| East Allegheny School District | |
|---|---|
| Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts. East Allegheny School District (green) is shown in the lower right-hand corner. | |
| Address | |
| 1150 Jacks Run Road North Versailles, Pennsylvania, Allegheny, 15137 United States |
|
| Information | |
| Superintendent | Mr. Roger A. D'Emidio |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Kindergarten | 123 |
| Grade 1 | 135 |
| Grade 2 | 154 |
| Grade 3 | 134 |
| Grade 4 | 125 |
| Grade 5 | 128 |
| Grade 6 | 119 |
| Grade 7 | 137 |
| Grade 8 | 131 |
| Grade 9 | 167 |
| Grade 10 | 187 |
| Grade 11 | 164 |
| Grade 12 | 175 |
| Other | Enrollment projected to decline to 1794 by 2015[1] |
| Mascot | Wildcats |
| Website | http://www.eawildcats.net/ |
The East Allegheny School District is a midsized, suburban, public school district covering the Boroughs of East McKeesport, Wall and Wilmerding and North Versailles Township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The East Allegheny School District encompasses approximately 5 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 16,340. In 2009, the residents' per capita income was $16,497, while the median family income was $37,169.[2] According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the East Allegheny School District provided basic educational services to 1,883 pupils through the employment of 130 teachers, 65 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators. The East Allegheny School District received more than $10.2 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
The district operates East Allegheny High School (9th-12th), Logan Middle School (4th-8th), Green Valley Primary School (1st-3rd) and East Allegheny Early Childhood Center (preK-K).
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The 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.[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 "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.[4]
The East Allegheny School Board's meeting minutes and policy manual are available in the district's website.
In 2011, the East Allegheny School District ranked 434th out of 498 Pennsylvania districts. The ranking is based on five years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in reading, writing, math and three years of science.[5]
East Allegheny School District was ranked 86th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on four years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and three years of science.[8] In 2009, the school district ranked 79th among 105 local schools. In 2008, the school district ranked 77th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts.
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the East Allegheny School District was in the 15th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)[9]
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. East Allegheny School District's rate was 82% for 2010.[10]
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
In 2010, the high school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I status due to low student achievement.[14] The high schools was in School Improvement I AYP status in 2009.
Additionally, the high school ranked 93rd out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools for student academic achievement.[15]
College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 53% of East Allegheny 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.[23] 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.[24] 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. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities 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.[25] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[26] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $16,490 for the program.
Serves grades 4th through 8th. In 2010, the school is in Warning status due to declining student achievement. In 2009, the school achieved AYP status.[27] The school was formerly called Westinghouse Elementary School. In 2010, the attendance rate was 93%. In 2008-09 the new Logan Middle School building replaced Westinghouse Elementary School. Grades 4th through 6th are on the second floor of the building, while grades 7th and 8th were established on the first floor.[28]
The middle school eighth grade ranked 82nd out of 141 western Pennsylvania eighth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by three years of results on: math, reading, writing and one year of science PSSAs.[29]
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
Provides Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Employees 40 full time certified teachers. The school achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2009.[32] In 2010, the school reported a 93% attendance rate.
Provides taxpayer funded preschools and kindergarten. Pre-K Counts and Head Start serves children who are three to five-years old. Eligible families can earn up to three times the federal poverty level, or about $67,050 a year for a family of four. In addition to providing child care, the programs prepare children for reading and math, but also for paying attention, following directions and getting along with others.
In December 2009 the district administration reported that 367 pupils or 18.8% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[34][35]
Abiding by state and federal laws, 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, visual acuity, 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 building principal or the Director of Pupil Personnel. An Individual Educational Program (IEP) is developed for specialized services for an eligible student who needs these services. Services for students with severe disabilities are also available at Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3 Centers.[36]
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.[37]
East Allegheny School District received a $1,098,918 supplement for special education services in 2010.[38]
For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. 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.[39]
The District Administration reported that 21 or 1% of its students were gifted in 2009.[40] 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.[41]
In 2010, the administrative reported there were 26 incidents of bullying in the district.[42][43]
The East Allegheny School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. 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 shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.[44] The board expects staff members to be responsible to maintain an educational environment free from all forms of bullying. 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.[45] 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.[46]
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.[47]
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, there are 1888 students enrolled in K-12 in 2009. There were 161 students in the Class of 2009. The Class of 2016 is project to be 138. Enrollment in the East Allegheny School District is projected to continue to decline to 1793 in 2015.[48] East Allegheny School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $804.26 per pupil. This ranked 193rd among the 500 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[49]
In 2009, a proposal was made by a local advocate, David Wassel, to consolidate Allegheny County school districts to save tax dollars and improve student services. The proposal was that East Allegheny School District and Gateway School District join with Penn-Trafford School District.[50]
A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was 3000 pupils.[51] Consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in the schools' communities.[52] According to a proposal made in 2009 by Governor Edward G Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to substantially reduce property taxes.[53] Consolidation of the central administrations into one would not require the closing of any local schools.
