| Chambersburg Area School District | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 435 Stanley Ave Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Cumberland, 17201 United States |
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| Information | |
| School board | 9 elected members |
| Superintendent | Dr Joseph Padasak |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Kindergarten | 674 |
| Grade 1 | 650 |
| Grade 2 | 673 |
| Grade 3 | 706 |
| Grade 4 | 689 |
| Grade 5 | 679 |
| Grade 6 | 665 |
| Grade 7 | 661 |
| Grade 8 | 662 |
| Grade 9 | 645 |
| Grade 10 | 675 |
| Grade 11 | 617 |
| Grade 12 | 664 |
The Chambersburg Area School District is a public school district located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The district encompasses approximately 250 square miles, including the borough of Chambersburg, plus the townships of Hamilton, Greene, Lurgan, and Letterkenny, and a portion of Guilford Township. It operates the following schools: Andrew Buchanan Elementary, Guilford Hills Elementary, South Hamilton Elementary, Benjamin Chambers Elementary, Hamilton Heights Elementary, Thaddeus Stevens Elementary, Coldbrook Elementary, Lurgan Elementary, Chambersburg Area Middle School, Falling Spring Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Scotland Elementary, Marion Elementary, J. Frank Faust Junior High School, Fayetteville Elementary, New Franklin Elementary, Chambersburg Area Senior High School. In 2009, the US Census Bureau reported that the district's it serves a resident population of 56,283 residents had a per capita incomes of $20,572, while the districts' median family income was $47,354 a year.[2] In school year 2005-06, Chambersburg Area School District provided basic educational services to 8,337 pupils, while employing 559 teachers, 399 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 46 administrators. The Chambersburg Area School District received more than $27 million in state funding in school year 2005-06.
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The 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.[3] 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.[4]
Chambersburg Area School District was ranked 387th out of the 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated by 3 years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, math, and two years of science.[5]
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Chambversburg Area School District ranked 370th. In 2009 the district was 423rd. The paper describes the ranking as: "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."[8]
Chambersburg Area School District student achievement is in the bottom 20th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school district. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)[9]
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education identified Chambersburg Area Senior HIgh School and both of the middle schools as persistently low performing schools qualifying them for School Improvement Grants. The district received a state grant of $270,000 to be used to address the academic achievement issues in these three schools. The required reforms were outlined by the department of education.[10][11]
In 2011, the graduation rate was 90%.[12] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Chambersburg Area School District's rate was 87% for 2010.[13]
In 2011, Chambersburg Area Senior HIgh School declined to Corrective Action II 5th Year due to its ongoing failure to improve student achievement in mathematics. Science achievement is also very low.[17] In 2010, the high school was in Corrective Action II 4th Year due to chronically low student achievement.[18] In 2009, the high school was in Corrective Action II 3rd Year for continuing low student achievement.
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 16% of Chambersburg Area School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[28] 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.[29] 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 school offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school, including the graduation ceremony. 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.[30]> Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[31] 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.[32]
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $12,909 for the program.[33]
The Chambersburg Area School Board has determined that in order to graduate a student must earn 23.5 credits including: 4 Credit Units of English; 4 Credit Units of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th math); 3.5 Credit Units of Social Science (Early Am. Hist., World Hist., Am. Hist., and Civics); 3 Credit Units of Science (Biology plus 2 other sciences); 2 Credit Units of Wellness and Fitness; 6.5 Credit Units of Electives; 0.25 Credit Units of Driver’s Education; 0.25 Credit Units of Speech.
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.[34] Chambersburg Area Senior High School requires the completion of a Junior Project to fulfill this requirement. The Junior Project is completed in conjunction with their junior English class.[35]
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.[36]
In 2011, Faust Junior HIgh School declined to Corrective Action II 3rd Year due to low student achievement in mathematics.[37] In 2010, the school was in Making Progress: in Corrective Action II for chronically low student achievement.[38] In 2009, the school was in Corrective Action II 2nd Year for chronically low student achievement. Faust Junior high School is an eighth and ninth grade school.
