Northern Tioga School District
Encyclopedia
The Northern Tioga School District is a public school district in Tioga County, Pennsylvania
, spanning 335 square miles (867.6 km²) in the county's northern sector. Municipalities served include: Tioga
, Tioga Township, Jackson Township
, Lawrenceville
, Lawrence Township
, Farmington Township
, Elkland
, Elkland Township, Osceola Township, Knoxville
, Chatham Township, Deerfield Township
, Brookfield, Westfield
, and Clymer Township The district consists of three elementary schools: Westfield Elementary, Clark Wood Elementary and R.B. Walter Elementary, housing grades K-6. The high schools consist of grades 7-12 with integrated middle schools. The secondary program is housed in three high schools: Cowanesque Valley, Elkland Area and Williamson High Schools.
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
. The district is divided into three regions. The board members are elected from these regions.
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 "D-" 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.
results in: reading, writing, math and two years of science.
In 2009, the district was in the bottom 33 percentile for student academic achievement among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts.
2010 - 90%
2009 - 89%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (55 pupils)
2009 - 54%, State - 65% (57 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 54%, State - 65% (62 enrolled)
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 61% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 40%, State - 56%
2008 - 51%, State - 55%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 41% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 33%, State - 40%
2008 - 30%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 73% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (56 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 71%, State - 80% (63 pupils)
2008 - 73%, State - 78% (71 pupils)
8th Grade Math:
2010 - 71% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 69%, State - 71%
2008 - 68%, State - 70%
'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 52% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 60%, State - 55%
2008 - 45%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 83% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (49 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 70%, State - 71% (55 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 68%, State - 70% (55 pupils enrolled)
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 87% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 78%, State - 75%
2008 - 74%, State - 70%
In 2009, the school was in Warning - Did not make AYP status.
Graduation rate
2010 - 67%
2009 - 69%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 53% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (42 pupils)
2009 - 57%, State - 65% (44 pupils)
2008 - 41%, State - 65% (43 pupils)
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 36% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 44%, State - 56%
2008 - 37%, State - 55%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 19% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 25%, State - 40%
2008 - 31%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 88% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (44 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 74%, State - 80% (49 pupils)
2008 - 69%, State - 78% (48 pupils)
8th Grade Math:
2010 - 90% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 71%, State - 71%
2008 - 57%, State - 70%
'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 72% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 51%, State - 55%
2008 - 43%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 80% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (49 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 76%, State - 71% (55 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 79%, State - 70% (58 pupils enrolled)
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 53% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 84%, State - 75%
2008 - 82%, State - 70%
2010 - 91%
2009 - 82%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 50% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (71 pupils)
2009 - 47%, State - 65% (83 pupils)
2008 - 41%, State - 65% (87 pupils)
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 47% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 45%, State - 56%
2008 - 49%, State - 55%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 26% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 38%, State - 40%
2008 - 25%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 81% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (72 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 69%, State - 80% (71 pupils)
2008 - 75%, State - 78% (77 pupils)
8th Grade Math:
2010 - 80% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 69%, State - 71%
2008 - 80%, State - 70%
'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 64% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 48%, State - 55%
2008 - 46%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 68% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (64 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 64%, State - 71% (75 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 52%, State - 70% (73 pupils enrolled)
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 89% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 74%, State - 75%
2008 - 60%, State - 70%
By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.
Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in reading and math.
The district administrative costs per pupil were $634.02 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
The district reported spending $11,746 per pupil in 2008 which ranked 302nd in the state.
On May 12, 2008, the Northern Tioga School District Board of Directors adopted the 2008 - 09 proposed final budget in the amount of $30,354,042 reflecting an increase of $270,736 over the current budget.
Reserves In the 2009-10 budget proposal the district reported having $4,829,535 in unreserved funds.
The Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district in July 2009. Multiple findings were noted.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax of 0.5 percent, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. By Pennsylvania law, pension income and social security income are exempted from Pennsylvania income tax and from local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's level of wealth.
highest funding increase given among Tioga County school districts at3.23%. In Pennsylvania, the highest increase went to Kennett Consolidated School District
of Chester County
which received a 23.65% increase in basic education funding from the state. The amount each district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education in the state budget proposal each February.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.21% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $12,390,820. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $11,777,103.28. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, 1,115 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year. The district also received supplemental funding for: Title I (federal funding for low income students), for district size, a poverty supplement from the Commonwealth and more. In Pennsylvania, the highest state funding increase was 22% to Muhlenberg School District
.
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. In 2008 the district reported that 1115 pupils received a free or reduced price lunch due to low family income.
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands to one million 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 forf the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09.
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 Northern Tioga School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
2006-07 - 6.0%, Base 3.9%
2007-08 - 5.2%, Base 3.4%
2008-09 - 6.7%, Base 4.4%
2009-10 - 6.3%, Base 4.1%
2010-11 - 4.4%, Base 2.9%
2011-12 - 2.1%, Base 1.4%
In 2010, the Northern Tioga School Board applied for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index citing Maintenance of Selected Revenue Source and Pension Obligations. 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.
in Delaware County
which received $632 per approved homestead. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In 2009 the district's allocation was $142 per homestead.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of 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. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.
