Clearfield Area School District
Encyclopedia
The Clearfield Area School District is a rural, public school district
. It is located within the central and northern portion of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
. Clearfield Area School District encompasses approximately 345 square miles.The district covers the Borough of Clearfield
and Bradford Township
, Covington Township
, Girard Township
, Goshen Township, Knox Township
, Lawrence Township
and Pine Township
. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 20,215 people. in 2009 the district residents' per capita income
was $16,245 a year, while the median family income was $37,134. Per school district officials, in school year 2007-08, the Clearfield Area School District provided basic educational services to 2,614 pupils through the employment of 209 teachers, 163 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 15 administrators. The Clearfield Area School District received more than $16.9 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
The colors of the school district are red
and black
, and the mascot
is the bison. The mascot is modeled after the look of the American Bison
.
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 "F" 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.
s for math, reading, writing and three years of science.
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Clearfield Area School District was in the 16th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Clearfield Area School District's rate was 74% for 2010.
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, 9% of Clearfield Area 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, earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduates 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.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,510 for the program.
3.5 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Driver Ed. Theory .25 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Life 101 0.25, Health 0.5 credit, Computer 0.50 credit and 6.5 elective credits.
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.
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 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 count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
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:
(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.
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.
Clearfield Area School District received a $1,601,942 supplement for special education services in 2010.
In 2008, per pupil spending at Clearfield Area School District was $11,801 for each child. This ranked 295th among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.
Clearfield Area School District administrative costs was $660 per pupil in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. On November 3, 2008, the Clearfield Board of Education named Dr. Richard C. Makin as the Superintendent of the Clearfield Area School District.
In June 2010, as a part of the budget process, the Board reduced staffing and abolished positions due to declining enrollment.
The bankruptcy of a Clearfield Bionol LLC meant a loss of $465,000 in tax revenues. The loss of tax revenue will be covered by $477,000 more from the state, in increases in the basic education subsidy, accountability block grant and state share social security.
Reserves - In 2008, the Clearfield Area School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,652,666.00.
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 provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Both pension income and Social Security income are both exempted from state income tax and local income tax regardless of the level of income.
In 2010, the district reported that 1,502 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 budget year the Clearfield Area School District received a 3.36% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $12,451,664.84. Dubois Area School District
received a 7.76% increase, which was the highest increase in state funding among Clearfield County school districts. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received the 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District
of Chester County
which was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.71% increase in Basic Education Funding for Clearfield Area School District a total of $12,451,665. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $11,891,645.31. The highest percentage of state funding increase in Clearfield County went to Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District
which received a 5.57% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District
of Berks County received an increase of 22.31% which was the highest in the commonwealth. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase. 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.
for the seventh year. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding and all federal funding. Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants. In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million dollars in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all day kindergartens.
- 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 the 200910 and 2010-11 school years.
In 2009 the district reported having 1340 students participating in the federal free and reduced lunch program due to low family income.
For the 2010-11 school year, Clearfield Area School District administration did not apply for a School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the high school.
federal grant which would have brought the district over $1 million in 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.
, and the school district's October 2008 Free and Reduced Lunch percentage must be greater than or equal to 45 percent; or the school district's average daily membership must have increased between 2002–2003 and 2007-2008 by more than 500 or by more than 10 percent. Additionally, 100 percent of available project proceeds must be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities, equipment for these facilities, or related site acquisition. In Pennsylvania, 46 school districts received more than $600 million in bonds made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Pennsylvania's allocation for the Qualified School Construction Bonds was $602 million – the sixth largest allocation in the nation. Under the program, the federal government pays essentially 100 percent of the interest on the QSCB bonds, which are issued under the recovery act's Build America Bonds program.
In 2010, Reliant Energy appealed its tax assessment. In the settlement, the power plant will have a market value of $10 million in 2008 and 2009, down $5 million from the current market value at which the plant had been taxed. The assessed value ratio will be 17.4 percent in 2008 and 17.6 percent in 2009, giving the plant an assessed value of $1,740,000 in 2008 and $1,760,000 in 2009. The reduced value means the school district will lose about $73,000 in tax revenue from the power plant.
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. In June of 2011, the Commonwealth's General Assembly passed an Omnibus Education Bill which eliminated several Act 1 Index exceptions except: pension costs, special education costs and building costs that have already been approved by voter referendum.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Clearfield Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Clearfield Area School Board applied for multiple exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index including: pension costs, Maintenance of Selected Revenue Sources, Maintenance of Local Tax Revenue permitting the school board to raise taxes 4.2949 mills. Each year the Clearfield Area 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
.
