Southern Tioga School District
Encyclopedia
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 district residents' per capita income
was $14,942, while the median family income was $39,106. Enrollment is 2000 students in 2010.
The district runs 3 high schools (Mansfield, Liberty, and North Penn Highs) and 3 elementary schools,.
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
and the No Child Left Behind Act
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
results in: reading, writing, math and three years of science.
In 2009, the district was in the bottom 33 percentile for student academic achievement among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts.
Graduation rate
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
8th Grade Reading:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
Graduation rate
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
8th Grade Reading:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 95%
2009 - 100%
2008 - 100%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
8th Grade Reading:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
study released in January 2009, 14% of Southern Tioga School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities 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.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,415 for the program.
The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Southern Tioga School District received a $1,240,082 supplement for special education services in 2010.
The district administrative costs per pupil were $761.19 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
The district reported spending $12,259 per pupil in 2008 which ranked 246th in the state.
In 2008 the district participated in the state's cost containment review program for school districts called Common Cents. It offered 10 proposals to save tax dollars in the district.
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. It found that the district did not have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mansfield Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police and failed to update its MOU with the Blossburg Borough Police Department
In 2010, the school board approved a three-year user agreement with the Borough of Blossburg to use recreational facilities at Island Park from July 1 to June 30, 2013, for $13,000 annually. It also approved entering into a user agreement with Laurel Youth Services to use classroom space and the gymnasium for the residential and diagnostic classes between August and May 2011 for $1,102.40 per month. The board entered into a user agreement with Laurel Youth Services to use the gymnasium for wrestling practice between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28, 2011, in the amount of $256.80 per month or $64.20 per week.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.2%, 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 exempt from Pennsylvania income tax and from local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's level of wealth.
of Chester County
which received a 23.65% increase in basic education funding from the state. One hundred fifty school districts received a base 2% increase. 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 4.19% increase in Basic Education Funding, to the district for a total of $8,621,137. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $8,274,657.88. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, 924 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
.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 924 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 funding was in addition to all regular annual subsidies. In 2008 the district reported that 924 students received free or reduced lunch due to low family income.
federal grant. When approved for the grant, the district would have received nearly one million dollars, in additional federal dollars, for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
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 Southern Tioga School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
In 2010, the Southern Tioga School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the index. 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 $187 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%).
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.
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.
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $14,942, while the median family income was $39,106. Enrollment is 2000 students in 2010.
The district runs 3 high schools (Mansfield, Liberty, and North Penn Highs) and 3 elementary schools,.
Governance
The Southern 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 federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act , is a United States federal statute enacted April 11, 1965. It was passed as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and has been the most far-reaching federal legislation affecting education ever passed by Congress...
and the No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
Academic Achievement
Southern Tioga School District was ranked 369th out of the 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance as demonstrated in 5 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 three years of science.
- 2010 - 377th
- 2009 - 422nd
- 2008 - 391st
- 2007 - 386th 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.
Mansfield Junior Senior High School
In 2010 and 2009 the school achieved AYP.Graduation rate
- 2010 - 92%
- 2009 - 93%
- 2008 - 100%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 76% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.
- 2009 - 74%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 59%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 61%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 67% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
- 2009 - 56%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 51%, State - 55%
- 2007 - 46%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 42% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 35%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 19%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 74% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (61 pupils enrolled)
- 2009 - 87%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 69%, State - 78%
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 72% on grade level. State - 75%
- 2009 - 75%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 64%, State - 70%
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 56% on grade level. State - 57%
- 2009 - 60%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 40%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 75% on grade level. State - 73% (58 pupils enrolled)
- 2009 - 62%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 72%, State - 70%
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 79% on grade level. State - 77%
- 2009 - 73%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 66%, State - 70%
North Penn Junior Senior High School
In 2010 the school declined to Warning status due to low student achievement.Graduation rate
- 2010 - 80%
- 2009 - 94%
- 2008 - 79%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 38% on grade level. In Pennsylvania 67% of 11th graders are on grade level. (31 pupils enrolled)
- 2009 - 45%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 50%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 51%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 51% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% on grade level.
