Line Mountain School District
Encyclopedia
The Line Mountain School District is a small, rural public school district serving portions of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
. The district covers an area of 154.5 square miles (400.2 km²). Municipalities within its boundaries are the borough of Herndon
and multiple townships including: Lower Augusta Township, Little Mahanoy Township, Zerbe Township, West Cameron Township, Jackson Township
, Upper Mahanoy Township, Washington Township
, Jordan Township
, and Lower Mahanoy Township. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,975. In 2009, the residents' per capita income
was $16,400, while the median family income was $41,919 a year. During the 2008-2009 academic year, 1,231 students were enrolled in the district. In 2008, the district reported employing: 110 teachers, 113 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators.
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: reading, writing, math and three years of science.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
In 2011, Line Mountain 11th graders ranked 14th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools in the CSIU 16 region for math achievement. In 2010, Line Mountain 11th graders ranked 14th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools in the CSIU 16 region for math achievement. In 2009, Line Mountain ranked 15th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools.
11th Grade Science:
College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education
study released in January 2009, 16% of the Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School 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.
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 shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
4th Grade Reading:
4th Grade Math:
4th Grade Science:
3rd Grade Reading:
3rd Grade Math:
PSSA Results
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
4th Grade Reading:
4th Grade Math:
4th Grade Science:
3rd Grade Reading:
3rd Grade Math:
Leck Kill Elementary School achieved 100% of Low Income 3rd graders on grade level in 2010 in both reading and mathematics.
PSSA Results
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
4th Grade Reading:
4th Grade Math:
4th Grade Science:
3rd Grade Reading:
3rd Grade Math:
The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.
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.
Line Mountain School District received a $723,333 supplement for special education services in 2010.
The Line Mountain School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
school districts in 2007.
In 2009, the district reported employing over 120 teachers with a starting salary of $33,600 for 180 student days/ 185 contract days and a top salary of $98,000. In addition to salary teachers receive an extensive benefits package which includes: 10 paid sick days (which accumulate), paid personal days, reimbursement for college courses, life insurance and a defined benefit pension. Teachers, with the district for more than 10 years, receive a retirement bonus of $65 per unused sick day. The school days is limited to seven hours and 30 minutes. Teachers receive a paid, duty free, 30 minute lunch and a daily planning period. Teachers receive additional pay when they are asked to work beyond the regular school day. This includes: advising clubs and sports coaching.
The district administrative costs per pupil were $723.52 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In 2007, the board approved a five contract with David Campbell as superintendent. His initial salary was $88,000 plus an extensive benefits package including life and health insurance. The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that in 2008 the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165. In 2011, the school board awarded another 5 year contract to David Campbell as Superintendent with a beginning salary of $103,000. and a top salary of $115,000 in 2017. Mr Campbell elected to freeze his salary for one year in 2011 due to the district's financial challenges.
The district administration reported that per pupil spending in 2008 was $13,243 which ranked 159th in the state' 501 school districts.
The Line Mountain Board of School Directors adopted a preliminary budget for the 2011-2012 school year of $17,830,186.
In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and the school board, including possible conflicts of interests in the actions of board members.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local occupation assessment tax 430%, a 1% earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax - 0.50%, per capita tax (678) $5, per capita tax (Act 511) $5, 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. 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.
reports that 442 pupils received a federal free and reduced lunch, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level
.
For the 2010-11 school year, the Line Mountain School District received a 4.83% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $6,333,727 payment. Milton Area School District
received 6.46% increase which was the highest increase in BEF in Northumberland County. Kennett Consolidated School District
in Chester County
received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.23% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $6,041,861. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $5,909,969.00. Among Northumberland County school districts, Line Mountain School District received the lowest BEF increase from the state for 2009. Mount Carmel Area School District
received the highest with a 6.23% increase. Fifteen Pennsylvania school districts were given an increase greater than 10%. Hazleton Area School District
received a 13.36% increase. The highest increase went to Muhlenberg School District
of Berks County which received a 22.31% increase, in state funding, for the 2009-10 school year.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, 371 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This was in addition to all regular, annual state and federal funding.
federal grant. When approved for the grant, the district would have received hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the written consent of the school board, the school administration and the teachers' union. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state RTTT application judging will occur in June 2010.
Line Mountain School Board applied for 5.2324 mills in exceptions to referendum under Act 1 of 2006. They were approved for 2.2974 mills of increase beyond the school district's Act 1 index limit for 2010. 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. Pennsylvania school 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. The school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a state board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.
