Upper Adams School District
Encyclopedia
The Upper Adams School District is a small, rural public school district serving parts of Adams County, Pennsylvania
. The boroughs of Bendersville
, Biglerville
, Arendtsville
and the townships of Tyrone, Butler, and Menallen are located within district boundaries. Upper Adams School District encompasses approximately 90 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 9,693. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income
was $17,278, while the median family income was $44,835. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08, Upper Adams School District provided basic educational services to 1,776 pupils. It employed 136 teachers, 95 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. Upper Adams School District received more than $8.7 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
Five schools are contained within the district: Biglerville Elementary School
(K-3), Bendersville Elementary School (4-6) and Arendtsville Elementary School (4-6), Upper Adams Middle School
(7-8), and Biglerville High School
(9-12).
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.
Open records contact information is posted on the district's web site as are some school board meeting agendas and minutes.
results in: reading, writing, mathematics and three years of science.
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Upper Adams School District's rate was 91% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading:
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 31% of Upper Adams 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.
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 and programs 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 who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school
and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the district's dual enrollment program by Pennsylvania law. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $4,193 for the program.
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
8th Grade Reading:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The Superintendent is required to report to the school board annually regarding the effectiveness of the policy.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
In 2009 the district employed 149 teachers. The average teacher salary was $54,659. The highest salary was $113,302 while the starting salary was $38,280. The work day is 7 hours 30 minutes including a 30 minute period for duty free lunch. Teachers receive planning periods each week. Benefits for teachers include up to 5 paid bereavement days, up to 12 paid sick days (which accumulate), 3 paid personal days and reimbursement for professional development. The teachers union president receives 6 paid days to conduct union business. Each teacher receives to four paid instructional days of educational meetings, conferences, and/or professional days for the purpose of maintaining and/or improving professional competency. Teachers with the district more than 5 years can take a sabbatical leave at 50% of their salary for one year. After ten years in the Upper Adams School District the teacher will be paid for unused sick days up to $4,500 lump sum. The teachers' benefits include: life insurance, Major Medical/Hospitalization Insurance, and Vision and Dental Insurance. Some retirees receive health insurance until the age of 65.
The district's administrative costs per pupil was $944.80 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. Upper Dauphin ranks 80th of 501 school districts for administrative spending. In July 2004, the school board awarded a five year contract to Eric C. Eshbach, as superintendent with an initial salary of $92,796. The contract had an extensive benefits package including: life insurance, health insurance, and a one year notice for termination.
In 2008, Upper Adams School District reported spending $11,755 per pupil. This ranked 301st in the commonwealth.
Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,493,428.00.
In June 2010 the Pennsylvania Auditor General released a Performance Audit of the school district. It found that the district has failed to take corrective action on teacher certifications.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax - 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of wealth.
which received an over 8.40% increase. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District
which received an over 49% increase.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 716 students in the Upper Adams School District received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2009-2010 school year.
For the 2010-11 school year, the state provided a 2.84% increase in basic education funding to the district for a total of $5,574,007. Among Adams County public school districts, the highest increase was allotted to Conewago Valley School District
which received an 9.66% increase in 2010. In Pennsylvania, 150 school districts received a 2% base increase. The highest increase in Pennsylvania was given to Kennett Consolidated School District
in Chester County
which was given a 23.65% increase. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation made in the budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 8.14% increase in Basic Education funding for Upper Adams School District a total of $6,234,683. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $5,765,350.55. The highest increase in Adams County went to Conewago Valley School District
which received a 9.48% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District
of Berks County received the highest basic education funding increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.
In 2009, the district reported that 619 students received a federal free or reduced lunch due to low family income.
to purchase equipment to help reform the high school's core subjects instruction and to prepare students for future employment by using cutting-edge equipment and software. The district used the funds to purchase laptops for students, laptops for teachers, laptop carts and other digital equipment. The grant provided additional funding for a technology coach to instruct teachers in using the equipment to improve instruction. In 2006-07 and 2007-08 the district did not apply for funding. In 2008-09, the district received $104,861 in funding. Beginning in 2006, Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future program distributed more than $150 million for laptops, interactive boards and other high-tech tools to 543 Pennsylvania high schools. In 2009, the Classrooms For the Future funding program was terminated due to a deep state revenue shortfall.
