Selinsgrove Area School District
Encyclopedia
Selinsgrove Area School District is a school district centered in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
. Enrollment has declined to approximately 2700 students clustered on a campus located in Selinsgrove borough. The Pennsylvania Department of Education projects a continued decline in enrollment to 2500 in 2010. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Selinsgrove Area School District had 784 students receiving free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Selinsgrove Area School Districts had 71 students who were identified as English language learners in 2008. The district serves eastern Snyder County. It is headed by a superintendent and a nine member board of directors who are elected at large and serve a 4 year term.
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 "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.
In 2009, the school board adopted a policy to post: all contract, spending and financial reports online. The board followed the policy for 5 months and stopped in August 2009.
In May 2011, the Board voted to realign the schools moving grade 6 to the Intermediate School and shifting the management team.
s results in: reading, writing, math and three years of science.
"The Daily Item" reported in 2007, Selinsgrove Area School District reached adequate yearly progress standards for the first time since the progress analysis began during the 2002-03 school year.
Former AYP graduation rate:
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 24% of Selinsgrove Area 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.
Also essential to graduation is the Pennsylvania state-mandated "Graduation Project." This four-year project often takes on many forms, including entrepreneurship and community service. It is paired with a final paper and presentation to a faculty panel. The panel then decides whether the project is below average, average, or commendable. Students must achieve at least an "average" score on all parts of the project in order to graduate.
Seniors and Juniors may earn physical education credits, for graduation, in three ways: scheduling physical education classes in the regular schedule, taking Phys. Ed. by contract, and/or earning a Phys. Ed. by participating in a school sponsored sport. These alternatives are managed by the guidance office. Contract Phys. Ed. students are required to complete a one page written report and complete 30 hours of a physical activity. In order for students to take Phys. Ed. by contract or sport participation he or she must meet requirements and prerequisites by the high school principal.
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.
program. This state funded 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. Students may attend Susquehanna University
tuition free, Bloomsburg University at a 75% discount and Central Pennsylvania College at a 75% discount.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $4,384 for its Dual Enrollment program.
services. In 2008-09 the district had 320 students or 11.7% of its pupils were identified for special education services.
In order to comply with state and federal laws, the school 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 Special Education administration. 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 Assistant to Superintendent for Special Education
The district operates a Transitional Apartment Classroom for secondary special education students using a local property to provide direct hands on experiences in activities of daily living and independent living skills.
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.
Selinsgrove Area School District received a $1,421,270 supplement for special education services in 2010.
For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.
In 2009, Selinsgrove Area School District was identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
for Least Restrictive Environment monitoring. One hundred ninety six schools districts were selected in 2008-09. The district received an alert letter from the PDE - Bureau of Special Education. School districts were placed in one of three categories: Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3. The district was placed in Tier 3 due to students spending more than 60% of the school day, outside of regular education. The monitoring is a product of the PDE addressing its voluntary settlement in Gaskin V. Pennsylvania which ordered that special education students spend most of their school day (80%) in regular education classrooms with with supplementary aids and services to assist. In 2010, the district was assigned to the Tier 3 monitoring list, due to students spending less than 40% of their day in a regular education classroom. The district received a letter of “Warning” letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $59,654 for 184 days worked. In 2007 the average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension
, health insurance
, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, paid sick days, life insurance, retirement bonus and many other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year Pennsylvania public school educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2009, the district reported that 73 teacher's salaries were $73,000 or more. The maximum teacher salary was reported at $133,227.
Selinsgrove administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $597.63 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In May 2008, the school board renewed the five year employment contract of Dr. Fredrick Johnson, superintendent, which included a base salary of $130,569.98 and an extensive benefits package. His salary was increased to $147,350 by January 2010. In May 2010, he unexpectedly resigned effective June 30, 2010.
SASD employes approximately 350 people in 2007. Two hundred of the employees are teachers. Seventy percent of spending is allocated to employee costs. The district reports spending $9,800 per pupil in 2007. Jeffrey Hummel, district business manager, cites costs for building projects coupled with salaries, transportation costs and increased charges for energy, as necessitating continued substantial property tax increases.
Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $1,630,000.00 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,898,597.00.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax of 1.6% on only earned income, a property tax estimated revenue in 2010-11 of $13, 214, 282, a real estate transfer tax - 1%, 2 per capita taxes of $5 each, various grants, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. In Pennsylvania, pension income and social security income are exempt from Pennsylvania personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of income.
In the 2010-2011 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.32% increase in Basic Education funding to Selinsgrove Area School District for a total of $7,737,785. This was the highest increase in Snyder County in Basic Education Funding from the state. Among the 500 school districts in the commonwealth, 150 received a base 2% increase, while Kennett Consolidated School District
in Chester County
received a 23.65% increase for 2010. Fifteen school district received an increase of state basic education funding that was greater than 10%.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.53% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $7,347,199. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $6,962,089.42. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more. Ninety school district in the Commonwealth received the base 2% funding increase. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District
in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. 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.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, 784 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 state and federal funding. This funding was for 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved 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 Race to the Top application judging will occur in June 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. It has been several decades since a property tax reassessment was conducted in Snyder County. Many large local businesses have been successful in challenging their property tax assessment subsequently lowering their property taxes including: Walmart, KMart, Monroe Marketplace - Icon Reality, LLC, Market Street Manor Associates, Omega Financial Corporation, Middleburg Yarn and Sunbury New Enterprises, Sunbury Generation in Shamokin Dam and Selinsgrove Elderly Housing Association.
In 2007, the school board adopted Resolution No. 2007-01 exempting from real property taxation portions of the assessed valuation of improvements and new construction at Sunbury Generation property in Hummels Wharf and Shamokin Dam. The agreement is for 2007 through 2017. Additionally, in 2009 the board awarded a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone tax exempt status to the Pauling Station Business Park on Route 522 in Penn Township
. This exempts the property from all taxation including property and local earned income tax for business owners that locate there.
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 Selinsgrove Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.
In Spring 2011, the Selinsgrove Area School Board used a pension costs exception to exceed the district's Act 1 index exception. Under Act 1 of 2006, school districts had the option of adopting either 1) a resolution by January 27 certifying they would not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget by February 16. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. For 2011-2012, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. In the Spring of 2011, 228 Pennsylvania public school district requested at least one exception to exceed their Act 1 Index limit.
The Selinsgrove Area School Board did not use exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11. In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This rebate can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
In 2005 Selinsgrove Area High School was ranked 306th out of 601 Pennsylvania high schools on the annual state testing. The 3rd grade, located at the Intermediate school, ranked 1215th out of 1779 Pennsylvania third grades.
In December 2007, the school board adopted a new six year Strategic Plan that strives for the academic success of each student. Alignment of curriculum to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards is incomplete for several core subjects. This negatively impacts student outcomes as measured by the PSSAs.
In January 2009, research was presented to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. The research examined course enrollment trends at the state’s 14 community colleges and the 14 institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The data, provided by PASSHE and the community colleges, showed that during the 2007-08 school year 24.7% of Selinsgrove Area High School graduates required costly remediation in math and/or reading before they could take regular college courses. This was the second highest remediation rate among the IU16 region's high schools.
Several groups have approached the school board wanting to add more costly athletic programs including: swimming, boys and girls lacrosse and girls middle school softball. Additionally, the music program continues to push for a new, state of the art performance center.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Selinsgrove is a borough in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1787 by Captain Anthony Selin, who fought with Washington in the Revolutionary War....
. Enrollment has declined to approximately 2700 students clustered on a campus located in Selinsgrove borough. The Pennsylvania Department of Education projects a continued decline in enrollment to 2500 in 2010. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Selinsgrove Area School District had 784 students receiving free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Selinsgrove Area School Districts had 71 students who were identified as English language learners in 2008. The district serves eastern Snyder County. It is headed by a superintendent and a nine member board of directors who are elected at large and serve a 4 year term.
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 "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.
In 2009, the school board adopted a policy to post: all contract, spending and financial reports online. The board followed the policy for 5 months and stopped in August 2009.
