Brockway Area School District

The Brockway Area School District in a small, rural public school district located in north west Pennsylvania, USA. The District encompasses approximately 147 square miles (380 km2) spanning portions of two counties. In Elk County it covers a small portion of Horton Township. In Jefferson County it covers the Borough of Brockway and Polk Township, Snyder Township and Washington Township. The district operates one elementary school and Brockway Area Junior/Senior High School. The District is with the Riverview Intermediate Unit 6 region. The Intermediate Unit provides support services and therapy to special education students. It also provides training to school personnel.

Brockway Area School District
Address
40 North Street

Brockway
,
Elk County, Jefferson County
,
Pennsylvania
15824

United States
Information
TypePublic
SuperintendentMr. Dan Hawkins[1]
Faculty81 teachers (2010), 80 (2011)[2]
GradesK-12
Age5 years to 21 years for Special education
Number of pupils1,055 (2010)[3] 1033 students (2011)
 • Kindergarten59
 • Grade 176
 • Grade 280
 • Grade 371
 • Grade 464
 • Grade 587
 • Grade 6102
 • Grade 784
 • Grade 899
 • Grade 974
 • Grade 1082
 • Grade 1180
 • Grade 1275
MascotRovers
Budget$13,057,506 (2012–13)[4]
per pupile spending$11,529 (2008)
Per pupil spending$12,432.91 (2010)
Websitewww.brockway.k12.pa.us
Map of Elk County, Pennsylvania School Districts

According to District officials, in the 2009–10 school year, the Brockway Area School District provided basic educational services to 1,054 pupils through the employment of 86 teachers, 49 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. Brockway Area School District again received more than $9 million in state funding for school year 2009–10. In 2007–08, Brockway Area School District had 1,150 pupils enrolled. It employed 89 teachers, 50 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators. Brockway Area School District received more than $9 million in state funding in school year 2007–08.

Demographics

According to 2000 federal census data, Brockway Area School District served a resident population of 8,455. The resident population declined to 7,537 people in 2010. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $17,828, while the median family income was $40,732.[5] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[6] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[7]

Schools

Governance

Brockway Area School District is governed by a locally elected, 9 member board (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[8] 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 on grade level 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.[9]

Academic achievement

Brockway Area School District was ranked 349th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2012, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[10] The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing math and science.[11] The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

  • 2011 – 365th[12]
  • 2010 – 333rd[13]
  • 2009 – 317th
  • 2008 – 302nd
  • 2007 – 329th out of 501 school districts.[14]
Overachievers statewide ranking

In 2011, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Brockway Area School District ranked 201st. In 2010, the district was 313th. The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question – which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[15]

District AYP status history

Brockway Area School District has achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), under the No Child Left Behind Act every year since 2003 when the assessments began.[16] In 2011, Brockway Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.

Graduation rate

In 2011 and 2012, Brockway Area School District's graduation rate was 92%.[17] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Brockway Junior Senior High School's rate was 92% for 2010.[18]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Junior Senior High School

Brockway Junior Senior High School is located at 100 Alexander Street, Brockway. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 490 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 186 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 40 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.[23] In 2010 through 2012, Brockway Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status.[24]

11th Grade Reading
  • 2012 – 66% on grade level, (15% below basic). State – 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[25]
  • 2011 – 76%, (13% below basic). State – 69.1%[26]
  • 2010 – 64% (24% below basic). State – 66%[27]
  • 2009 – 65% (17% below basic). State – 65%[28]
  • 2008 – 68% (16% below basic). State – 65%[29]
  • 2007 – 53% (18% below basic). State – 65%[30]
11th Grade Math
  • 2012 – 65% on grade level (14% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[31]
  • 2011 – 57% (22% below basic). State – 60.3% .[32]
  • 2010 – 57% (26% below basic). State – 59%
  • 2009 – 48% (22% below basic). State – 56%.
  • 2008 – 58% (21% below basic). State – 56%
  • 2007 – 57% (23% below basic). State – 53%
11th Grade Science
  • 2012 – 39% on grade level (9% below basic). State – 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[33]
  • 2011 – 57% (5% below basic). State – 40% .[34]
  • 2010 – 35% (19% below basic). State – 39%
  • 2009 – 44% (13% below basic). State – 40%[35]
  • 2008 – 50% (12% below basic). State – 39%

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 18% of the Brockway Area 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.[36] 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.[37] 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.