- Federal Stimulus money to be used only in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of 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.
rates in 2011-12 were set at 11.8850 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes in Pennsylvania apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. 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. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. In 2008, the total amount of property tax collected by Pennsylvania public school districts collected statewide declined for the first time since 1980.
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 Upper Adams School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
For the 2011-12 school year the Upper Adams School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to pension costs increase of $170,873. The request was partially approved for $152,855. Each year, the Upper Adams School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.
In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.
at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. This was the second year CUSD was the top recipient. 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 Adams County, 74% 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, consequently, people with income far more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
services.
The district provides a wide variety of special services to students with special needs. Parents may request in writing that their child be evaluated for gifted education services.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Upper Adams School District received a $933,760 supplement for special education services in 2010.
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.
In 2011, the school board eliminated 15 assistant coaching positions in the high school and junior high school sports programs. There was also a 22% cut in funding for sports.
Adams County, Pennsylvania
Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,407. It was created on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams...
. The boroughs of Bendersville
Bendersville, Pennsylvania
Bendersville is a borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 641 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bendersville is located at ....
, Biglerville
Biglerville, Pennsylvania
Biglerville is a borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,200 at the 2010 census. The National Apple Museum is located on West Hanover St...
, Arendtsville
Arendtsville, Pennsylvania
Arendtsville is a borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The borough lies on Pennsylvania Route 234 and it is well known for its annual Apple Harvest Festival in the fall...
and the townships of Tyrone, Butler, and Menallen are located within district boundaries. Upper Adams School District encompasses approximately 90 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 9,693. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $17,278, while the median family income was $44,835. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08, Upper Adams School District provided basic educational services to 1,776 pupils. It employed 136 teachers, 95 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. Upper Adams School District received more than $8.7 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
Five schools are contained within the district: Biglerville Elementary School
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
(K-3), Bendersville Elementary School (4-6) and Arendtsville Elementary School (4-6), Upper Adams Middle School
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(7-8), and Biglerville High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(9-12).
Governance
The 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.
Open records contact information is posted on the district's web site as are some school board meeting agendas and minutes.
Academic achievement
The Upper Adams School District was ranked 274th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on 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...
results in: reading, writing, mathematics and three years of science.
- 2010 - 270th
- 2009 - 279th
- 2008 - 268th
- 2007 - 272nd of 501 school districts.
Graduation rate
The graduation rate for the Class of 2011 was 88%. In 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Upper Adams School District's rate was 91% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
- 2010 - 90%
- 2009 - 89%
- 2008 - 87%
- 2007 - 87%
Biglerville High School
In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status. In 2009, the high school is in Warning level for lagging student achievement.PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 75 % on grade level, (6% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 65%, State - 67%
- 2009 - 67%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 66%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 64%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 64%, on grade level (15% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 54%, State - 59%
- 2009 - 60%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 52%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 49%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 56% on grade level (4% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 45%, State - 39%
- 2009 - 41%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 40%, State - 39%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 31% of Upper Adams High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
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 and programs 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 who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school
Charter school
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...
and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the district's dual enrollment program by Pennsylvania law. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $4,193 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.By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class 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.