Schools
- Selinsgrove Area High SchoolSelinsgrove Area High SchoolSelinsgrove Area High School is a public school located in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the Selinsgrove Area School District. The school's enrollment has declined to less than 850 students in grades nine through twelve. Further decline in enrollment is anticipated...
has under 900 students in grades 9-12.The school uses a block scheduling program. - Selinsgrove Area Middle School serves students in grades 7 and 8 using a team teaching approach. The school's test scores have been consistently higher than the region and the state scores.
- Selinsgrove Area Intermediate SchoolSelinsgrove Area Intermediate SchoolSelinsgrove Area Intermediate School is a midsized, suburban public school located in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. It is a part of the Selinsgrove Area School District. In June 2011, the school board voted to realign the schools to make more effective use of school space and to...
serves students grades 3-6. Concern was voiced about the lagging reading and math scores at this school in 2006. The scores were below both state and regional averages for several years. In 2007, the Intermediate School students' math and reading scores rose above the State and region's averages. - Selinsgrove Area Elementary School serves K-2.
- Jackson-Penn Elementary School, located in Penn Township, was closed in December 2009. It had served as the district's Kindergarten Center for two years.
In May 2011, the Board voted to realign the schools moving grade 6 to the Intermediate School and shifting the management team.
Academic achievement
Selinsgrove Area School District was ranked 90th out of the 498 ranked Pennsylvania School Districts in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated in five 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...
s results in: reading, writing, math and three years of science.
- 2010 - 110th
- 2009 - 148th
- 2008 - 235th
- 2007 - 235th out of 501 public school districts in the state.
"The Daily Item" reported in 2007, Selinsgrove Area School District reached adequate yearly progress standards for the first time since the progress analysis began during the 2002-03 school year.
Graduation Rate
In 2011, the graduation rate was 97%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Selinsgrove Area High School's rate was 86% for 2010.Former AYP graduation rate:
- 2006: 94.09%
- 2007: 96.62%
- 2008: 91.6%
- 2009: 92%
- 2010: 95%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 24% of Selinsgrove Area High School graduates required remediation in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
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
Graduation requirements are set by the school board in policy and are enumerated in the district's strategic plan. In 2009 the School Board determined that students must earn 28 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Math 4 credits (3 credits when proficient or better on 11th grade Math PSSA), Science 3 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Health and physical education 2.5 credits, Graduation project 0.5 credit,Child development 0.33 credit, Technology 1 credit, Personal Finance .33 credit, Career Awareness 0.66 credit and Electives credits.Also essential to graduation is the Pennsylvania state-mandated "Graduation Project." This four-year project often takes on many forms, including entrepreneurship and community service. It is paired with a final paper and presentation to a faculty panel. The panel then decides whether the project is below average, average, or commendable. Students must achieve at least an "average" score on all parts of the project in order to graduate.
Seniors and Juniors may earn physical education credits, for graduation, in three ways: scheduling physical education classes in the regular schedule, taking Phys. Ed. by contract, and/or earning a Phys. Ed. by participating in a school sponsored sport. These alternatives are managed by the guidance office. Contract Phys. Ed. students are required to complete a one page written report and complete 30 hours of a physical activity. In order for students to take Phys. Ed. by contract or sport participation he or she must meet requirements and prerequisites by the high school principal.
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 school district offers a Dual EnrollmentDual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
program. This state funded 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. Students may attend Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University is a liberal arts college in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, United States, north of the state capital, Harrisburg.-Academics:...
tuition free, Bloomsburg University at a 75% discount and Central Pennsylvania College at a 75% discount.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $4,384 for its Dual Enrollment program.
Special Education
In December 2010, the district administration reported that 289 pupils or 10.6% of the district's pupils received Special EducationSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
services. In 2008-09 the district had 320 students or 11.7% of its pupils were identified for special education services.
In order to comply with state and federal laws, the school 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 Special Education administration. 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 Assistant to Superintendent for Special Education
The district operates a Transitional Apartment Classroom for secondary special education students using a local property to provide direct hands on experiences in activities of daily living and independent living skills.
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.
Selinsgrove Area School District received a $1,421,270 supplement for special education services in 2010.
