Saint Clair Area School District

Saint Clair Area School District
Address
227 South Mill Street Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County 17970-1338 United States
Information
Type	Public
Closed	St Clair Area High School (1989)
School board	9 elected members
Superintendent	Mr. Jason S Bendle , Acting Superintendent (2014),[1] Mrs. Kendy Klahr Hinkel
Administrator	Mrs Schane, Business Manager
Principal	Mr Michael J Maley
Staff	19[2]
Faculty	41 teachers (2014), 53 teachers (2011),[3] 49 teachers (2010)
Grades	K-8
Age	5 years old to 21 years old special education
Pupils	570 pupils (2013),[4] 534 pupils (2009-2010)[5] 568 pupils (2006)[6]
• Kindergarten	61 (2012), 82 (2010)
• Grade 1	68 (2012), 56
• Grade 2	71 (2012), 51
• Grade 3	67 (2012), 61
• Grade 4	72 (2012), 55
• Grade 5	63 (2012), 61
• Grade 6	50 (2012), 58
• Grade 7	64 (2012), 51
• Grade 8	54 (2012), 59 (2010)
• Other	Enrollment projected to remain low through 2019
Language	English
Mascot	Saints
Budget	$9,901,934 (2015-16)[7] $10 million (2014-15)[8] $9,667,535 (2010-11)
Tuition	for nonresident and charter school students ES - $7,162.06 [9]
Affiliation	Pottsville Area School District
Per pupil spending	$10,127 (2008)
Per pupil spending	$10,880.07 (2010)
Website	http://www.saintclairsd.org/

The St. Clair Area School District is a diminutive, suburban public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Centered on the borough of St. Clair, it also encompasses the boroughs of Middleport and New Philadelphia, plus the townships of Blythe Township, New Castle Township, and East Norwegian Township. The District is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania. Saint Clair Area School District encompasses approximately 48 square miles (120 km²). According to 2000 federal census data, it served a resident population of 7,020. By 2010, the US Census Bureau reported that the District's resident population declined to 6,695 people.^[10] The educational attainment levels for the St. Clair Area School District population (25 years old and over) were 82.6% high school graduates and 9.8% college graduates.^[11]

According to District officials, in school year 2008, St. Clair Area School District provided basic educational services to 831 pupils through the employment of 45 teachers, 31 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 2 administrators. In 2011-2012, Saint Clair Area School District provided basic educational services to 875 pupils. It employed: 46 teachers, 27 full-time and part-time support personnel and three (3) administrators. The Saint Clair Area School District received $4,314,321 in state funding in the 2011-12 school year. By 2014, enrollment had declined to 580 pupils K-8th.

St. Clair Area School District operates one school that provides Kindergarten through 8th grades. High school students attend Pottsville High School through an agreement under which Saint Clair Area School District pays tuition for each student. Saint Clair Area School District provides transport for the students to and from Pottsville Area School District High School. The tuition rate for Pottsville area is set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education at 9,669.04 for 2013-2014.^[12] In 2015, a feasibility study was done examining consolidating the district completely with Pottsville Area School District. The plan was rejected by Pottsville Area School Board.^[13] Civic Research Alliance of Mechanicsburg charged the District half of $37,000 cost for the feasibility study.^[14]

St. Clair Area School District has an extensive staff for hearing impaired students.The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit IU 29 provides the school with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Governance

Saint Clair Area School District is governed by a 9-member board that is elected to serve four-year terms (with no compensation), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.^[15] 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 Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent regarding renewal of the employment contract.^[16]

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.^[17]

Academic achievement

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General DiPasquale reported the school was among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.^[18][19] He also reported the Pennsylvania Department of Education failed to take any action to remediate the poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.^[20]

Saint Clair Area School District is excluded from the Pittsburgh Business Times statewide honor roll ranking of school districts because it does not operate a high school.^[21]

In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Saint Clair Area School District, was in the 10th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) ^[22]

Elementary Middle School

Saint Clair Area Elementary Middle School is located at 227 South Mill Street, Saint Clair. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 570 pupils in grades kindergarten through 8th, with 52% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 19.6% of the pupils receive special education services, while none of its students are identified as gifted.^[23] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The School provides half day kindergarten.^[24] The school is a federally designated Title I school. From 2003 through 2014, Saint Clair Area provided full day kindergarten to all of its pupils. Beginning with the 2014-15 school year, the school will provide half day kindergarten.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the School reported an enrollment of 538 pupils in grades kindergarten through 8th, with 228 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 43 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.^[25] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 6 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[26]