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 $641 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. Chester-Upland School District was given $632 in 2009. 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, consequently individuals who have income substantially greater 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%).
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.
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
. It is located within the central and northern portion of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
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...
. Clearfield Area School District encompasses approximately 345 square miles.The district covers the Borough of Clearfield
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Clearfield is a borough in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,631 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clearfield County.-Geography:Clearfield is located at ....
and Bradford Township
Bradford Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Bradford Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,314 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:At the 2000 census,...
, Covington Township
Covington Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Covington Township is a civil township in Clearfield County of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 621.-Geography:...
, Girard Township
Girard Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Girard Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 674 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...
, Goshen Township, Knox Township
Knox Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Knox Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, in the United States.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, Lawrence Township
Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Lawrence Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,712 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...
and Pine Township
Pine Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Pine Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 77 at the 2000 census. S. B. Elliott State Park a Pennsylvania state park is in Pine Township...
. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 20,215 people. in 2009 the district 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 $16,245 a year, while the median family income was $37,134. Per school district officials, in school year 2007-08, the Clearfield Area School District provided basic educational services to 2,614 pupils through the employment of 209 teachers, 163 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 15 administrators. The Clearfield Area School District received more than $16.9 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
The colors of the school district are red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
and black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
, and the mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is the bison. The mascot is modeled after the look of the American Bison
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
.
Schools
The district operates one High School (9th-12th), one Middle School (5th-8th) and four Elementary Schools (K-4th).- Bradford Township Elementary School Report Card 2010 http://www.scribd.com/doc/63946657/Bradford-Township-ES-Clearfield-School-District-Report-Card-2010
- Centre Elementary School Report Card 2010 http://www.scribd.com/doc/63946586/Centre-Elementary-School-Clearfield-School-District-Report-Card-2010
- Clearfield Elementary School Report Card 2010 http://www.scribd.com/doc/63946523/Clearfield-Elementary-School-Clearfield-School-District-Report-Card-2010, Report Card 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/32817037/Clearfield-Elementary-School-Academic-Achievement-Report-Card-2009
- Girard-Goshen Elementary School Report Card 2010 http://www.scribd.com/doc/63946397/GIRARD-GOSHEN-ELEM-SCHOOL-Clearfield-School-District-Report-Card-2010
- Clearfield Area Middle School
- Clearfield Area High SchoolClearfield Area High SchoolClearfield Area High School is a public high school located near the village of Hyde, Pennsylvania. The high school serves students from most of central and north central Clearfield County. The school's mascot is the bison, modeled after the American Bison...
Governance
The Clearfield Area 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 "F" 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.
Academic achievement
Clearfield Area School District was ranked 401st 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 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 three years of science.
- 2010 - 398th
- 2009 - 427th
- 2008 - 436th
- 2007 - 429th of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts.
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Clearfield Area School District was in the 16th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)
Graduation Rate
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. Clearfield Area School District's rate was 74% for 2010.
- 2010 - 84%
- 2009 - 85%
- 2008 - 89%
- 2007 - 87%
High school
In 2010 the high school has declined to Corrective Action I due to chronic, low student academic achievement. In 2009, the high school is in Making Progress: in School Improvement II.PSSA Results:
11th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 64% on grade level, In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders on grade level.
- 2009 - 65%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 59%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 61%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math
- 2010 - 49% on grade level. (24% below basic). In Pennsylvania 59% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 55% (23% below basic), State - 56%
- 2008 - 48%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 47%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 39% on grade level, In Pennsylvania, 40% of 11th graders on grade level.
- 2009 - 32%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 31%, State - 39%
College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 9% of Clearfield Area 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, earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduates 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 Enrollment 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 at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. Mount Aloysius College and Penn Highlands Community College are open to the students. 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.For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,510 for the program.
Graduation requirements
The Clearfield Area School Board has determined that a high school student must earn 24.50 credits in order to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social StudiesSocial studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
3.5 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Driver Ed. Theory .25 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Life 101 0.25, Health 0.5 credit, Computer 0.50 credit and 6.5 elective credits.
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.
