| Fannett-Metal School District | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 14823 Path Valley Rd. Willow Hill, Pennsylvania 17271 |
|
| Information | |
| Dean | Brian D. Zimmerman (Middle/High School) |
| Principal | Michelle D. Hall (Elementary School) |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Kindergarten | 43 |
| Grade 1 | 46 |
| Grade 2 | 39 |
| Grade 3 | 41 |
| Grade 4 | 38 |
| Grade 5 | 39 |
| Grade 6 | 55 |
| Grade 7 | 29 |
| Grade 8 | 36 |
| Grade 9 | 47 |
| Grade 10 | 51 |
| Grade 11 | 52 |
| Grade 12 | 42 |
| Athletics conference | PIAA District V |
| Website | Fannett-Metal School District |
The Fannett-Metal School District is a public school district that spans Fannett and Metal townships in Franklin County as well as a small portion of Toboyne Township in Perry County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses approximately 128 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 4,091. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the Fannett-Metal School District provided basic educational services to 580 pupils through the employment of 50 teachers, 35 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 3 administrators.
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.[2] 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 "D-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[3]
Contents
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There are three schools, which are located on the same campus.
Fannett-Metal School District was ranked 470th out of the 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated by 5 years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, math, and three years of science. [4]
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Fannett-Metal ranked 494th. In 2009 the district was 494th. The paper describes the ranking as: "the 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."[7]
In 2009 the district ranked in the bottom 9th percentile for student academic achievement among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.[8]
In 2011, the graduation rate was 97%. [9] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. School District's rate was 84% for 2010. [10]
In 2011, Fannett-Metal Junior Senior HIgh School declined into Warning status due to lagging student achievement in math. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status. [14]
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 30% of Fannett-Metal 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, 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.[25] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[26] 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.[27]
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $9,395 for the program.[28]
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.[29]
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 shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade. [30]
In December 2008, the district reported that 96 pupils were receiving special education services.[36] Fannett-Metal School District provides a wide spectrum of special education services. Parents request an evaluation for services in writing. The district is required to conduct child find activities for children who may be eligible for services via Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. [37]
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. [38]
Fannett-Metal School District received a $325,433 supplement for special education services in 2010.[39]
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. [40]
In 2007, the district employed 42 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $43,006 for 181 days worked.[41] 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.[42] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, retirement bonus and other benefits.[43] 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.[44] In 2009, the district employs over 50 teachers with a salary range of $37,000 to $93,000.[45]
The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $871.34 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[46] In 2009, Superintendent, Dixie Paruch's salary was $93,000. Additionally, she receives a benefits package that includes: health insurance, life insurance, dues, travel and more.[47] In June 2010, Ms Paruch unexpectedly resigned.[48] 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.[49]
Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $138,357.00 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $722,644.00.[50]
Per pupils spending - $11,323 in 2008[51]
In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor GEneral conducted a performance audit of the school district administration. The findings were reported to the school board and the administration. [52]
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax of 1%, 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.[53] 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.[54]
In 2011-12, the Fannett-Metal School District received $2,175,418 in state Basic Education Funding. [55] Additionally, the district received $31,371 in Accountability Block Grant funding. [56] The Pennsylvania Department of Education reports that 171 pupils received a federal free and reduced lunch, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education provided the district with a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $2,263,305. The highest increase in Franklin County went to Chambersburg Area School District which received an 7.09% increase in state funding. One hundred and fifty school districts received the base 25 increase. In Pa the highest increase went to Kennett Consolidated School District which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[57] 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. [58]
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding, to the Fannett-Metal School District, for a total of $2,218,926. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $2,175,418.12. [59] The district also received supplemental funding for: Title I (federal funding for low income students), for district size, a poverty supplement from the Commonwealth and more. In Franklin County, the highest state funding increase was 5.50% to Tuscarora School District. The highest increase in the state went to Muhlenberg School District of Berks County which received a 22.31% increase.[60]
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 163 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.[61]
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 Fannett-Metal School District applied for and received $85,150 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide all day kindergarten for the sixth year. [62][63]