2015 School Performance Profile

The PDE reported that 56% of 8th grade students at Saint Clair Area Middle/Elementary School students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, just 6% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 53% of the school’s 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported. In 7th grade, 40% were on grade level in reading, while 8% showed on grade level math skills. Among 6th graders, 46% were on grade level in reading and 20% were on grade level in mathematics. Among fifth graders, 53% of 5th grade students were on grade level in reading. In mathematics, 44% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 38% were on grade level in reading, while 27% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 62% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 39% were on grade level in reading and 16% were on grade level in mathematics.^[27] Statewide 58% of eighth (8th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 29% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Among sixth (6th) graders, 60.7% were reading on grade level, while 39.7% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Statewide 61.9% of fifth (5th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 42.8% demonstrated on grade level math skills.^[28]

2014 School Performance Profile

Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School achieved a score of 67.8 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 60.9% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 8th. In 3rd grade, 65% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 65% were on grade level (3rd-8th grades). In 4th grade science and 8th grade science, just 66% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 66% of 5th grade pupils and 8th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[29]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.^[30] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.^[31][32]

2013 School Performance Profile

Saint Clair Area Elementary Middle School achieved a score of 82.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 63% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 8th. In 3rd grade, only 68% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 68% were on grade level (3rd-8th grades). In 4th grade and 8th grade science, just 67% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 74% of 5th grade and 8th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.^[33] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

AYP status history

In 2012, Saint Clair Area Elementary Middle School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to missing all reading and math goals.^[34] In 2010 and 2011, Saint Clair Area Elementary School achieved AYP status, even though many pupils' academic achievement was below state levels.^[35][36] The first cohort of children who attended Accountability Block Grant funded full-day kindergarten reached third grade and took the PSSAs in the spring of 2008.

PSSA history

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are NCLB related examination given in the Spring of each school year. Sixth and seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999.^[37] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.^[38] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[39] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.^[40]

8th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 70% on grade level (8% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.^[41]
• 2011 - 76% (10% below basic). State - 81.8%^[42]
• 2010 - 74% (12% below basic). State - 81%^[43]
• 2009 - 71%, State - 80% ^[44]
• 2008 - 73%, State - 78% ^[45]
• 2007 - 75%, State - 75%^[46]

8th Grade Math

• 2012 - 43% on grade level (33% below basic). State - 76% ^[47]
• 2011 - 55% (15% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 - 64% (14% below basic). State - 75% ^[48]
• 2009 - 45%, State - 71% ^[49]
• 2008 - 64%, State - 70% ^[50]
• 2007 - 52%, State - 67%

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 47% on grade level (27% below basic). State - 59%^[51]
• 2011 - 58% (16% below basic). State – 58.3% ^[52]
• 2010 - 63% (18% below basic). State - 57%.^[53]
• 2009 - 48%, State: - 54%^[54]
• 2008 - 46%, State - 52% ^[55]

PSSA History

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.^[56] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.^[57][58][59] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.^[60]

5th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 56% on grade level (24% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 65% of 5th graders are on grade level.
• 2011 - 67% (14% below basic). State - 67.3%
• 2010 - 46% (21% below basic). State - 64%
• 2009 - 43%, State - 64%
• 2008 - 58%, State - 62%
• 2007 - 55%. State - 60%

5th Grade Math

• 2012 - 56% (27% below basic). State - 73%
• 2011 - 64% (16% below basic). State - 74%
• 2010 - 54% (19% below basic). State - 74%
• 2009 - 47%, State - 73%
• 2008 - 69%, State - 73%
• 2007 - 69%. State - 71%

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 73% (5% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 85% (2% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 88% (5% below basic). State - 81%
• 2009 - 89%, State - 83%^[61]
• 2008 - 90%, State - 81%

Special education

In December 2012, the District administration reported that 173 pupils or 29.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 45% iendtified students having a specific learning disability.^[63]

In December 2010, the District administration reported that 212 pupils or 25.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 45% iendtified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the District administration reported that 166 pupils or 30.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.^[64]

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.^[65][66]

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.^[67] 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.^[68] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.^[69] 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.^[70] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.^[71]

Saint Clair Area School District received a $551,070 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[72] For the 2011-12, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15 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.^[73][74]

State monitoring

In 2009, Saint Clair Area School District was identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Least Restrictive Environment monitoring. One hundred ninety six schools districts were selected in 2008-09. The district received an alert letter from the PDE - Bureau of Special Education.^[75] School districts were placed in one of three categories: Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3. The district was placed in Tier 3 due to students spending less than 21% of the school day, outside of regular education. The monitoring is a product of the PDE addressing its voluntary settlement in Gaskin V. Pennsylvania which ordered that special education students spend most of their school day (80%) in regular education classrooms with supplementary aids and services to assist funded by the taxpayers.^[76][77][78] In 2010, the district was assigned to the Tier 3 monitoring list, due to students placed in other settings. The district received a letter of “Warning” letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.^[79]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 2 children or 0.38% of its students were gifted in 2009.^[80] 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.^[81]

Bullying policy

The Saint Clair Area School District administration reported there were 2 incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.^[82][83]

The Saint Clair Area School Board has not provided the district's antibully policy online.^[84] 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.^[85] 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.^[86]

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.^[87]

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). An annual operating budget is prepared by school district administrative officials. A uniform form is furnished by the PDE and submitted to the board of school directors for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year on July 1.