For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.
In 2009, Selinsgrove Area School District was identified 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...
for Least Restrictive Environment monitoring. One hundred ninety six schools districts were selected in 2008-09. The district received an alert letter from the PDE - Bureau of Special Education. School districts were placed in one of three categories: Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3. The district was placed in Tier 3 due to students spending more than 60% of the school day, outside of regular education. The monitoring is a product of the PDE addressing its voluntary settlement in Gaskin V. Pennsylvania which ordered that special education students spend most of their school day (80%) in regular education classrooms with with supplementary aids and services to assist. In 2010, the district was assigned to the Tier 3 monitoring list, due to students spending less than 40% of their day in a regular education classroom. The district received a letter of “Warning” letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 61 or 2.20% 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 must also be considered for eligibility.Budget
In May 2011, the district administrators agreed to a one year pay freeze as did the staff. Most of the district's 213 teachers will also not receive the scheduled 2.5% raise, although they will still receive step raises and longevity based raises. It was reported that these salary freezes mean the district will save over $750,000 in the 2011-12 budget. Other cuts were made in the teacher's five year contract including eliminating several district continuing education programs and summer teacher pay for work. The district will also work a 4 day week for the summer months. The board also eliminated the positions of 8 retiring employees.In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $59,654 for 184 days worked. In 2007 the average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
, health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, paid sick days, life insurance, retirement bonus and many other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year Pennsylvania public school educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2009, the district reported that 73 teacher's salaries were $73,000 or more. The maximum teacher salary was reported at $133,227.
Selinsgrove administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $597.63 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In May 2008, the school board renewed the five year employment contract of Dr. Fredrick Johnson, superintendent, which included a base salary of $130,569.98 and an extensive benefits package. His salary was increased to $147,350 by January 2010. In May 2010, he unexpectedly resigned effective June 30, 2010.
SASD employes approximately 350 people in 2007. Two hundred of the employees are teachers. Seventy percent of spending is allocated to employee costs. The district reports spending $9,800 per pupil in 2007. Jeffrey Hummel, district business manager, cites costs for building projects coupled with salaries, transportation costs and increased charges for energy, as necessitating continued substantial property tax increases.
Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $1,630,000.00 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,898,597.00.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax of 1.6% on only earned income, a property tax estimated revenue in 2010-11 of $13, 214, 282, a real estate transfer tax - 1%, 2 per capita taxes of $5 each, various grants, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. In Pennsylvania, pension income and social security income are exempt from Pennsylvania personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of income.
State basic education funding
In 2011-12, the district will receive $7,075,134 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $174,900 in Accountability Block Grant funding.In the 2010-2011 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.32% increase in Basic Education funding to Selinsgrove Area School District for a total of $7,737,785. This was the highest increase in Snyder County in Basic Education Funding from the state. Among the 500 school districts in the commonwealth, 150 received a base 2% increase, while 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 a 23.65% increase for 2010. Fifteen school district received an increase of state basic education funding that was greater than 10%.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.53% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $7,347,199. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $6,962,089.42. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more. Ninety school district in the Commonwealth received the base 2% funding increase. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, 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...
in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. 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.
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...
, 784 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 district applied for and received $474,723 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full day kindergarten.- 2009-10 - $474,723 for Full Day Kindergarten for 200 pupils.
- 2008-09 - $474,723 for Full Day Kindergarten and to fund a math coach position at the hIgh school.
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, Selinsgrove Area School District was awarded $3400 for fifth grade students to participate in an outdoor educational camp.Federal Stimulus Grant
The district received an extra $1,590,417 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 state and federal funding. This funding was for 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.
Safe Routes to School Grant
The district was awarded a Safe Routes to School grant in 2009. A multiyear process calls for a group to decide how the funds will be used.Race to the Top grant
Selinsgrove Area 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 in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved 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 Race to the Top application judging will occur in June 2010.