The district received extra state funding for technology upgrades at the high school including: computers, networking and mandatory teacher training. In 2008-09 the district received $45,413. [64] The state's goal was to provide laptop computers for each student in high school english, math, science and social studies classroom. [65]
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.[66] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
The district received an extra $600,385 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.[67] [68] This funding is for 2009-2011 school years. According to Dixie Pauch, superintendent of Fannett-Metal School District, the funds will be used to modernize the school buildings by updating security, repairing roofs and updating facilities.[69]
School district officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[70] 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. [71] Pennsylvania was not approved in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state Race to the Top application judging will occur in June 2010. [72]
The district received $91,200 from the Federal Leave No Child Behind Act. The Reading First Initiative is a voluntary six-year program designed to help all children read well by supporting scientifically-based, comprehensive reading instruction for children in Kindergarten through third grade. The program is designed to support proven methods in teaching, screening, diagnosis and monitoring of reading difficulties among children as well as high quality professional development for teachers. [73]
Fannett-Metal School District was eligible for $85,783 for Fiscal Year 2008 Title II, Part A allocation amount.[74] The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to rural districts to assist them in meeting their state's definition of adequate yearly progress (AYP). Applicants do not compete, but rather are entitled to funds if they meet basic eligibility requirements. Eligibility is restricted by statute. Awards are issued annually directly to eligible LEAs on a formula basis.[75]
The school board set property taxes for Franklin County residents at 71.5000 mills. Properties in Perry Conty will be taxed at 9.5100 mills. [76]
Property tax rates in 2009 were set at 66.1500 mills for residents in Franklin County while Perry County residents pay 8.9100 mills.[77] School districts located in more than one county are required to apportion the tax levy based on the market value in each county as determined by the State Tax Equalization Board pursuant to section 672.1 of the School Code. As a result, the tax rate increases are not the same for each county in a multi-county school district.[78] 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.
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.[79]
The School District Adjusted Index for the Fannett-Metal School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[80]
For the 2011-12 school year, the Fannett-Metal School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Every year, the Fannett-Metal 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. [81]
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. [82]
In 2010, the Fannett-Metal School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. [83] [84] 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.[85]
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Fannett-Metal School District was set per approved permanent primary residence.[86] 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. The highest property tax relief was given to property owners in the Chester Upland School District in Delaware County who got $632 in 2010 and in 2009.
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 with income substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
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%).[87]
Enrollment in Fannett-Metal School District is projected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to decline to 530 pupils by 2015. [88] Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline.[89] As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools will continue to rise. An analysis done at Penn State found that big rural school districts also have significantly higher standardized test scores (PSSA, SAT and ACT) than small ones. Further analyses indicated that school district size has no direct effect on student achievement.[90]
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. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007. [91] This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[92] 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.[93]
Fannett-Metal School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[94] 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 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.[95] The policy requires that the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
The Fannett-Metal School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and interscholastic athletics. The school board determines eligibility for participation in coordination with respective individual governing organizations.[96] Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics 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.[97]
Lincoln Intermediate Unit (IU#12) region includes: Adams County, Franklin County and York County. The agency provides Fannett-Metal Schools, charter schools located in Franklin County, the district's home schooled students and area private schools many services including: Special education services, combined purchasing, and instructional technology services. It runs Summer Academy which offers both art and academic strands designed to meet the individual needs of gifted, talented and high achieving students. Additional services include: Curriculum Mapping, Professional Development for school employees, Adult Education, Nonpublic School Services, Business Services, Migrant & ESL (English as a Second Language), Instructional Services, Special Education, Management Services, and Technology Services. The IU offers preemployment screening including fingerprinting for prospective public school employees. [98] It also provides a GED program to adults who want to earn a high school diploma and literacy programs. The Lincoln Intermediate Unit is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors, each a member of a local school board from the 25 school districts. Board members are elected by school directors of all 25 school districts for three-year terms that begin July 1.[99] There are 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania. They are funded by school districts, state and federal program specific funding and grants. IUs do not have the power to tax.