In 2011, Chambersburg Area Middle School achieved AYP status.[43] For both 2011 and 2010, the school reported a student attendance rate of 94%.[44] In 2010, the school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement II for low student achievement.[45] In 2009, the school was in School Improvement II for chronically low student achievement.[46]
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In 2011, twelve of the district's 13 elementary schools achieved AYP status. Benjamin Chambers Elementary School declined to School Improvement I status due to chronic low student achievement in reading and mathematics.[48]
The school reported an attendance rate of 94% in 2011.[49] Benjamin Chambers Elementary School declined to School Improvement I status due to chronic low student achievement in reading and mathematics.[50] In 2010 the school was in Warning status due to low student achievement in reading and math. According to No Child Left Behind, Benjamin Chambers Elementary School was required to offer students the choice to transfer to another school in the district not in School Improvement.[51]
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In December 2009, the district administration reported that 1330 pupils or 15.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[53]
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 Supervisor.[54]
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815 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.[55]
Chambersburg Area School District received a $3,749,820 supplement for special education services in 2010.[56] 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.[57]
The District Administration reported that 167 or 1.97% of its students were gifted in 2009.[58] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[59]
In 2007, the district employed 501 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,325 for 181 days worked.[60] 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.[61] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits.[62] 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.[63] In 2009, the district employs over 700 teacher's salaries range from $40,000 to $120,000.[64]
The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $695 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[65] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to Dave Salter, director of public relations for the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007-08 school year was $122,165. The school board extended the employment contract of Dr Padasak, superintendent in July 2009. He had a five year contract with an initial salary of $140,501. Padasak is eligible for raises up to 6.9%. He will receive an extensive set of benefits. He also received a $2,810 bonus.[66] In May 2010 the board approved an agreement between the school district and its Act 93 employees, which includes principals, assistant principals, supervisors and coordinators. The one-year agreement has no increase in salaries for the administrators for the 2010-2011 school year. It maintains the employees' contribution for health care insurance at its current rate of 7 percent.[67]
Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $3,671,876.00.[68]
In 2008, the district reported spending $10,867 per pupil.[69]
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the person's wealth.[70]
In 2011-12, Chambersburg Area School District received a $18,895,640 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[71] Additionally, the district will receive $402,836 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.[72] 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.[73]
In 2010, the district reported that 8,523 students received free or reduced price lunches due to low family income.
For the 2010-11 school year, the state gave a 7.08% increase in basic education funding to the Chambersburg Area School District for $20,838,732. This was the highest increase in BEF allotted to schools in Franklin County. In the commonwealth, the highest increase in state funding went to Kennett Consolidated School District which received a 23.65% increase. Among the 500 Pennsylvania public school district, 150 received the base 2% increase in 2010.[74]
In 2009-2010, Chambersburg Area School District received an 4.58% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $19,460,295. The highest increase in Franklin County went to Tuscarora School District with a 5.50% increase. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increase 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 Chambersburg Area School District in 2008-09 was $18,608,029.20.[75] 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.[76]
In 2008, the district reported that 2,728 students received free or reduced price lunches due to low family income.[77]
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 Chambersburg Area School District applied for and received $1,093,399 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide Full Day Kindergarten, for tutoring before and after school, to revise and develop curriculum and to provide extensive teacher training to improve instruction including teacher coaches.[78][79]
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 Chambersburg Area School District received $444,559.[80]
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. Chambersburg Area School District was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 it did not apply for funding. In 2008-09 it received $142,237. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards[81]
The district received an extra $5,008,267 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This was in addition to all regular state and federal funding.[82] This funding is for 2009-10 to 2010-2011 school years.
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district millions of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Chambersburg Area School District was identified as a turnaround school district due to the chronically poor academic achievement of its high school students. This means the district would receive an extra $700 per pupil funding in addition to the basic Race to the Top Grant funding.[83] 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.[84] 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.[85]
Chamberburg School District and KLAS of PA was designated as a before and after school program provider. They receive state funding through grant of $180,000. CCLCs provide academic, artistic and cultural enhancement activities to students and their families when school is not in session.[86]
The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2010, Chambersburg Area School District was awarded $4,500 to design and install a rain garden on school grounds to manage stormwater and integrate it into the curriculum.[87]
Property tax rates in 2011 were set at 92.7570 mills by the Chambersburg Area School Board. 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.[88] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[89] Franklin County has not had a county-wide reassessment since 1961.
The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[94]
The School District Adjusted Index for the Chambersburg Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.[95]
For the 2011-12 school year, Chambersburg Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. The exceptions applied for were grandfathered debt and Maintenance of Local Tax Effort. Each year, Waynesboro 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.[99]
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.[100]
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.[101] Chambersburg Area School Board sought the following exceptions: Maintenance of local effort, Maintenance of selected revenue sources, pension obligations, School Construction project.[102]
In 2008, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Chambersburg Area School District was set at $82 per approved permanent primary residence.[103] The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres (40,000 m2) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.[104]
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, so people who make 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.
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%).[105]
Chambersburg Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[106] 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.[107]
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
The Chambersburg Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and sport. The school board determines eligibility for participation in coordination with respective individual governing organizations.[108] Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
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.[109]