| Central Dauphin School District | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 600 Rutherford Road Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dauphin, 17109 United States |
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| Information | |
| Superintendent | Dr. Luis B. Gonzalez [1] |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Age | 5 to 19 |
| Kindergarten | 654 |
| Grade 1 | 826 |
| Grade 2 | 823 |
| Grade 3 | 842 |
| Grade 4 | 819 |
| Grade 5 | 814 |
| Grade 6 | 827 |
| Grade 7 | 835 |
| Grade 8 | 804 |
| Grade 9 | 830 |
| Grade 10 | 850 |
| Grade 11 | 877 |
| Grade 12 | 769 |
| Website | http://www.cdschools.org/ |
The Central Dauphin School District is a large, suburban, public school district located in suburban Harrisburg, Pennsylvania serving students in central and eastern Dauphin County. It is the largest school district in the county, the largest in the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area and is the 13th largest school district in Pennsylvania. The district covers the Boroughs of Dauphin, Paxtang and Penbrook and Lower Paxton Township, Middle Paxton Township, Swatara Township and West Hanover Township. It was created in 1954, combining four smaller districts.[3] The district encompasses approximately 118 square miles (310 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 83,750. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income was $23,896, while the median family income was $56,338. [4] Per school district officials, for school year 2007-08 the Central Dauphin School District provided basic educational services to 10,818 pupils through the employment of 802 teachers, 260 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 81 administrators. Total enrollment as of 2005-06 was 11,750 students.[3] It operates its own transportation system, which it rents out to private schools within the district's borders.
Central Dauphin School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[5] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "B-" 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.[6]
The district is served by the Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 which offers a variety of services including: a completely developed K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.
Current members of the school board and the years their terms expire:
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The district operates two high schools (9th-12th), four middle schools (6th-8th), and 13 elementary schools (grades K-5th).
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Central Dauphin School District was ranked 293rd out of 497 Pennsylvania school districts in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic achievement on five years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing, math and three years of science.[7]
In 2011, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Central Dauphin ranked 428th. The paper 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 lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations." [9]
Central Dauphin School District students academic achievement falls in the 39th percentile in Pennsylvania public school districts in 2009. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best). [11]
In 2011, the high school is in Corrective Action II 5th Year status due to continuing low scores. The school was in Corrective Action II 4th Year due to chronically low academic achievement in 2010. [12] The school was in Corrective Action II 3rd Year in 2009.
In 2011, the graduation rate was 91%. [13] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Central Dauphin School District's rate was 91% for 2010. [14]
The school is in Made AYP status in 2010 and 2011. [23] The school was in Did not Make AYP status in 2009.
In 2010, Central Dauphin Senior High School 11th graders were ranked 29th among high schools and charter schools, in Pennsylvania, for mathematics academic achievement.[28]
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 37% of Central Dauphin School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[29] 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.[30] 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.
The high schools offer a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[31] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[32] 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.[33] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $15,027 for the program. Students who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the district's program by Pennsylvania law.
The Central Dauphin School Board has determined that a high school student must earn 24 credits in order to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Health 0.5 credit, Arts and Humanities 1 credit, Graduation project 0.5 credit and 6 elective credits. [34]
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.[35] At Central Dauphin graduation projects require a portfolio which includes: research, an activity log, a reflection paper, and a final presentation of the project. The project may focus on career options, service options or academic options which are all described in the graduation project manual for students.
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores count for at least one-third of the final course grade.[36]
In 2011, the school is in Warning status. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status. [37]
In 2011, the was in Warning status. In 2010, the school was in AYP status. [42]
In 2011, the school was in Warning status and in 2010 the school was in AYP status. [47]
In 2011, the school is in Corrective Action I status due to continuing low student achievement. [51] In 2010, the school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement II status. In 2009, the school was in School Improvement II level due to chronically low student achievement.
8th Grade Science:
Central Dauphin School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[55] 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.[56]
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 1,514 pupils or 15% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[57]
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 Special Education Department.[58]
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.[59]
Central Dauphin School District received a $5,129,786 supplement for special education services in 2010.[60]
For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010. 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. [61]
The District Administration reported that 410 or 3.76% of its students were gifted in 2009. [62] 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. [63]
In 2010, the administration reported there was 1 reported episode of bullying in the district. There were 47 incidents of fighting, 24 episodes of simple assault on students, and 22 students were placed in Alternative Education. Thirty four thefts occurred during the school year 2009-10. [64] [65]
The Central Dauphin School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty in its Bullying Policy. [66] The policy defines bullying and cyberbullying. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation on students may occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying. The board expects staff members to be responsible to maintain an educational environment free from all forms of bullying. Consequences for Central Dauphin students, who are found to have bullied others include: counseling, a parental conference, detention, suspension, expulsion, a loss of school privileges and/or exclusion from school-sponsored activities.