Property tax rates in 2010-11 are 65.0000 mills. In 2009-2010 the rate was set by the school board at 64.4000 mills. In 2008-09 the millage rate was set at 58.3500 mills
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 Line Mountain School District 2006-2007 through 2012-2013.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Line Mountain School Board again applied for 4 exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. These were Special Education costs, School Construction Academic Project, School Construction Grandfathered Debt and teacher pension costs. Each year the Line Mountain School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
.
According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly repealed most of the Act 1 tax increase exceptions leaving only special education costs, pension costs and prior voter approved (ballot referendum) debt for construction. The cost of construction projects in the future will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum. Districts can no longer raise property taxes to cover increasing health insurance costs for employees.
For the 2010-11 budget year, the Line Mountain School Board sought 4 exceptions including: construction costs, health care benefits, pension costs, and maintenance of local tax revenue. 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.
of Delaware County which got $632 in 2010 and in 2009.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, 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%).
The state conducted a study to examine the gains to be made through the consolidation of the Line Mountain School District into neighboring Millersburg Area School District
. The study noted that consolidation could significantly decrease school administrative costs for the communities while significantly improving offerings to students. In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district, would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion dollars without forcing the consolidation of any schools. The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration.
More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater). 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 continues to experience a steady exodus of young people and a loss of population that has resulted in the loss of seats in the US Congress.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.
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.
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had...
. The district covers an area of 154.5 square miles (400.2 km²). Municipalities within its boundaries are the borough of Herndon
Herndon, Pennsylvania
Herndon, formerly Trevorton Junction, is a borough in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. Herndon was first founded by Robert A. Parrish in 1840. The town was later named for Naval commander William Lewis Herndon, who died in 1857 while trying to rescue passengers from his sinking...
and multiple townships including: Lower Augusta Township, Little Mahanoy Township, Zerbe Township, West Cameron Township, Jackson Township
Jackson Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Jackson Township is a township in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 928 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...
, Upper Mahanoy Township, Washington Township
Washington Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Washington Township is a township in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 660 at the 2000 census.Himmel's Church Covered Bridge is located within the township.-Geography:...
, Jordan Township
Jordan Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
Jordan Township is a township in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 761 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, and Lower Mahanoy Township. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,975. In 2009, the residents' per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $16,400, while the median family income was $41,919 a year. During the 2008-2009 academic year, 1,231 students were enrolled in the district. In 2008, the district reported employing: 110 teachers, 113 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators.
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 "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.
Schools
- Dalmatia Elementary
- Leck Kill Elementary
- Trevorton Elementary
- Line Mountain Jr./Sr. High SchoolLine Mountain Jr./Sr. High SchoolThe Line Mountain Jr./Sr. High School is located in Mandata, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Line Mountain's school mascot is the Eagle and their colors are Royal Blue and Gold with a trim of Red...
Academic achievement
In 2011, Line Mountain School District was ranked 277th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance based on five years of 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: reading, writing, math and three years of science.
- 2010 - 243rd
- 2009 - 260th
- 2008 - 330th
- 2007 - 391st out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts.
Graduation rate
In 2011, the graduation rate was reported as 93%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Line Mountain School District's rate was 76% for 2010.According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
- 2010 - 87%
- 2009 - 94%
- 2008 - 91%
- 2007 - 91%
- 2006 - 89%
11th Grade
PSSA Results11th Grade Reading
- 2011 - 65.4% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 69% of 11th graders on grade level.
- 2010 - 64%, State - 67%
- 2009 - 58%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 63%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 65%, State - 65%
- 2006 - 60%, State - 65%
- 2005 - 62%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
In 2011, Line Mountain 11th graders ranked 14th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools in the CSIU 16 region for math achievement. In 2010, Line Mountain 11th graders ranked 14th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools in the CSIU 16 region for math achievement. In 2009, Line Mountain ranked 15th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools.
- 2011 - 56.1% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 54.7%, State - 59%
- 2009 - 46%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 49%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 46%, State - 53%
- 2006 - 35%, State - 52%
- 2005 - 33%, State - 51%
11th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 44% with 49% of Boys and 39% of Girls on grade level. In Pennsylvania 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 59%, State - 39%
- 2009 - 34%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 40%, State - 39%
College remediation: According to a 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...
study released in January 2009, 16% of the Line Mountain Junior-Senior High School 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.