Under Pennsylvania’s Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.^[88]

In 2013, the average teacher salary in Saint Clair Area School District was $47,053 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $22,392 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $69,445.^[89] The District employed 78 employees and administrators with an average salary of $47,592 and a top salary of $94,600.^[90][91]

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Saint Clair Area School District was $43,101.78 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $15,316.25 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $68,417.96.^[92] 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.^[93]

In 2009, the District reported employing over 47 teachers with a starting salary of $30,000.^[94] The average teacher salary was $41,075 while the maximum salary is $88,000.^[95] In Pennsylvania, the average teacher salary for Pennsylvania's 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977 in 2008.^[96] 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.^[97] Additionally, Saint Clair Area 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.^[98] 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.^[99]

In 2007, the District employed 37 teachers. The average teacher salary in the District was $42,104 for 180 school days worked.^[100]

Saint Clair Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $861.50 per pupil. The District ranked 133rd out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[101]

In 2008, Saint Clair Area School District reported spending $10,127 per pupil. This ranked 470th in the commonwealth.^[102] In 2010 the District's per pupil spending had increased to $10,456.52 ^[103] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.^[104] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.^[105] The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.^[106]

Reserves

In 2009, Saint Clair Area School District reported a $724,526.00 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $11,007.^[107] In 2010, Saint Clair Area Administration reported an increase to $1,298,313 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance and $18,751 in its designated reserve 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.^[108]

In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.^[109]

In 2010, Saint Clair Area School District hired a firm to fight the tax assessment appeal of the Schuylkill Mall.^[110] In 2012, the Court lowered the Mall's tax assessment $6 million. This lowered ins tax bill for the District dramatically. The District lost: $59,212 for 2010, $78,022 for 2011 and $68,564 for 2012.^[111] The mall is owned by Empire Realty Investments, Philadelphia.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, an annual Per Capita Tax tax $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 individual's wealth.^[112]

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Saint Clair Area School District receives 46.7% of its annual revenue from the state.^[113]

For the 2014-15 school year, Saint Clair Area School District received $3,069,039 in State Basic Education funding. The District will also receive $45,124 in Accountability Block Grant funding and $58,002 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State’s enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-2015 Basic Education Funding.^[114] The Education budget also includes Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system (PSERS). In total, Pennsylvania’s Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013-2014 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.^[115]

In the 2013-2014 school year, the Saint Clair Area School District received a 2.2 increase or $3,070,948 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $65,707 more than its 2012-2013 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Saint Clair Area School District received $45,124 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Schuylkill County, both SCASD and Blue Mountain School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 2.2%. The District has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth’s budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding.^[116] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent.^[117] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.^[118]

For the 2012-13 school year, Saint Clair Area School District received $3,050,390.^[119] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 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. Saint Clair Area School District received $45,124 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.^[120] This amount was a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 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 the 2011-12 school year, Saint Clair Area School District received a $3,006,955 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.^[121][122] Additionally, the Saint Clair Area School District received $82,324 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 2010-2011.^[123] 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.^[124] In 2010, the district reported that 272 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.^[125]

For the 2010-11 school year, Saint Clair Area School District received a 5.54% increase in state Basic Education Funding (BEF) resulting in a $3,318,432 payment.^[126] The highest increase in BEF in Schuylkill County went to Minersville Area School District which received a 9.96% increase in state funding. 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 received was set by Governor Edward 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.^[127]

In the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.96% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $3,144,235. 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, funds for special education students and more.^[128] Shenandoah Valley School District was the highest increase recipient in Schuylkill County with a 14.50% increase in Basic Education Funding, for the 2009-2010 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest increase in BEF, with a 22.31% increase in funding.^[129]

The state Basic Education Funding to the Saint Clair Area School District, in 2008-09, was $2,939,768. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 280 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.^[130]

All Pennsylvania school districts also receive additional funding from the state through several funding allocations, including: Reimbursement of Charter School Expenditures; Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; PA Accountability Grants; and low achieving schools were eligible for Educational Assistance Program Funding. Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including: Special Education funding and Title I funding for children from low income families. In 2010, Pennsylvania spent over $24 billion for public education - local, state and federal dollars combined.^[131] By 2015, Pennsylvania is spending over $27 billion on public education (local, state and federal resources combined).^[132]