In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district, would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion dollars without forcing the consolidation of any school buildings.[54] The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration.[55]
More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).[56]
Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[57] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[58]
In 2009, the district employed 150 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $60,655 for 180 days worked. The beginning salary was $41,647, while the highest salary was $117,835.[59][60] Teachers work an 7 hour day, with one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch included. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, 5 paid bereavement days, 1 year paid sabbatical leave and other benefits. The district offers a retirement stipend that includes payment for unused sick days of up to $7,500. The union receives 20 paid days per year to conduct union business, including travel outside of the district.[61] According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[62]
In 2007, the district employed 110 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $56,052 for 180 days worked. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977.[63] 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.[64][65]
On July 1, 2006, the school board awarded a five year contract to Roger A. D'Emidio, as Superintendent, with an initial salary of $110,000 and a 3% annual rase. It also provides for an extensive benefits package including: health insurance, $500,000 in life insurance, paid travel and dues expenses and a defined benefit pension with paid health insurance until age 65.[66]
In 2008, per pupil spending at East Allegheny School District was $13,690 for each child which ranked 122nd, in the state.[67]
Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of -$15,296.00.[68]
In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the district. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration.[69]
The district is funded by a combination of: a local 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 provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Pension income and Social Security income are both exempted from state income tax and local income tax regardless of the level of income.[70]
In 2011-12, the district will receive $5,964,363 in state Basic Education Funding.[71] Additionally, the district will receive $161,135 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]
For the 2010-11 budget year, the East Allegheny School District received a 2% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $6,543,126. In Allegheny County, the highest increase went to South Fayette Township School District which received an 11.32% increase in state funding. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was given to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was given a 23.65% increase in state funding.[73] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.[74]
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 7.69% increase in Basic Education funding for East Allegheny School District a total of $6,414,830. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $5,956,693.16. The highest increase in Allegheny County went to Chartiers Valley School District which received 8.19% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received an increase of 22.31 percent which was the highest in the commonwealth. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase.[75]
In 2009, the district reported having 753 students participating in the federal free and reduced lunch program due to low family income.[76]
The state provides supplemental funding in the form of accountability block grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses. East Allegheny School District uses its $437,360 to fund All Day Kindergarten and to pay for extensive training for teachers. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding.[77] The 2008-09 school year was the second year the district offered all day kindergarten to its pupils. Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants.[78] In 2009-10 the state provided $271.4 million dollars in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all day kindergartens.[79]
In 2007 08, East Allegheny School Board, applied for and received a grant from the PA Department of Education for over to purchase equipment to help reform the high school's core subjects instruction and to prepare students for future employment by using cutting-edge equipment and software. The district used the funds to purchase laptops for students, laptops for teachers, laptop carts and other digital equipment. The district also received substantial funds to upgrade our existing network infrastructure. The grant provided additional funding for a technology coach to instruct teachers in using the equipment to improve instruction. In 2006-07 the district did not apply for funding. In 2007-08, the district received $155,662. In 2008, the district received an additional $45,4133 for computers and related equipment.[80] Since 2006, Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future program has distributed more than $150 million for laptops, interactive boards and other high-tech tools in 543 high schools. In 2009 the state funding program was terminated due to a deep state budget shortfall.[81]
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 East Allegheny School District received $$47,711.[82]
The district received an extra $630,933 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[83] The funding was for 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
Additionally, in 2010, the district applied for and will receive an extra $15 million in federal stimulus funding for construction projects.[84] This funding is from the federal Qualified School Construction Bond Program. In order to qualify the school district's 2007-2008 equalized millage must be greater than or equal to 19.0 or the school district must be in a county designated distressed for 2010 by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the school district's October 2008 Free and Reduced Lunch percentage must be greater than or equal to 45 percent; or the school district's average daily membership must have increased between 2002–2003 and 2007-2008 by more than 500 or by more than 10 percent. Additionally, 100 percent of available project proceeds must be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities, equipment for these facilities, or related site acquisition. In Pennsylvania, 46 school districts received more than $600 million in bonds made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Pennsylvania's allocation for the Qualified School Construction Bonds was $602 million – the sixth largest allocation in the nation. Under the program, the federal government pays essentially 100 percent of the interest on the QSCB bonds, which are issued under the recovery act's Build America Bonds program.[85]
East Allegheny School District officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to over one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[86] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[87] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. East Allegheny School District was identified as a turnaround school district due to low student academic achievement. This means it would receive an additional $700–$900 per pupil to advance academic achievement.[88] Pennsylvania was not approved in the for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[89]
For 2011-12, the school board set real estate taxes at 27.54 mills.[90] 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. Pennsylvania 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.[91]
The East Allegheny Board of Directors offers an option for installment payments of real estate taxes on approved Homestead and Farmstead Property pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1 of 2006).
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 it 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.[96]
The School District Adjusted Index for the East Allegheny School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[97]
For the 2011-12 school year the East Allegheny School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the East Allegheny 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 publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[98]
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.[99]
For the 2010-11 school year budget, the East Allegheny School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index.[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]
In 2011, property tax relief was set at $232 for the 4,135 approved homesteads.[102] In Allegheny County, the highest tax relief went to Duquesne City School District which was set at $351.
In 2010, property tax relief was set at $233 for the 4,129 approved homesteads.[103] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the East Allegheny School District was $234 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 4108 property owners applied for the property tax relief. In Allegheny County, the highest tax relief went to Duquesne City School District which was set at $348. The highest property tax relief, among Pennsylvania school districts, went to the homesteads of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County which received $632 per approved homestead in 2010. This was the second year they received this amount.[104] 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 Allegheny County, 60% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[105]
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 whose income is far 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.[106]
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%).[107]
East Allegheny School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[108] 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 Superintendent annually reports to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.[109]
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 and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, 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.[110]
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is set through school board policy.[111]
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.[112]