Upper Adams Middle School
In 2010 the school achieved AYP status. In 2009 the school was in Warning status due to logging student achievement. The attendance rate in both years was 95%.8th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 79% on grade level (5% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2010 - 90%, State - 81%
- 2009 - 85%, State - 80.9%
- 2008 - 82%, State - 78%
- 2007 - 72%, State - 75%
8th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 87% on grade level (2% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
- 2010 - 94%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 84%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 67%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 68%, State - 68%
8th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 61% on grade level (9% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 68%, State - 57%
- 2009 - 66%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 52%, State - 53%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 76% on grade level (4% below basic). State – 76%
- 2010 - 69%, State - 73%
- 2009 - 70%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 78%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 67%, State - 67%
7th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 82% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 78.6%
- 2010 - 85%, State - 77%
- 2009 - 81%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 69%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 59%, State - 67%
Elementary grades
6th Grade Reading:- 2011 - 72% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 73% (9% below basic). State - 68%
- 2009 - 64% (16% below basic). State - 67%
- 2008 - 71% (10% below basic). State - 67%
- 2007 - 74% (11% below basic). State - 63%
6th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 72% on grade level (10% below basic). State - 78.8%
- 2010 - 85% (5% below basic). State - 78%
- 2009 - 71% (15% below basic), State - 75%
- 2008 - 84% (8% below basic), State - 72%
- 2007 - 86% (6% below basic), State - 69%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 75% on grade level (7% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 67.3% of 5th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 65% (21% below basic). State - 64%
- 2009 - 66% (18% below basic), State - 64%
- 2008 - 56% (24% below basic), State - 62%
- 2007 - 64% (14% below basic), State - 60%
5th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 77% on grade level (3% below basic). State - 74%
- 2010 - 76% (6% below basic). State - 74%
- 2009 - 77% (7% below basic). State - 73%
- 2008 - 63% (17% below basic). State - 73%
- 2007 - 86% (8% below basic). State - 71%
Wellness policy
Upper Adams School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch ActNational School Lunch Act
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is a United States federal law signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1946. The act created the National School Lunch Program , a program to provide low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students through subsidies to schools...
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The Superintendent is required to report to the school board annually regarding the effectiveness of the policy.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Budget
In 2007, the Upper Adams School District employed 108 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,182 for 180 days worked.In 2009 the district employed 149 teachers. The average teacher salary was $54,659. The highest salary was $113,302 while the starting salary was $38,280. The work day is 7 hours 30 minutes including a 30 minute period for duty free lunch. Teachers receive planning periods each week. Benefits for teachers include up to 5 paid bereavement days, up to 12 paid sick days (which accumulate), 3 paid personal days and reimbursement for professional development. The teachers union president receives 6 paid days to conduct union business. Each teacher receives to four paid instructional days of educational meetings, conferences, and/or professional days for the purpose of maintaining and/or improving professional competency. Teachers with the district more than 5 years can take a sabbatical leave at 50% of their salary for one year. After ten years in the Upper Adams School District the teacher will be paid for unused sick days up to $4,500 lump sum. The teachers' benefits include: life insurance, Major Medical/Hospitalization Insurance, and Vision and Dental Insurance. Some retirees receive health insurance until the age of 65.
The district's administrative costs per pupil was $944.80 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. Upper Dauphin ranks 80th of 501 school districts for administrative spending. In July 2004, the school board awarded a five year contract to Eric C. Eshbach, as superintendent with an initial salary of $92,796. The contract had an extensive benefits package including: life insurance, health insurance, and a one year notice for termination.
In 2008, Upper Adams School District reported spending $11,755 per pupil. This ranked 301st in the commonwealth.
Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,493,428.00.
In June 2010 the Pennsylvania Auditor General released a Performance Audit of the school district. It found that the district has failed to take corrective action on teacher certifications.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax - 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of wealth.
State basic education funding
In 2011-12, the district will receive $5,951,703 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the Upper Adams School District district will receive $99,751 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding to districts in Adams County, was awarded to Gettysburg Area School DistrictGettysburg Area School District
The Gettysburg Area School District is a mid sized, public school district which serves students in a area of Adams County, Pennsylvania which includes Gettysburg Borough, as well as Cumberland, Freedom, Highland, Franklin and parts of Mt. Joy and Straban Townships. According to 2000 federal...
which received an over 8.40% increase. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District
Duquesne City School District
The is a tiny, suburban public school district in the state of Pennsylvania. It is located in the east hills of Allegheny County, and serves the City of Duquesne , a former mill town on the banks of the Monongahela River. Duquesne City School District encompasses approximately 2 square miles...
which received an over 49% increase.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 716 students in the Upper Adams School District received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2009-2010 school year.
