North Schuylkill School District

The North Schuylkill School District is a midsized, rural/suburban public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and Columbia County, Pennsylvania. It includes the municipalities of Frackville, Ringtown, Union Township, Girardville, Ashland, Gordon, and Butler Township in Schuylkill County, and Conyngham Township in Columbia County. The district encompasses an area of approximately 72 square miles (190 km2). The school district has a population of 16,681, according to the 2000 federal census.

North Schuylkill School District
Address
15 Academy Lane

Ashland
,
Schuylkill
,
Pennsylvania
17921-9301

United States
Information
TypePublic
School board9 elected members
SuperintendentDr. Robert Ackell
School number(570) 874-0466
PrincipalKen Roseberry
Faculty146.50 teachers (2010)
GradesK−12
Age5 years to 21 years for special education
Number of pupils2022 (2009–2010)[1]
 • Kindergarten148
 • Grade 1120
 • Grade 2181
 • Grade 3149
 • Grade 4152
 • Grade 5139
 • Grade 6156
 • Grade 7177
 • Grade 8148
 • Grade 9154
 • Grade 10187
 • Grade 11159
 • Grade 12160
 • OtherEnrollment projected to be 2011 in 2020 [2]
MascotSpartans
Budget$23,737,981 (2012–13)
TuitionNonresident and charter school students ES – $7,415.73, HS – $8,439.98 [3]
Per pupil Spending$10,462 (2008)
Per pupil Spending$14,188 (2010)
Website
Columbia County School Districts

According to school district administrative officials, during 2009–10, the district provided basic educational services to 2,009 students through the employment of 14 administrators, 153 teachers, and 114 full-time and part-time support personnel. North Schuylkill School District received more than $11.7 million in state funding in school year 2009–10.

Special education was provided by the district and the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29. Occupational training and adult education in various vocational and technical fields were provided by the district and the Schuylkill Technology Centers.

The district operates one elementary school and one junior/senior high school.

Governance

The district is governed by a 9-member board that is elected to serve four-year terms, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[4] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and President George W. Bush's 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.[5]

Lawsuit

In 2009, a group of citizens sued the District over the appointment of its Solicitor (Mark Semanchik) as Superintendent (Hetherington v. Rogers).[6] The suit sought the removal of eight members of a local school board over the appointment of a superintendent. The District applied three times to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a mandate waiver regarding Mr. Semanchik's qualifications. The requests were denied all three times. Commonwealth Court held there was a conflict of interest because Semanchik's role as solicitor meant he was advising the Board about major decisions, including hiring a superintendent. Attorneys for the school board members argued that the case was brought because the District closed Ringtown Elementary School. In July 2012, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision on the case was split 3–3 affirming the order of the Commonwealth Court that the former eight School Board members are removed and barred from running for public office for 5 years.[7][8]

Academic achievement

The North Schuylkill School District was ranked 391st out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2012, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on the last three years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, mathematics and science.

  • 2011 – 375th
  • 2010 – 361st [9]
  • 2009 – 353rd
  • 2008 – 332nd
  • 2007 – 317th of 501 school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[10]
Overachievers statewide ranking

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. North Schuylkill School District ranked 405th. In 2011, the District was ranked 340th. [11] 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."[12]

In 2010 and 2011, North Schuylkill Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under No Child Left Behind.[13] In 2011, 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.

In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the North Schuylkill School District, was in the 18th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0–99; 100 is state best) [14]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate was 86.81%.[15] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. North Schuylkill Junior Senior High School's rate was 77% for 2010.[16]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Junior Senior High School

North Schuylkill Junior Senior High School is located at 15 Academy Lane Route 61, Ashland. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 931 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 324 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 73 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[21] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1 teacher was rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[22]

In 2011, North Schuylkill Junior Senior High School declined to Warning AYP status.[23] In 2010, North Schuylkill Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status.[24] In the 2009–10 school year, the attendance rate was reported at 95%.