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.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 shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
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. 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 $10,645 for the program.Eighth Grade
8th Grade Reading:- 2011 - 87.9% on grade level. State - 81.8%
- 2010 - 80%, State - 81%
- 2009 - 80%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 81%, State - 78%
- 2007 - 70%, State - 75%
- 2006 - 73%, State - 70%
- 2005 - 54%, State - 64%
8th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 76.5% on grade level. State - 76.9%
- 2010 - 83%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 85%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 64%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 65%, State - 67.9%
- 2006 - 53%, State - 62%
- 2005 - 48%, State - 62%
8th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 65.9% on grade level. State - 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level. The 8th grade ranked 12th out of 18 Central PA Schools for Science academic achievement in 2011.
- 2010 - 65%, State - 57%. The 8th grade ranked 10th out of 18 Central PA Schools for Science academic achievement in 2010.
- 2009 - 65%, State - 57%
- 2009 - 69%, State - 54%
- 2008 - 59%, State - 52%
Seventh Grade
7th Grade Reading:- 2011 - 83.4% on grade level. State - 76%
- 2010 - 60%, State - 73%
- 2009 - 74%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 67%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 61%, State - 66%
7th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 71.6% on grade level. State - 78.6%
- 2010 - 71%, State - 77%
- 2009 - 79%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 76%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 68%, State - 67%
Dalmatia Elementary School
In 2010, all 5th and 6th graders were consolidated to Trevoton Elementary School. In 2009 and 2010 the school achieved AYP status. The school had a 95% attendance rate in 2009 and 2010.6th Grade Reading:
- 2009 - 72%, State - 67%
- 2008 - 86%, State - 67%
- 2007 - 68%, State - 63%
6th Grade Math:
- 2009 - 83% on grade level. State - 78%
- 2008 - 86%, State - 72%
- 2007 - 71%, State - 69%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2009 - 60% on grade level. State - 64%
- 2008 - 64%, State - 61%
5th Grade Math:
- 2009 - 79% on grade level. State - 73%
- 2008 - 74%, State - 73%
4th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 83% on grade level. State - 73.3%
- 2010 - 78%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 86%, State - 72%
- 2008 - 78%, State - 70%
4th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 91.7% on grade level. State - 85.3%
- 2010 - 94%, State - 84.5%
- 2009 - 97%, State - 81%
- 2008 - 88%, State - 79%
4th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 95.9% on grade level. State - 82.9%
- 2010 - 92%, State - 81%
- 2009 - 89%, State - 83%
- 2008 - 95%, State - 81%
3rd Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 93.8% on grade level. State - 77.2%
- 2010 - 88%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 81%, State - 77%
- 2008 - 89%, State - 77%
3rd Grade Math:
- 2011 - 100% on grade level. State - 83.5%
- 2010 - 94%, State - 84%
- 2009 - 90%, State - 81%
- 2008 - 95%, State - 80%
Leck Kill Elementary School
In 2010, all 5th and 6th graders in the district were consolidated to Trevoton Elementary School. The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2009.PSSA Results
6th Grade Reading:
- 2009 - 88% on grade level. State - 67% of 6th graders were on grade level.
- 2008 - 92%, State - 67%
- 2007 - 82%, State - 63%
6th Grade Math:
- 2009 - 94% on grade level. State - 78%
- 2008 - 100%, State - 72%
- 2007 - 94%, State - 69%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2009 - 83% on grade level. State - 64%
- 2008 - 82%, State - 61%
5th Grade Math:
- 2009 - 94% on grade level. State - 73%
- 2008 - 100%, State - 73%
4th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 88.3% on grade level. State - 73.3%
- 2010 - 80%, State - 72%
- 2009 - 94%, State - 72%
- 2008 - 87%, State - 70%
4th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 94.2% on grade level. State - 85.3%
- 2010 - 100%, State - 84%
- 2009 - 100%, State - 81%
- 2008 - 93%, State - 79%
4th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 88.3% on grade level. State - 82.9%
- 2010 - 93%. State - 81%
- 2009 - 100%. State - 83%
- 2008 - 93%, State - 81%
3rd Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 82.3% on grade level. State - 77.2%
- 2010 - 88%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 82%, State - 77%
- 2008 - 100%, State - 77%
3rd Grade Math:
- 2011 - 88.3% on grade level. State - 83.5%
- 2010 - 100% on grade level. State - 84%
- 2009 - 82%, State - 81%
- 2008 - 100%, State - 80%
Leck Kill Elementary School achieved 100% of Low Income 3rd graders on grade level in 2010 in both reading and mathematics.