Common Cents state initiative
The Selinsgrove Area School Board rejected twice participating 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. The review identified potential annual savings of over $78,000 over a variety of cost centers including: food services, transportation, purchasing and utility costs. Opportunities for savings in food services and utility costs appeared particularly promising for the district.Real estate taxes
Property tax rates were increased to 59.1800 mills for 2011-12. The school board used an exemption (pension obligations) to exceed the Act 1 index limit. According to the school board president, Paul Spiegel, there will be no employee furloughs, class sizes will remain as they are and there will no cuts of extra curricular programs or athletics.- 2010-11 were set at 57.1800 mills.
- 2009-2010 - 55.09 mills.
- 2008-2009 - 52.8400 mills.
- 2007-2008 - 50.0400 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. It has been several decades since a property tax reassessment was conducted in Snyder County. Many large local businesses have been successful in challenging their property tax assessment subsequently lowering their property taxes including: Walmart, KMart, Monroe Marketplace - Icon Reality, LLC, Market Street Manor Associates, Omega Financial Corporation, Middleburg Yarn and Sunbury New Enterprises, Sunbury Generation in Shamokin Dam and Selinsgrove Elderly Housing Association.
In 2007, the school board adopted Resolution No. 2007-01 exempting from real property taxation portions of the assessed valuation of improvements and new construction at Sunbury Generation property in Hummels Wharf and Shamokin Dam. The agreement is for 2007 through 2017. Additionally, in 2009 the board awarded a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone tax exempt status to the Pauling Station Business Park on Route 522 in Penn Township
Penn Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania
Penn Township is a township in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,781 at the 2000 census.Penn Township is home to the Selinsgrove Speedway, a 1/2-mile high-banked oval dirt track.-Geography:...
. This exempts the property from all taxation including property and local earned income tax for business owners that locate there.
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 2011-20112 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 Selinsgrove Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.
- 2006-07 - 4.9%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.3%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 5.6%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.2%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 3.8%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 1.8%, Base 1.4%
- 2012-13 - 2.2%, Base 1.7%
In Spring 2011, the Selinsgrove Area School Board used a pension costs exception to exceed the district's Act 1 index exception. Under Act 1 of 2006, school districts had the option of adopting either 1) a resolution by January 27 certifying they would not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget by February 16. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. For 2011-2012, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. In the Spring of 2011, 228 Pennsylvania public school district requested at least one exception to exceed their Act 1 Index limit.
The Selinsgrove Area School Board did not use exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11. In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.
Property tax relief
In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Selinsgrove Area School District was $144 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 4,611 property owners applied for the tax relief. In 2008 it was $134 for 5,146 approved properties. 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 Snyder County, 54% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This rebate can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
Building Projects
Primary grades are provided at Selinsgrove Elementary School. The district began providing All Day Kindergarten in the 2007-2008 school year in an effort to improve its lagging student academic performance. District officials used the addition of this program as an opportunity to further consolidate the district by renovating and enlarging Selinsgrove Elementary School with the intent to close Jackson-Penn Elementary School. The superintendent exploited the school building consolidation to add a multimillion dollar gymnasium to the elementary school. It will be used as a venue for middle school and high school sports. Enrollment in the district is declining and is projected to continue to decline for the next decade. SASD Demographic report Enrollment ProjectionsIn 2005 Selinsgrove Area High School was ranked 306th out of 601 Pennsylvania high schools on the annual state testing. The 3rd grade, located at the Intermediate school, ranked 1215th out of 1779 Pennsylvania third grades.
In December 2007, the school board adopted a new six year Strategic Plan that strives for the academic success of each student. Alignment of curriculum to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards is incomplete for several core subjects. This negatively impacts student outcomes as measured by the PSSAs.
In January 2009, research was presented to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. The research examined course enrollment trends at the state’s 14 community colleges and the 14 institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The data, provided by PASSHE and the community colleges, showed that during the 2007-08 school year 24.7% of Selinsgrove Area High School graduates required costly remediation in math and/or reading before they could take regular college courses. This was the second highest remediation rate among the IU16 region's high schools.
Several groups have approached the school board wanting to add more costly athletic programs including: swimming, boys and girls lacrosse and girls middle school softball. Additionally, the music program continues to push for a new, state of the art performance center.
Wellness policy
Selinsgrove Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.