- 2009 - 50%, State - 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2008 - 57%, State - 55%
- 2007 - 46%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 16.7% on grade level. State - 39%
- 2009 - 19%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 28%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 73% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (46 pupils enrolled)
- 2009 - 80%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 78%, State - 78%
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 57% on grade level. State - 75%
- 2009 - 45%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 56%, State - 70%
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 54% on grade level. State - 57%
- 2009 - 47%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 40%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 63% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (52 pupils enrolled)
- 2009 - 58%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 56%, State - 70%
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 77% on grade level. State - 77%
- 2009 - 54%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 53%, State - 70%
Liberty Junior Senior High School
Graduation rate2010 - 95%
2009 - 100%
2008 - 100%
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 68% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (38 pupils)
- 2009 - 68%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 62%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 65%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 64% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 69%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 51%, State - 55%
- 2007 - 59%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 52% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 52%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 31%, State - 39%
8th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 81% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (53 pupils enrolled)
- 2009 - 85%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 94%, State -78%
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 71% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
- 2009 - 71%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 69%, State - 70%
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 58% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
- 2009 - 65%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 64%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 76% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (38 pupils enrolled)
- 2009 - 67%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 82%, State - 70%
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 68% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
- 2009 - 76%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 84%, State - 70%
College Remediation
According to a 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...
study released in January 2009, 14% of Southern Tioga School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Dual Enrollment
The high school offers a Dual EnrollmentDual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities 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.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,415 for the program.
Graduation requirements
By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. The focus on the project is career exploration.Elementary Schools
- Blossburg Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/36543881/Blossburg-Elementary-School-Academic-Achievement-Report-Card-2009-Southern-Tioga-School-District
- Liberty Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/36543831/Liberty-Elementary-School-Academic-Achievement-Report-Card-2009-Southern-County-School-District
- Warren Miller Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 http://www.scribd.com/doc/36543796/STSD-Warren-Miller-Elementary-School-Academic-Achievement-Report-Card-2009
Special Education
In December 2008, the district reported that 15.3% of the students received special education services.The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Southern Tioga School District received a $1,240,082 supplement for special education services in 2010.
Budget
In 2007, the Southern Tioga School District employed 162 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $46,829 for 180 days worked. In 2009, the professional staff's salaries ranged between $38,000 and $117,412 for the superintendent. The faculty also 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 $761.19 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
The district reported spending $12,259 per pupil in 2008 which ranked 246th in the state.
In 2008 the district participated in the state's cost containment review program for school districts called Common Cents. It offered 10 proposals to save tax dollars in the district.
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. It found that the district did not have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mansfield Borough Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police and failed to update its MOU with the Blossburg Borough Police Department
In 2010, the school board approved a three-year user agreement with the Borough of Blossburg to use recreational facilities at Island Park from July 1 to June 30, 2013, for $13,000 annually. It also approved entering into a user agreement with Laurel Youth Services to use classroom space and the gymnasium for the residential and diagnostic classes between August and May 2011 for $1,102.40 per month. The board entered into a user agreement with Laurel Youth Services to use the gymnasium for wrestling practice between Nov. 1 and Feb. 28, 2011, in the amount of $256.80 per month or $64.20 per week.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.2%, 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 exempt 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 3.23% increase in state funding for a total of $8,899,908. This was the highest funding increase given among Tioga County school districts. In Pennsylvania, the highest increase went to Kennett Consolidated School DistrictKennett Consolidated School District
The Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
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. One hundred fifty school districts received a base 2% increase. 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 4.19% increase in Basic Education Funding, to the district for a total of $8,621,137. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $8,274,657.88. 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...
, 924 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...
.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 924 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 $424,820 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide Increased Instructional Time and to provide Full Day Kindergarten for the 7th year.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 funded mandatory teacher training to optimize the instructional use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Southern Tioga School District was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district received $378,106 and in 2008-09 $136,238 for a total of $514,344.Federal Stimulus ARRA Grant
The district received $1,689,656 in ARRAArra
Arra is a census town in Puruliya district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Demographics: India census, Arra had a population of 19,911. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Arra has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the...
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding was in addition to all regular annual subsidies. In 2008 the district reported that 924 students received free or reduced lunch due to low family income.
Race to the Top grant
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the TopRace to the Top
Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competition designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education...
federal grant. When approved for the grant, the district would have received nearly one million dollars, in additional federal dollars, for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
Real estate taxes
In 2010 the school board set real estate taxes at 14.0700 mills for residents in Tioga County. District residents living in Lycoming County had property taxes set at 14.0790 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.- 2010-11: 14.0090 mills in Tioga County. Lycoming County 13.7940 mills.
- 2009-10: 13.6293 mills in Tioga County. Lycoming County residents 13.0295 mills.
- 2008-09: 13.6295 mills in Tioga County. Lycoming County residents 13.1309 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 Southern Tioga School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
- 2006-07 - 5.5%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.8%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 6.3%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.8%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 4.1%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4%
In 2010, the Southern Tioga School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the index. 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 Southern Tioga School District was $188 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,487 property owners applied for the tax relief. This was the highest property tax relief in Tioga County. 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 $187 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%).
Race to the Top Grant
Southern 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.
Enrollment
Enrollment in Southern Tioga School District is projected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to decline another 200 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.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.