This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 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.
Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Tioga County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,981. Tioga County was created on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for the Tioga River. Its county seat is Wellsboro....
, spanning 335 square miles (867.6 km²) in the county's northern sector. Municipalities served include: Tioga
Tioga, Pennsylvania
Tioga is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 622 at the 2000 census. It is located north of Tioga and Hammond Lakes.-Geography:Tioga is located at ....
, Tioga Township, Jackson Township
Jackson Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Jackson Township is a township in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 2,054 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.Jackson Township is bordered by...
, Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania
Lawrenceville is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 627 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lawrenceville is located at . It is at the intersection of Pennsylvania Route 287 and Pennsylvania Route 49. The only traffic light in town can be found at this...
, Lawrence Township
Lawrence Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Lawrence Township is a township in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 1,721 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land....
, Farmington Township
Farmington Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Farmington Township is a township in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 636 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land....
, Elkland
Elkland, Pennsylvania
Elkland is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 1,786 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elkland is located at ....
, Elkland Township, Osceola Township, Knoxville
Knoxville, Pennsylvania
Knoxville is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 617 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Knoxville is located at ....
, Chatham Township, Deerfield Township
Deerfield Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania
Deerfield Township is a township in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 659 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land....
, Brookfield, Westfield
Westfield, Pennsylvania
Westfield is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 1,190 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Westfield is located at ....
, and Clymer Township The district consists of three elementary schools: Westfield Elementary, Clark Wood Elementary and R.B. Walter Elementary, housing grades K-6. The high schools consist of grades 7-12 with integrated middle schools. The secondary program is housed in three high schools: Cowanesque Valley, Elkland Area and Williamson High Schools.
Governance
Northern Tioga 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 district is divided into three regions. The board members are elected from these regions.
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 "D-" 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
Northern Tioga School District was ranked 386th out of the 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance as demonstrated in 4 years of 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...
results in: reading, writing, math and two years of science.
- 2009 - 398th
- 2008 - 383rd
- 2007 - 383rd out of 501 districts
In 2009, the district was in the bottom 33 percentile for student academic achievement among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts.
Cowanesque Valley Junior Senior High School
Graduation rate2010 - 90%
2009 - 89%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (55 pupils)
2009 - 54%, State - 65% (57 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 54%, State - 65% (62 enrolled)
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 61% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 40%, State - 56%
2008 - 51%, State - 55%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 41% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 33%, State - 40%
2008 - 30%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 73% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (56 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 71%, State - 80% (63 pupils)
2008 - 73%, State - 78% (71 pupils)
8th Grade Math:
2010 - 71% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 69%, State - 71%
2008 - 68%, State - 70%
'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 52% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 60%, State - 55%
2008 - 45%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 83% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (49 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 70%, State - 71% (55 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 68%, State - 70% (55 pupils enrolled)
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 87% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 78%, State - 75%
2008 - 74%, State - 70%
Elkland Area High School
In 2010 the school is in School Improvement I level due to drop out rate.In 2009, the school was in Warning - Did not make AYP status.
Graduation rate
2010 - 67%
2009 - 69%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 53% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (42 pupils)
2009 - 57%, State - 65% (44 pupils)
2008 - 41%, State - 65% (43 pupils)
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 36% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 44%, State - 56%
2008 - 37%, State - 55%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 19% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 25%, State - 40%
2008 - 31%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 88% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (44 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 74%, State - 80% (49 pupils)
2008 - 69%, State - 78% (48 pupils)
8th Grade Math:
2010 - 90% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 71%, State - 71%
2008 - 57%, State - 70%
'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 72% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 51%, State - 55%
2008 - 43%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 80% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (49 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 76%, State - 71% (55 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 79%, State - 70% (58 pupils enrolled)
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 53% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 84%, State - 75%
2008 - 82%, State - 70%
Williamson Senior High School
Graduation rate2010 - 91%
2009 - 82%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 50% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (71 pupils)
2009 - 47%, State - 65% (83 pupils)
2008 - 41%, State - 65% (87 pupils)
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 47% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 45%, State - 56%
2008 - 49%, State - 55%
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 26% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 38%, State - 40%
2008 - 25%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 81% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (72 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 69%, State - 80% (71 pupils)
2008 - 75%, State - 78% (77 pupils)
8th Grade Math:
2010 - 80% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 69%, State - 71%
2008 - 80%, State - 70%
'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 64% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 48%, State - 55%
2008 - 46%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 68% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (64 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 64%, State - 71% (75 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 52%, State - 70% (73 pupils enrolled)
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 89% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 74%, State - 75%
2008 - 60%, State - 70%
Graduation requirements
The Northern Tioga School District School Board has determined that 26 credits are required for graduation including: English - 4 credits, Math - 3 credits including Algebra and Geometry; Social Studies - 3 credits including American Government, Science - 3 credits including Science 9 & Biology; Physical Education - 2 credits, Health - 0.5 credit, Computer applications 1 credit, Fine or Practical Arts - 1 credit, Senior Project 1 credit that includes 40 hours community service and 7.5 credits of electives.By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.
Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in reading and math.
Elementary Schools
- Clark Wood Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/36543917/Clark-Wood-Elementary-School-Report-Card-2009-Northern-Tioga-School-District
- Russell Walter Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/36543993/Russell-Walter-Elementary-School-Academic-Achievement-Report-Card-2009-Northern-Tioga-School-District
- Westfield Area Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/36544028/Westfield-Area-Elementary-School-Report-Card-2009-Northern-Tioga-School-District
Special Education
In 2008, the district reported that 15% of its pupils received a broad variety of services for all children with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. By law, parents may make a written request for their child to be evaluated for special education or gifted education services.Budget
In 2007 the Northern Tioga School District employed 201 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $45,043 for 180 days worked. In 2009, the district employes over 200 teachers with a salary range of $40,000 to $114,000. The faculty receives an extensive benefits package which includes: health insurance, life insurance, free college courses, fees to professional organizations and a defined benefit pension.The district administrative costs per pupil were $634.02 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
The district reported spending $11,746 per pupil in 2008 which ranked 302nd in the state.
On May 12, 2008, the Northern Tioga School District Board of Directors adopted the 2008 - 09 proposed final budget in the amount of $30,354,042 reflecting an increase of $270,736 over the current budget.
Reserves In the 2009-10 budget proposal the district reported having $4,829,535 in unreserved funds.
The Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district in July 2009. Multiple findings were noted.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax of 0.5 percent, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. By Pennsylvania law, pension income and social security income are exempted from Pennsylvania income tax and from local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's level of wealth.
State Basic Education Funding
In 2010-11 the district received a 2.49% increase in state funding for a total of $12,699,883. Southern Tioga School DistrictSouthern Tioga School District
Southern Tioga School District is a system of public schools located in northern Central Pennsylvania covering parts of Tioga County, PA and Lycoming County. It encompasses 485 square miles. The district operates schools in Mansfield, PA, Liberty, Tioga County, PA, and Blossburg, PA. In 2009, the...
highest funding increase given among Tioga County school districts at3.23%. In Pennsylvania, the highest increase went 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 received a 23.65% increase in basic education funding from the state. The amount each district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education in the state budget proposal each February.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.21% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $12,390,820. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $11,777,103.28. 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...
, 1,115 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year. The district also received supplemental funding for: Title I (federal funding for low income students), for district size, a poverty supplement from the Commonwealth and more. In Pennsylvania, the highest state funding increase was 22% 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...
.
Accountability Block Grants
Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, All Day Kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math Coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students, For 2010-11 the district applied for and received $541,697 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The Northern Tioga School District used the funding to provide All Day Kindergarten to 152 pupils.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. Northern Tioga School District was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the school received $266,753 and in 2008-09 it received $136,238 for a total of $402,991.Education Assistance Grant
The state's Education Assistance Program 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 Northern Tioga School District received $54,916.Federal Stimulus grant
The district received $2,283,398 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. In 2008 the district reported that 1115 pupils received a free or reduced price lunch due to low family income.
Race to the Top Grant
Northern Tioga School District officials did not apply for the Race to the TopRace to the Top
Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competition designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education...
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands to one million 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 forf the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
Common Cents state initiative
The school board elected 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 2010 the Northern Tioga School Board set real estate taxes at 15.2591 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.- 2009-10: 14.6160 mills.
- 2008-09: 13.7600 mills.
According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09.
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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Northern Tioga School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
2006-07 - 6.0%, Base 3.9%
2007-08 - 5.2%, Base 3.4%
2008-09 - 6.7%, Base 4.4%
2009-10 - 6.3%, Base 4.1%
2010-11 - 4.4%, Base 2.9%
2011-12 - 2.1%, Base 1.4%
In 2010, the Northern Tioga School Board applied for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index citing Maintenance of Selected Revenue Source and Pension Obligations. 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 Northern Tioga School District was $133 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,559 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Pennsylvania, the highest property tax relief went to residents in 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...
in Delaware County
Delaware 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....
which received $632 per approved homestead. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In 2009 the district's allocation was $142 per homestead.
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
Enrollment in Northern Tioga School District is projected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to decline another 100 pupils to 2039 pupils by 2015. Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline. As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools will continue to rise.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. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.
This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.
Extracurriculars
The district offers an extensive program of after school clubs, arts programs and interscholastic athletics. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policy and communicated via the Athlete's Code of Conduct. Academic Eligibility for athletic activities is based on the premise that academic performance is the keystone of the future and the standard against which participation is measured. Athletes will be passing in all subjects, (60%). Grades will be checked on a weekly basis.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.