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010-11, the Saint Clair Area School District applied for and received $122,479 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the seventh year.^[133][134]

Ready to Learn grant

Beginning in the 2014-2015 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the number of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the Districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.^[135]

Saint Clair Area School District received $103,126 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, PreK Counts funding, transportation reimbursement, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

Science It’s Elementary grant

Saint Clair Area Elementary School successfully applied to participate and received a Science It’s Elementary grant in 2008-09. For the 2008-09 school year, the program was offered in 143 schools reaching 2,847 teachers and 66,973 students across Pennsylvania.^[136] In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education initiated an effort to improve science instruction in the Commonwealth’s public elementary schools. Called Science: It’s Elementary, the program is a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.^[137] To encourage schools to adopt the program’s standards aligned curriculum, the state provided a grant to cover the costs of materials and extensive mandatory teacher training.^[138] The district was required to develop a three-year implementation plan for the participating school. They had to appoint a district liaison who was paid $3000 by PDE to serve as the conduit of all information between the district and the Department and its agents along with submitting orders and distributing supplies to implementing teachers. For the 2006-07 state education budget, $10 million was allocated. The 2006-07 State Education Budget provided $635 million in new spending for pre-K through 12th grades for the 2006-07 school year. This marks an 8-percent increase over 2005-06 public school funding.^[139] The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget.

Classrooms for the Future grant

Saint Clair Area School District does not operate a high school, it was, therefore, excluded from this state funding program. 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 2006-2009. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.^[140]

Other grants

The Saint Clair Area School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants;^[141][142] Education Assistance Grants; 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant;^[143] 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants; nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

Saint Clair Area School District received an extra $831,708 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.^[144][145] The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, the Governor and the Pennsylvania School Board Association, 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

Saint Clair Area 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.^[146] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.^{[147][148][149]} In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.^[150] 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.^[151]

English language learners grant

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to assist in educating immigrant children and children who are identified as limited English proficient.^[152] Upon registering for school a language survey is done for all new enrollment pupils, typically in kindergarten or preschool. They identify the primary language spoken at home. This data is collected and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which in turn notifies the federal government.^[153]

In 2012-13 Saint Clair Area School District received $543 in Title III funding for English language learners.^[154]

Common Cents state initiative

The Saint Clair Area 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.^[155] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

Saint Clair Area School Board set property tax rates in 2015-16 at 34.5.00 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. 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.^[156] When the school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.^[157] 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.^[158]

The average yearly property tax paid by Schuylkill County residents amounts to about 2.84% of their yearly income. Schuylkill County ranked 700th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.^[167] 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.^[168] 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%).^[169]

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.^[170] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index.^[171] Several 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.^[172][173]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Saint Clair Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.^[174]

For the 2015-16 budget year, Saint Clair Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit: for special education cost and for its rapidly rising teacher pension costs. For the school budget 2015-16, 310 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 187 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Regarding the pension costs exception, 172 school districts received approval to exceed the Index limit in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 119 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. No Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.^[181]

For the 2014-15 budget year, Saint Clair Area School Board applied for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit: for special education cost and for its rapidly escalating teacher pension costs. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher’s pension fund (PSERS).^[182] For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.^[183]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Saint Clair Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2013-14, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 16.93% of payroll payment to the teacher’s pension fund (PSERS). For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.^[184]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Saint Clair 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. 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.^[185]

For the 2011-12 school year, Saint Clair Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, Saint Clair 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.^[186]

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.^[187]

Saint Clair Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2010-11.^[188] 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.^[189]

Property tax relief

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Saint Clair Area School District was $73 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,013 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.^[190] 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.^[191] 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.^[192] 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.^[193]

Wellness policy

Saint Clair Area School Board has not provided a district wellness policy in its website.^[194] By law, the Board was mandated to develop and publish a district-wide wellness policy in 2006. The policy was required to deal 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." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.^[195]

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.^[196] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

The District offers both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[197] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[198]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[199] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.^[200] The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandates that Districts raise their full pay lunch prices every year until the price of non-subsidized lunches equals the amount the federal government reimburses schools for free meals. That subsidy in 2013-2014 was $2.93.

In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.^[201] The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.^[202]

Saint Clair Area School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. A nurse is available in the building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[203][204] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.^[205]

The District participated in Highmark Foundation’s Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools grant which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.^[206] Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.^[207]

Extracurriculars

The District provides taxpayer funded musical instrument lessons. There is a school band.^[208]

References