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
  • 2011 – 76% on grade level, (10% below basic). State – 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[25]
  • 2010 – 65% (14% below basic). State – 66% [26]
  • 2009 – 68%, State – 65% [27]
  • 2008 – 55%, State – 65%[28]
  • 2007 – 61%, State – 65% [29]
11th Grade Math
  • 2011 – 63% on grade level (20% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[30]
  • 2010 – 58%, (18% below basic). State – 59%
  • 2009 – 53%, State – 56% [31]
  • 2008 – 44%, State – 56% [32]
  • 2007 – 40%, State – 53%
11th Grade Science
  • 2011 – 34% on grade level (10% below basic). State – 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[33]
  • 2010 – 35% (9% below basic). State – 39%
  • 2009 – 48%, State – 40%
  • 2008 – 36%, State – 39%

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 26% of North Schuylkill 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.[34] 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.[35] 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

The high school does not offer the Pennsylvania 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 offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[36] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[37] 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.[38]

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 103 North Schuylkill School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 462. The Math average score was 465. The Writing average score was 451.[39] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal – 493, Math – 501, Writing – 479.[40] 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.[41]

Graduation requirements

The North Schuylkill School Board has determined that students must earn 24 credits to graduate, including: 4 credits of English, 4 credits of Social Studies, 3 credits of Mathematics, 3 credits of Science, 2 credits of Physical Education (1.25 credits for students attending Schuylkill Technology Center), 1 credit of Health/Driver Education/CPR/Consumer Economics, and 7 credits of Electives.[42]

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.[43] At North Schuylkill a pupils may: complete a Service-Learning Project Option or a Project-Based Learning Option.[44]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2015 and 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.[45]

8th Grade Reading
  • 2011 – 73% on grade level (15% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
  • 2010 – 80% (11% below basic). State – 81%[46]
  • 2009 – 73%, State – 80%
  • 2008 – 72%, State – 78%
  • 2007 – 74%, State – 75% [47]
8th Grade Math
  • 2011 – 69% on grade level (10% below basic). State – 76.9%
  • 2010 – 77% (8% below basic). State – 75%
  • 2009 – 63%, State – 71%
  • 2008 – 76%, State – 70% [48]
  • 2007 – 76%, State – 67%
8th Grade Science
  • 2011 – 52% on grade level (19% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 – 51% (25% below basic). State – 57%.
  • 2009 – 51%, State: – 54% [49]
  • 2008 – 56%, State – 52% [50]

Elementary school

North Schuylkill Elementary School is located at 38 Line Street, Ashland. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 1,024 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 475 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 73.5 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[51] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[52] In 2010 and 2011, North Schuylkill Elementary School achieved AYP status under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[53] For 2009–10 school year the attendance rate was 95%.[54]

4th Grade Science
  • 2011 – 79%, (6% below basic). State – 82.9%
  • 2010 – 87% (6% below basic). State – 81%
  • 2009 – 87%, State – 83%[58]
  • 2008 – 90%, State – 81%

Special education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 328 pupils or 17% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 39% having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the district administration reported that 319 pupils or 15.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[59]

The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.[60]

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.[61] 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.[62] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[63] Overidentification of students, in order 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.[64]

North Schuylkill School District received a $1,147,121 supplement for special education services in 2010.[65] For the 2011–12 and 2012–13 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010–11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[66][67]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 23 or 1.18% of its students were gifted in 2009.[68] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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.[69]

Bullying policy

The North Schuylkill School District administration reported there were no incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.[70][71]

The North Schuylkill School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[72] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[73] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.[74]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[75]

Wellness policy

The School Board established a district wellness policy on June 15, 2006.[76] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.[77]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval. A study was conducted of the submitted policies (n=499). It found that the majority of districts complied with the mandates of the law. Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[78]

Budget

In 2009, the district reports employing over 130 teachers with a starting salary of $36,000.[79] The average teacher salary was $52,509 while the maximum salary is $110,000.[80] In Pennsylvania, the average teacher salary for Pennsylvania's 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977 in 2008.[81] 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.[82] Additionally, North Schuylkill School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, income protection insurance, several paid personal days, and 10 sick days, life insurance and other benefits.[83] According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[84] In 2011, the average teacher salary in North Schuylkill School District was $48,300 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $18,432.87 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $64,813.[85] According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation, including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.[86]

In 2007, the district employed 90 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $47,608 for 180 school days worked.[87]

North Schuylkill School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $584.30 per pupil. The district is ranked 457th out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[88]