Dual enrollment

Brockway Senior High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books[38] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[39]

Graduation requirements

Brockway Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 credits to graduate, including: Math – 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 4 credits, Arts and Humanities 2 credits, Health and Physical Education 2 credits and electives 6 credits.[40]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. Beginning with the Class of 2015, students will be required to have 4 science credits[41] At Brockway the students must complete 4 out of 5 choices: participate in at least 2 Career Activities; Complete a Career Interest Survey; Complete a Formal Resume; Participate in two community volunteer projects, activities or organizations and participate in two job shadowing experiences.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2017, 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.[42][43][44] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit – 49% on grade level.[45] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

SAT scores

In 2012, 68 Brockway Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 464. The Math average score was 483. The Writing average score was 454. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the US, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

From January to June 2011, 45 Brockway students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 491. The Math average score was 512. The Writing average score was 466.[46] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal – 493, Math – 501, Writing – 479.[47] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[48]

Seventh-eighth grades

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science
  • 2012 – 48% on grade level (20% below basic). State – 59%
  • 2011 – 57% (28% below basic). State – 58.3%
  • 2010 – 53% (28% below basic). State – 57%[49]
  • 2009 – 62% (17% below basic). State – 55%[50]
  • 2008 – 50% (21% below basic). State – 52%[51]

Elementary School

Brockway Area Elementary School is located at 40 North Street, Brockway. In 2010, the school had 565 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 6th grade, with 268 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 41 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[52] In 2010 through 2012, Brockway Area Elementary School achieved AYP status.[53]

PSSA Results
4th Grade Science
  • 2012 – 88%, (2% below basic). State – 82%
  • 2011 – 83%, (8% below basic). State – 82.9%
  • 2010 – 84%, (8% below basic). State – 81%
  • 2009 – 92%, (2% below basic). State – 83%
  • 2008 – 74%, (8% below basic). State – 81%

Special education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 144 pupils or 13% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 48% of identified students having a specific learning disability.[55] In December 2009, the District administration reported that 147 pupils or 13% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 47.6% of the identified pupils having specific learning disabilities.

To comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress .[56] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department.[57][58]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for 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.[59] The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district's students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student's needs accrue the same level of costs.[60] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[61] Overidentification of students, to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.[62]

Brockway Area School District received a $698,231 supplement for special education services in 2010.[63] For the 2012–13 and 2011–12 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010–11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[64]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 63 or 5.74% of its students were gifted in 2009.[65] 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.[66][67]

Enrollment

Brockway Area School District has a low enrollment which is projected to continue to decline through 2015. The Class of 2013 has 58 pupils. The class of 2011, was 79 pupils. The Class of 2007 had 90 pupils.[68]

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. More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).[69] As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools continue to rise.

Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the United States. In Pennsylvania, 80% of school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts had enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.[70] This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[71] 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.[72] In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants released a report finding that the state would save hundreds of millions of tax dollars, by cutting the number of school administrations in half through consolidation, with no impact on programs offered to students.[73]

Budget

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Brockway Area School District was $50,590 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $17,018 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $67,609.[74]

In 2009, Brockway Area School District reported employing 125 teachers and administrators with a starting salary of $31,840, a median salary of $52,968 and a top salary of $110,000.[75] Brockway Area School District teachers work 7.5 hours a day with a 30-minute duty-free lunch and a daily preparation period. The work year is 183 days. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance (employee contributes $360 per year), dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, group long term disability insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, up to 5 paid bereavement days, and other benefits.[76]

In 2007, the district employed 81 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,185 for the 180 student days worked.[77] As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation.[78]

Brockway Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $754.44 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[79] Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.[80]

In 2008, Brockway Area School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $11,529 which ranked 337th among Pennsylvania's 501 public school districts. In 2010, the District's per pupil spending had increased to $11,681.16[81] Among the states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008–09.[82] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[83]

Reserves In 2008, the Brockway Area School District reported a balance of $1,521,132 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $8,798,727.[84] In 2010, Brockway Area Administration reported an increase to $11,154,096 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance, while the unreserved-designated fund having a balance of zero. Pennsylvania school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.[85]

In October 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the District. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.[86] In December 2012, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted another performance audit of the District.