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, English Composition, and Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
Middle school
In 2010, the middle school has declined to School Improvement I due to low student achievement. In 2009, the school was in Warning AYP status. The attendance rate was 94%.8th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 75% on grade level. State - 82% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 80%, State - 80.9%
- 2008 - 75%, State - 78%
- 2007 - 70%, State - 75%
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 82% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 74%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 71%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 60%, State - 67%
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 55% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 47%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 48%, State - 50%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 65% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 66%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 63%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 59%, State - 66%
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 67% on grade level. State - 78% of 7th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 74%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 62%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 61%, State - 67%
6th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 57% on grade level. State - 68% of 7th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 57%, State - 67%
- 2008 - 60%, State - 67%
- 2007 - 52%, State - 63%
6th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 76% on grade level. State - 78% of 6th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 63%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 59%, State - 72%
- 2007 - 53%, State - 69%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 51% on grade level. State - 64% of 5th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 54%, State - 64%
- 2008 - 52%, State - 61%
- 2007 - 50%, State - 60%
5th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 71% on grade level. State - 74% of 5th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 71%, State - 73%
- 2008 - 66%, State - 73%
- 2007 - 67%, State - 71%
Wellness policy
Clearfield 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 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.
Special Education
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 448 pupils or 17% 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.
Clearfield Area School District received a $1,601,942 supplement for special education services in 2010.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 75 or 2.74% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. 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.Budget
In 2007, the district employed 175 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $51,422 for 180 days worked. The teachers were the highest paid in Clearfield County.In 2008, per pupil spending at Clearfield Area School District was $11,801 for each child. This ranked 295th among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.
Clearfield Area School District administrative costs was $660 per pupil in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. On November 3, 2008, the Clearfield Board of Education named Dr. Richard C. Makin as the Superintendent of the Clearfield Area School District.
In June 2010, as a part of the budget process, the Board reduced staffing and abolished positions due to declining enrollment.
The bankruptcy of a Clearfield Bionol LLC meant a loss of $465,000 in tax revenues. The loss of tax revenue will be covered by $477,000 more from the state, in increases in the basic education subsidy, accountability block grant and state share social security.
Reserves - In 2008, the Clearfield Area School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,652,666.00.
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 provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Both pension income and Social Security income are both exempted from state income tax and local income tax regardless of the level of income.
State basic education funding
In 2011-12, the district will receive $11,891,645 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $215,325 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. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to uquesne City School District which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.In 2010, the district reported that 1,502 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 budget year the Clearfield Area School District received a 3.36% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $12,451,664.84. Dubois Area School District
DuBois Area School District
The Dubois Area School District spans portions of two counties. It encompasses an area of approximately with a population of 32,241 In Clearfield County it covers the City of DuBois, the Boroughs of Falls Creek and Troutville and Bloom Township, Brady Township, Huston Township, Sandy Township and...
received a 7.76% increase, which was the highest increase in state funding among Clearfield County school districts. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received the 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to 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....
of 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 was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.71% increase in Basic Education Funding for Clearfield Area School District a total of $12,451,665. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $11,891,645.31. The highest percentage of state funding increase in Clearfield County went to Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District
Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District
The Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District is a public school district serving the portions of Centre County, Pennsylvania and Clearfield County, Pennsylvania...
which received a 5.57% increase in 2009-10. 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 an increase of 22.31% which was the highest in the commonwealth. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase. 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.
Accountability Block Grant
The state provides additional education funding to schools in the form of Accountability Block Grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses designed to improve student academic achievement. Clearfield Area School District uses its $584,444 to fund all day kindergartenKindergarten
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...
for the seventh year. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding and all federal funding. Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants. In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million dollars in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all day kindergartens.
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, Mathematics) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Clearfield Area School District received was denied funding, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district was again, denied funding. For the 2008-09, school year the district received a $148,208. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.Federal Funding
The federal government provides both annual funding for schools targeted to low income and special education students and also many grants the school district administartion must apply for, which bring substantial additional funding.Federal Stimulus
The district received an extra $2,513,788 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 the 200910 and 2010-11 school years.
In 2009 the district reported having 1340 students participating in the federal free and reduced lunch program due to low family income.
School Improvement Grant
In the summer of 2011, the district administration did not apply for School Improvement Grant funding, from the federal government (over $9.9 million available). The grant stipulates the funds be used for improving student achievement using one of four federally dictated strategies. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or closure of failing schools. The Pennsylvania Education Secretary awarded $66 Million to reform Pennsylvania's lowest achieving schools in August 2011. The funding is for three years.For the 2010-11 school year, Clearfield Area School District administration did not apply for a School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the high school.
Race to the Top
Clearfield Area School District officials failed to 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 over $1 million in 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.
Qualified School Construction Bond
In 2010, the district applied for and will receive an extra $1.965,000 million in federal stimulus funding for construction projects. This funding is from the federal Qualified School Construction Bond Program. In order to qualify the school district's 2007-2008 equalized millage must be greater than or equal to 19.0 or the school district must be in a county designated distressed for 2010 by the Appalachian Regional CommissionAppalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life...