Trevorton Elementary
In 2009 and 2010, the school achieved the AYP status. The attendance rate was 95% in both 2009 and 2010.PSSA Results
6th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 74.4% on grade level. State - 69.9% of 6th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 76%, State - 68%
- 2009 - 60%, State - 67%
- 2008 - 57%, State - 67%
- 2007 - 74%, State - 63%
6th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 95% on grade level. State - 78.8% of 6th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 88%, State - 78%
- 2009 - 80%, State - 78%
- 2008 - 70%, State - 72%
- 2007 - 96%, State - 69%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 85.6% on grade level. State - 67.3%
- 2010 - 61%, State - 64%
- 2009 - 61%, State - 64%
- 2008 - 46%, State - 61%
5th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 85.3% on grade level. State - 76.3%
- 2010 - 93%, State - 73%
- 2009 - 61%, State - 73%
- 2008 - 58%, State - 73%
4th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 84% on grade level. State - 72%
- 2009 - 68%, State - 72%
- 2008 - 75%, State - 70%
4th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 100% on grade level. State - 85.3%
- 2010 - 84%, State - 81%
- 2009 - 94%, State - 81%
- 2008 - 86%, State - 79%
4th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 100%. State - 82.9%
- 2010 - 90%. State - 81%
- 2009 - 94%. State - 83%
- 2008 - 96%, State - 81%
3rd Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 83.4% on grade level. State - 77.2%
- 2010 - 92%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 85%, State - 77%
- 2008 - 69%, State - 77%
3rd Grade Math:
- 2011 - 86.6% on grade level. State - 83.5%
- 2010 - 96%, State - 84%
- 2009 - 82%, State - 81%
- 2008 - 86%, State - 80%
Preschool and Head Start
Line Mountain offers residents two different, taxpayer funded preschools. Both programs serve breakfast and lunch to the students. They are open to children ages 3–5 inclusive. The programs are held daily when school is open. Pre-K Counts is a state funded preschool program, while Head Start is a federal and state funded program for low income families.Special Education
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 171 pupils or 13.9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.
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.
Line Mountain School District received a $723,333 supplement for special education services in 2010.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 44 or 3.51% 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.Bullying policy
The Line Mountain School District administration reported there was 1 incident of bullying in the district in 2009. And one in 2011.The Line Mountain School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
Budget
In 2007, the district employed 91 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $47,418 for 185 days worked. The district's average teacher salary was the second highest of all the Northumberland CountyNorthumberland County
Northumberland County is the name of several counties in Northern America:* in the United States** Northumberland County, Pennsylvania** Northumberland County, Virginia* in Canada** Northumberland County, New Brunswick** Northumberland County, Ontario...
school districts in 2007.
In 2009, the district reported employing over 120 teachers with a starting salary of $33,600 for 180 student days/ 185 contract days and a top salary of $98,000. In addition to salary teachers receive an extensive benefits package which includes: 10 paid sick days (which accumulate), paid personal days, reimbursement for college courses, life insurance and a defined benefit pension. Teachers, with the district for more than 10 years, receive a retirement bonus of $65 per unused sick day. The school days is limited to seven hours and 30 minutes. Teachers receive a paid, duty free, 30 minute lunch and a daily planning period. Teachers receive additional pay when they are asked to work beyond the regular school day. This includes: advising clubs and sports coaching.
The district administrative costs per pupil were $723.52 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In 2007, the board approved a five contract with David Campbell as superintendent. His initial salary was $88,000 plus an extensive benefits package including life and health insurance. The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that in 2008 the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165. In 2011, the school board awarded another 5 year contract to David Campbell as Superintendent with a beginning salary of $103,000. and a top salary of $115,000 in 2017. Mr Campbell elected to freeze his salary for one year in 2011 due to the district's financial challenges.
The district administration reported that per pupil spending in 2008 was $13,243 which ranked 159th in the state' 501 school districts.
The Line Mountain Board of School Directors adopted a preliminary budget for the 2011-2012 school year of $17,830,186.
In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and the school board, including possible conflicts of interests in the actions of board members.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local occupation assessment tax 430%, a 1% earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax - 0.50%, per capita tax (678) $5, per capita tax (Act 511) $5, 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. 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
In 2011-12, the School District will receive $5,909,962 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $78,245 in Accountability Block Grant funding. 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...
reports that 442 pupils received a federal free and reduced lunch, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level
Poverty in the United States
Poverty is defined as the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data released Tuesday September 13th, 2011, the nation's poverty rate rose to 15.1% in 2010, up from 14.3% in 2009 and to its highest level...
.