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 and are required to review their antibullying policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[67] 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. [68]
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.[69]
In 2007, the district employed 774 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,453 for 180 days worked.[70]
Central Dauphin School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $612.16 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[71] The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that in 2008 the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165.[72] In July 2009, the school board hired Luis B. Gonzalez as superintendent at a starting salary of $150,000 in a three year contract.[73]
In 2008, Central Dauphin School District reported spending $13,630 per pupil. This ranked 130th in the commonwealth.[74]
Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $2,500,000.00 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $10,040,904.00.[75]
In August 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the school board members and the administration.[76]
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a local real property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, and a per capita tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government.[77] Grants provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth. [78]
In 2011-12, the district will receive $15,559,101 in state Basic Education Funding. [79] Additionally, the district will receive $364,588 in Accountability Block Grant funding. In 2010, the district reported that 3,053 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level. 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.[80]
For 2010-11, the state provided Central Dauphin School District a 6.14% increase of Basic Education Funding for a total of $17,104,950.[81] Susquehanna Township School District received the highest increase in the county - an 15.89% increase. In Pennsylvania, one hundred fifty school districts received a 2% increase in basic education funding. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[82] 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.[83]
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.15% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $16,115,930. Seven Dauphin County school districts received increases of over 4.5% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Susquehanna Township School District received an 10.66% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Central Dauphin School District in 2008-09 was $15,474,329.14 [84]
In 2008, the district reported that 2,654 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
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 Central Dauphin School District applied for and received $989,584 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide Full Day Kindergarten for the 7th year. [85][86]
Central Dauphin School District was denied a grant under Classrooms for the Future 2006 The grant was to purchase computers for the high school students' use along with paying for mandatory teacher training to optimize the computers' use.[87] Computers were for core academic courses: English, Math, Science, and History. [88] In 2007 the district received $368,155. The district received the final payment of $207,881 for the 2008-09 school year. In total the district received: $576,036 in state funds. This money was in addition to all regular state and federal funding. [89] [90]
Classrooms For the Future was launched in 2006 as a three-year, $200 million project. It calls for a laptop computer for every high school student and teacher. [91] An audit by the Pennsylvania Auditor General found that over three years, PDE eventually gave at least partial funding to all, but four school districts, who applied for Classrooms for the Future grants. [92]
In 2010, the Administration applied for and was awarded a $2,099,888 grant, by the state and federal government. The money had to be used to transform the high school. The Transformation process specifies that the administration use of rigorous, transparent, and equitable evaluation systems for teachers and principals, high-quality professional development and design and development of curriculum with teacher and principal involvement. The school qualified for the grant due to the chronic low student achievement. [93] [94]
The district received an extra $4,852,518 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[95] The funding is for 2009-2011 school years.
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. [96] Several Mercer County school districts applied for funding. [97] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[98] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[99] 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. [100]
The school board elected to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. [101] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
In Spring 2011, the Central Dauphin School Board set the property taxes rate at 13.8600 mills for the 2011-12 school year. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. [102]
The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2010-2011 school year is 2.9 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. [107]
The School District Adjusted Index for the Central Dauphin School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.[108]
For the 2011-12 school year, the Central Dauphin School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Central Dauphin 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 each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. [111]
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. [112]
Central Dauphin School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11.[113] [114] 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. [115]
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Central Dauphin School District was $111 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 23,303 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Dauphin County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2009, went to Harrisburg City School District at $446.[116] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres (40,000 m2) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Dauphin County, 68.71% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[117] 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.[118]
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 make substantially more than $35,000 a year, may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).[119]
The schools offers an extensive and costly variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined vi school board policies. [120] [121]
In 2010, the school board established a Taskforce that examine spending in extracurriculars. The committee found substantial redundancy which added to costs. Discussions included the 4 middle schools which each have a varsity and junior varsity basketball team and combining the middle school teams from 4 individual schools to 2 combined teams/schools. [122]
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.[123]
Controversies involving the school district include a recent decision to sell the current bus fleet to an outside provider, as well as a plan to merge Central Dauphin and Central Dauphin East High School into one school.