in 2009 was 1,787,351 pupils.Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of public 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.
Extracurriculars
The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. The school board sets policies regarding eligibility to participate in these activities. Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic AssociationPennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....
and the regional Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.
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.
External links
- Bloomsburg Area School District official site, including a listing of faculty and administrative staff.