Students who live in the District's attendance range may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. Or a student living in a neighboring public school district may seek admission to Brockway Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. Elementary School – $8,985.70, High School – $10,087.22[87]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax – 1%, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of the individual's personal wealth.[88]

State basic education funding

For the 2012–13 school year, Brockway Area School District received $6,819,100.[89] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012–2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011–12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block grant program. The District received $79,760 in Accountability Block Grant funds.

In 2011–12, Brockway Area School District received a $6,739,340 allocation of state Basic Education Funding.[90][91] Additionally, Brockway Area School District received $79,760 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.[92] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011–12.[93] In 2010, the district reported that 434 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[94]

For the 2010–2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding to Brockway Area School District for a total of $7,064,390. Among the districts in Jefferson County, the highest increase went to Brookville Area School District which got a 2.23% increase. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in Basic Education Funding in 2010–11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[95] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where a district received at least the same amount as the year before, even where enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district receives was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009–10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.77% increase, in Basic Education Funding to Brockway Area School District, for a total of $6,925,873. Among the public school districts in Jefferson County, the highest increase went to Punxsutawney Area School District which got a 3.19%. The state Basic Education Funding provided to Brockway Area School District in 2008–09 was $6,739,340.28. Ninety school districts statewide received a base 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[96] The amount of increase each school district receives was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.[97] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 412 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[98]

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, Brockway Area School District applied for and received $216,490 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The District used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten.[99][100]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. The Brockway Area School District did not apply to participate in 2006–07 or in 2007–08. The district received $83,715 in 2008–09.[101] In Jefferson County, the highest award, $807,235, was given to Punxsutawney Area School District. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County – $9,409,073.

Other grants

Brockway Area School District did not participate in the following grants: PA Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Education grants, Science Its Elementary grants, Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the federal 21st Century Learning Grants and Safe Schools Target grant 2012.

Common Cents state initiative

Brockway Area School Board elected to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[102] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $2,203,974 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[103] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010–2011 school years.[104] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top grant

District officials applied for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided over one million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[105] 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.[106] 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.[107][108][109]

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2012–13 were set by the school board at 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and mills in 20.8500 Elk County.[110] A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of 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. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75–85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[111] The school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a State board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.[112] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts.[113] 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.

  • 2011-11 – 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and 20.7700 mills in Elk County[114]
  • 2010–11 – 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and 21.1000 mills in Elk County[115]
  • 2009–10 – 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and 22.0000 mills in Elk County.[116]
  • 2008–09 – 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and 22.0000 mills in Elk County.[117]
  • 2007–08 – 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and 23.6000 mills in Elk County.[118]
  • 2006–07 – 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and 23.6000 mills in Elk County.[119]
  • 2005–06 – 16.0000 mills in Jefferson County and 60.4000 mills in Elk County.[120]

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 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.[121] The average yearly property tax paid by Jefferson County residents amounts to about 2.52% of their yearly income. Jefferson County is ranked 949th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. The average yearly property tax paid by Elk County residents amounts to about 2.89% of their yearly income. Elk County is ranked 668th for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[122]

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 Statistics 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 0.75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[123] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[124] The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[125][126]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Brockway Area School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.[127]

For the 2012–13 budget year, Brockway Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012–2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[129]

For the 2011–12 school year, the Brockway Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Brockway Area 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 published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[130]

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.[131]

The Brockway Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[132] For 2009–10 school budget, the board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[133] 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.[134]

Property tax relief

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Brockway Area School District was $167 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,112 property owners applied for the tax relief.[135] 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 (4.0 ha) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Jefferson County, 42% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[136] In Jefferson County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2010, went to property owners in Brookville Area School District which was $206. The highest property tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[137] This was the third year they were the top recipient.

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, individual with income much 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.[138]

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%).[139]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and interscholastic athletics. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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.[140]

Sports

The District funds:

Junior high school sports

According to PIAA directory July 2012 [141]

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