, and the school district's October 2008 Free and Reduced Lunch percentage must be greater than or equal to 45 percent; or the school district's average daily membership must have increased between 2002–2003 and 2007-2008 by more than 500 or by more than 10 percent. Additionally, 100 percent of available project proceeds must be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities, equipment for these facilities, or related site acquisition. In Pennsylvania, 46 school districts received more than $600 million in bonds made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Pennsylvania's allocation for the Qualified School Construction Bonds was $602 million – the sixth largest allocation in the nation. Under the program, the federal government pays essentially 100 percent of the interest on the QSCB bonds, which are issued under the recovery act's Build America Bonds program.
Common Cents state initiative
The Clearfield Area School District School Board chose to not 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.Real estate taxes
In the spring of 2010, the school board increased property tax 3 mills to 89.84 mills. Property tax rates in 2008-2009 were set at 86.8400 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.- 2009-10 - 86.8400 mills.
- 2008-09 - 86.8400 mills.
- 2007-08 - 83.8400 mills.
In 2010, Reliant Energy appealed its tax assessment. In the settlement, the power plant will have a market value of $10 million in 2008 and 2009, down $5 million from the current market value at which the plant had been taxed. The assessed value ratio will be 17.4 percent in 2008 and 17.6 percent in 2009, giving the plant an assessed value of $1,740,000 in 2008 and $1,760,000 in 2009. The reduced value means the school district will lose about $73,000 in tax revenue from the power plant.
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 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. In June of 2011, the Commonwealth's General Assembly passed an Omnibus Education Bill which eliminated several Act 1 Index exceptions except: pension costs, special education costs and building costs that have already been approved by voter referendum.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Clearfield Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
- 2006-07 - 5.5%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.8%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 6.2%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.8%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 4.1%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4%
For the 2011-12 school year, the Clearfield Area School Board applied for multiple exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index including: pension costs, Maintenance of Selected Revenue Sources, Maintenance of Local Tax Revenue permitting the school board to raise taxes 4.2949 mills. Each year the Clearfield Area 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
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...
.
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 Clearfield Area School District was set per approved permanent primary residence. The property tax 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 Clearfield County, 70% of eligible property owners applied for property 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 $641 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. Chester-Upland School District was given $632 in 2009. 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, consequently individuals who have income substantially greater 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%).
Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is set through school board policy.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.
Alumni
- Howard FargoHoward FargoHoward L. Fargo is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he represented the 8th legislative district....
, (class of 1946), member of the Pennsylvania House of RepresentativesPennsylvania House of RepresentativesThe Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
from 1981-2000. Served as Republican Caucus Chairman 1995-2000.
Other Clearfield County school districts
- Curwensville Area School DistrictCurwensville Area School DistrictThe Curwensville Area School District covers the Boroughs of Curwensville, Grampian and Lumber City and Ferguson Township, Greenwood Township, Penn Township and Pike Township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. The district operates Curwensville Jr/Sr High School, Curwensville Elementary School...
- DuBois Area School DistrictDuBois Area School DistrictThe Dubois Area School District spans portions of two counties. It encompasses an area of approximately with a population of 32,241 In Clearfield County it covers the City of DuBois, the Boroughs of Falls Creek and Troutville and Bloom Township, Brady Township, Huston Township, Sandy Township and...
- Glendale Area School District
- Harmony Area School DistrictHarmony Area School DistrictHarmony Area School District is a public school district located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania and Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. The district is very small, serving approximately 400 students in grades K–12...
- Moshannon Valley School DistrictMoshannon Valley School DistrictThe Moshannon Valley School District is a public school district in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Houtzdale, Brisbin, Ramey, and Glen Hope plus the townships of Gulich, Jordan, Bigler, and Woodward...
- Philipsburg-Osceola School DistrictPhilipsburg-Osceola School DistrictThe Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District is a school district located in a region covering Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania and Clearfield County. The district encompasses approximately 222 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 14,228...
- Purchase Line School DistrictPurchase Line School DistrictPurchase Line School Districtis a public school district located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania and Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. It features three schools: North Elementary School, South Elementary School, and Purchase Line Jr-Sr High School. It serves a rural region, including the townships...
- West Branch Area School DistrictWest Branch Area School DistrictThe West Branch Area School District is located in Morrisdale, Pennsylvania. It was created in 1958 by the joining of Cooper Township High School and Morris Township High School. Schools in the district include West Branch Area Elementary School and West Branch Area Junior/Senior High School. Both...
External links
- http://www.clearfield.org/education/district/district.php?sectionid=1
- http://www.clearfield.org/shaw
- Clearfield Area High School link http://www.clearfield.org/education/club/club.php?sectionid=81