In 2008, North Schuylkill School District reported spending $10,462 per pupil. This ranked 466th in the commonwealth.[89]

Reserves

In 2009, the district reported a $4,025,677.00 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $123,566.[90] In 2010, North Schuylkill Administration reported $3,638,772 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance and $490,672 in its designated fund balance. 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.[91]

In May 2007, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.[92] IN January 2012 the District was audited again.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, 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 individual's wealth.[93]

State basic education funding

For the 2012–13 school year, the district will receive $8,367,977.[94] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012–13 includes $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which is an increase of $49 million over the 2011–12 budget. The state also provides $100 million for the Accountability Block grant. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[95] This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011–12 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010–11 school year.

In 2011–12, the district received a $8,256,033 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[96][97] Additionally, the North Schuylkill School District received $119,037 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011–2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount was a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–11.[98] 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.[99] In 2010, the district reported that 724 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[100]

For 2010–11 the North Schuylkill School District received a 7.43% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $9,127,601 payment.[101] The highest increase in BEF in Schuylkill County went to Minersville Area School District which received 9.96%. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010–11 school year. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[102]

In the 2009–2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided an 8.57% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $8,495,940. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008–09 was $7,825,320. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low-income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more.[103] Shenandoah Valley School District was the highest increase in Schuylkill County with a 14.50% increase in basic education funding, for the 2009–10 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.[104]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 661 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–08 school year.[105]

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004–05, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania's school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K−3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010–11 the North Schuylkill School District applied for and received $323,097 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the seventh year.[106][107]

Education Assistance grant

The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010–11 the North Schuylkill School District received $47,136.[108]

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. North Schuylkill School District did not apply for funding in 2006–07. In 2007–08, the district received $200,260. For the 2008–09, school year the district received $45,413 for a total of $245,673 in state funding. North Schuylkill School District received the largest grant awarded ito the public school districts in Schuylkill County. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[109] The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County – $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state financial crisis.

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $2,248,801 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[110] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010–11 school years.[111] 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

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[112] 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.[113] 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.[114]

Common Cents state initiative

The North Schuylkill School Board did 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.[115] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The school board set property tax rates in 2012–13 at 38.100 mills for residents in Columbia County. Residents in Schuylkill County were taxed 36.7900 mills [116] A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[117] 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. In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.[118]

  • 2011–12 – 36.6100 mills in Columbia County. Schuylkill County – 36.0600 mills.
  • 2010–11 – 35.8600 mills in Columbia County. Schuylkill County – 34.2600 mills.[119]
  • 2009–10 – 34.7500 mills in Columbia County. Schuylkill County – 33.8600 mills.[120]
  • 2008–09 – 34.5900 mills Columbia County and Schuylkill County – 33.8600 mills.[121]

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 authorized 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 .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[122]

The School District Adjusted Index for the North Schuylkill School District 2006–2007 through 2010–2011.[123]

  • 2006–07 – 5.3%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007–08 – 4.7%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008–09 – 6.1%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009–10 – 5.8%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010–11 – 4.2%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011–12 – 2.0%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012–13 – 2.4%, Base 1.7% [124]

For the 2012–13 budget year, School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012–13, 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. 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.[125]

For the 2011–12 school year, the North Schuylkill School Board apply for two exception to exceed the Act 1 Index: pension costs and special education costs. Each year, the North Schuylkill 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.[126]

According to a state report, for the 2011–12 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.[127]

The North Schuylkill School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2010–11.[128] 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.[129]

Property tax relief

In 2012, North Schuylkill School District approved homestead residents received $88.[130] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the North Schuylkill School District was $85 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 4,865 property owners applied for the tax relief. Schuylkill Haven Area School District received $195 which was the highest property tax relief allotted in Schuylkill County for 2009.[131] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's 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.[132] Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[133] This was the second 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 individuals who have income substantially 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.[134]

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%).[135]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies. If a student is absent from school during a semester for a total of 20 or more school days, the student will lose their eligibility until they have been in attendance for a total of 45 school days following the 20th day of absence.[136] In 2012 the District instituted a $40 participation fee with a fee of $25 for students who qualify for a federal free lunch. The district's pool was closed as a part of a budget constraints in June 2012 and the junior high school sports schedule was reduced.

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.[137]

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