For the 2010-11 school year, the Line Mountain School District received a 4.83% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $6,333,727 payment. Milton Area School District
Milton Area School District
The Milton Area School District is a small, rural public school district headquartered in Milton, Pennsylvania. The district is located in Northumberland and Union counties. Milton Area School District encompasses approximately 85 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a...
received 6.46% increase which was the highest increase in BEF in Northumberland County. Kennett Consolidated School District
Kennett Consolidated School District
The Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.23% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $6,041,861. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $5,909,969.00. Among Northumberland County school districts, Line Mountain School District received the lowest BEF increase from the state for 2009. Mount Carmel Area School District
Mount Carmel Area School District
Mount Carmel Area School District is a small, suburban, public school district in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It serves Mount Carmel, Kulpmont, Marion Heights, and...
received the highest with a 6.23% increase. Fifteen Pennsylvania school districts were given an increase greater than 10%. Hazleton Area School District
Hazleton Area School District
The Hazleton Area School District is a public school district in Pennsylvania, stretching over portions of Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Carbon Counties...
received a 13.36% increase. The highest 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 a 22.31% increase, in state funding, for the 2009-10 school year.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, 371 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.
Accountability Block Grants
Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, All Day Kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010-11 the Line Mountain School District applied for and received $222,377, in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide additional instruction time to develop new courses and to provide full day kindergarten.Education Assistance Grant
The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the Line Mountain School District received $30,564.Classrooms for the Future grant
The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Line Mountain School District was denied for funding, by the PDE, in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district did not apply for the grant. For the 2008-09 school year, the district received $82,277. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.Environmental Education Grant
The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2010, Line Mountain School District did not apply. It also did not apply in 2011.Federal Stimulus Grant
Line Mountain School District received an extra $1,040,625 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 was in addition to all regular, annual state and federal funding.
Race to the Top grant
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the TopRace to the Top
Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competition designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education...
federal grant. When approved for the grant, the district would have received hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the written consent of the school board, the school administration and the teachers' union. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state RTTT application judging will occur in June 2010.
Common Cents state initiative
The Line Mountain School Board did 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
Line Mountain School Board set property taxes for 2010 10.64 mills.Line Mountain School Board applied for 5.2324 mills in exceptions to referendum under Act 1 of 2006. They were approved for 2.2974 mills of increase beyond the school district's Act 1 index limit for 2010. 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. Pennsylvania school 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. The school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a state board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.
Property tax rates in 2010-11 are 65.0000 mills. In 2009-2010 the rate was set by the school board at 64.4000 mills. In 2008-09 the millage rate was set at 58.3500 mills
Act 1 Index
The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2010-2011 school year is 2.9 percent, but 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 Line Mountain School District 2006-2007 through 2012-2013.
- 2006-07 - 5.3%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.6%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 6.0%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.6%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 4.0%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 1.9%, Base 1.4%
- 2012-13 - 2.4%, Base 2.2%
For the 2011-12 school year, the Line Mountain School Board again applied for 4 exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. These were Special Education costs, School Construction Academic Project, School Construction Grandfathered Debt and teacher pension costs. Each year the Line Mountain 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...
.
According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly repealed most of the Act 1 tax increase exceptions leaving only special education costs, pension costs and prior voter approved (ballot referendum) debt for construction. The cost of construction projects in the future will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum. Districts can no longer raise property taxes to cover increasing health insurance costs for employees.
For the 2010-11 budget year, the Line Mountain School Board sought 4 exceptions including: construction costs, health care benefits, pension costs, and maintenance of local tax revenue. 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 property tax relief is $131 for 2,613 Line Mountain School District households and farms. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Line Mountain School District was $146 per approved permanent primary residence. This was among the lowest amounts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the district, 2349 property owners applied for the tax relief. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. The highest property tax relief went to the property owners of the Chester Upland School DistrictChester Upland School District
The Chester Upland School District is a public school district serving the City of Chester, the Borough of Upland and Chester Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania...
of Delaware County which got $632 in 2010 and in 2009.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, 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 in the district is 1231 in 2010. This enrollment is among the lowest 10% in the Commonwealth. A Standard and Poors 2007 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.The state conducted a study to examine the gains to be made through the consolidation of the Line Mountain School District into neighboring Millersburg Area School District
Millersburg Area School District
The Millersburg School District is a small, rural, public school district located in the northwestern portion of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses the borough of Millersburg and the surrounding Township of Upper Paxton. The district features one elementary school and one junior/senior...
. The study noted that consolidation could significantly decrease school administrative costs for the communities while significantly improving offerings to students. In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district, would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion dollars without forcing the consolidation of any schools. The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration.
More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater). 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 continues to experience a steady exodus of young people and a loss of population that has resulted in the loss of seats in the US Congress.
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.
Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The Line Mountain School Board determines eligibility policies to participate in these programs. This includes abiding by the Line Mountain Athletic Department Code of Conduct.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.