For the 2010-11 school year, the state provided a 2.84% increase in basic education funding to the district for a total of $5,574,007. Among Adams County public school districts, the highest increase was allotted to Conewago Valley School District
Conewago Valley School District
The Conewago Valley School District is a small, rural public school district. Conewago Valley School District encompasses approximately 73 square miles...
which received an 9.66% increase in 2010. In Pennsylvania, 150 school districts received a 2% base increase. The highest increase in Pennsylvania was given to Kennett Consolidated School District
Kennett Consolidated School District
The Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
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...
which was given a 23.65% increase. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation made in the budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 8.14% increase in Basic Education funding for Upper Adams School District a total of $6,234,683. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $5,765,350.55. The highest increase in Adams County went to Conewago Valley School District
Conewago Valley School District
The Conewago Valley School District is a small, rural public school district. Conewago Valley School District encompasses approximately 73 square miles...
which received a 9.48% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District
Muhlenberg School District
The Muhlenberg Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. It encompasses the borough of Laureldale and the Muhlenberg Township. The district encompasses approximately 13 square miles. Per the 2000 federal census data it serves a resident...
of Berks County received the highest basic education funding increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.
In 2009, the district reported that 619 students received a federal free or reduced lunch due to low family income.
Accountability Block Grant
The state provides supplemental funding in the form of accountability block grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific, state approved, student academic achievement focused programs and processes. Upper Adams School District uses its $270,748 to fund full day kindergarten for the 7th year. These annual grant funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding. School districts must apply each year for Accountability Block Grants. The 2009-10 school year, the state provided $271.4 million dollars in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all day kindergartens.Classrooms for the Future Grant
The School Board received a grant from 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...
to purchase equipment to help reform the high school's core subjects instruction and to prepare students for future employment by using cutting-edge equipment and software. The district used the funds to purchase laptops for students, laptops for teachers, laptop carts and other digital equipment. The grant provided additional funding for a technology coach to instruct teachers in using the equipment to improve instruction. In 2006-07 and 2007-08 the district did not apply for funding. In 2008-09, the district received $104,861 in funding. Beginning in 2006, Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future program distributed more than $150 million for laptops, interactive boards and other high-tech tools to 543 Pennsylvania high schools. In 2009, the Classrooms For the Future funding program was terminated due to a deep state revenue shortfall.
Federal Stimulus Grant
Upper Adams School District received an extra $1,198,178 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 only in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.
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 which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of 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
Upper Adams School District property taxProperty tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
rates in 2011-12 were set at 11.8850 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes in Pennsylvania apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. 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. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. In 2008, the total amount of property tax collected by Pennsylvania public school districts collected statewide declined for the first time since 1980.
- 2010-11 - 50.8000 mills.
- 2009-10 - 48.8500 mills.
- 2008-09 - 46.9000 mills.
- 2007-08 - 45.2000 mills.
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 it can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions including: increases in pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increased 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 Upper Adams School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
- 2006-07 - 5.4%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.7%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 6.1%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.6%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 4.0%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 1.9%, Base 1.4%
- 2012-13 - 2.3%, Base 1.4%
For the 2011-12 school year the Upper Adams School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to pension costs increase of $170,873. The request was partially approved for $152,855. Each year, the Upper Adams School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.
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 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Upper Adams School District was $279 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2921 property owners applied for the tax relief. This was the highest property tax relief given to districts in Adams County in 2009. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware CountyDelaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. This was the second year CUSD was the top recipient. 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 Adams County, 74% 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, consequently, people with income far more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
Special Education
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 255 pupils or 14.8% 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.
The district provides a wide variety of special services to students with special needs. Parents may request in writing that their child be evaluated for gifted education services.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Upper Adams School District received a $933,760 supplement for special education services in 2010.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 55 or 3.11% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The Upper Adams School Board determines eligibility policies to participate in these programs. The sports program is extensive extending into the middle school.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.
In 2011, the school board eliminated 15 assistant coaching positions in the high school and junior high school sports programs. There was also a 22% cut in funding for sports.