| Gettysburg Area School District | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Adams County South Central Pennsylvania United States |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Superintendent | Larry R. Redding |
| Grades | K - 12th |
| Enrollment | 3161 (2009-10) [1] |
| Kindergarten | 230 |
| Grade 1 | 223 |
| Grade 2 | 202 |
| Grade 3 | 222 |
| Grade 4 | 263 |
| Grade 5 | 215 |
| Grade 6 | 239 |
| Grade 7 | 218 |
| Grade 8 | 227 |
| Grade 9 | 244 |
| Grade 10 | 270 |
| Grade 11 | 277 |
| Grade 12 | 331 |
The Gettysburg Area School District is a mid sized, public school district which serves students in a 185-square-mile (480 km2) area of Adams County, Pennsylvania which includes Gettysburg Borough, as well as Cumberland, Freedom, Highland, Franklin and parts of Mt. Joy and Straban Townships. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 26,205 people. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income was $18,982, while median family income was $50,396 a year.[2] According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the Gettysburg Area School District provided basic educational services to 3,409 pupils. At the time, the district employed 256 teachers, 164 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 27 administrators. Gettysburg Area School District received more than $12.8 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
The District operates three elementary schools (two grades K-3, and one grades 4-5), one middle school (grades 6-8) and one high school (grades 9-12.)
Contents |
Gettysburg Area 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 President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act which mandates the district focus resources on student reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "C-" 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]
| Name | Level | Information | Academic Achievement Report Card |
| Gettysburg Area High School | 9-12 | A new facility was built and moved into in January 1998. Sports Mascot: Warriors. Principal: Mark Blanchard | Report Card 2010 [1] |
| Gettysburg Area Middle School | 6-8 | Formerly Gettysburg Area Junior High School. Sports Mascot: Braves. Principal: Steve Litten | Report Card 2010 [2] |
| Lincoln Elementary School | 4-5 | Former site of Gettysburg Area High School. Named for former President Abraham Lincoln, who visited Gettysburg in November 1863 when he delivered his famous Gettysburg Address. Principal: Cathy Harner | Report Card 2010 [3] |
| Eisenhower Elementary School | K-3 | Named for former General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose farm in Gettysburg served as a weekend retreat and meeting place for world leaders. The farm is part of the Eisenhower National Historic Site which is maintained by the National Park Service. In June 2011, the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Education voted to approve the resolution to close Eisenhower Elementary, effective for the upcoming school year. The school building will now be occupied by both the Vida and Montessori charter schools. | Report Card 2010 [4] |
| Franklin Township Elementary School | K-3 | Located west of Gettysburg in Cashtown Principal: Steve Fehringer | Report Card 2010 [5] |
| James Gettys Elementary School | K-3 | Named for James Gettys, the founder of the borough of Gettysburg. Principal: Donna Kluck | Report Card 2010 [6] |
In June 2011, the school board voted to close Eisenhower Elementary School. The school had opened in the 1959-60 school year. Closing the school was projected to save $500,000. The building will be leased to both the Vida and Montessori charter schools beginning with the 2011-12 school year. The lease will provide the district with over $150,000 in rent.[5]
The Gettysburg Area School District was ranked 195th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on five years of PSSAs results in: reading, writing, mathematics and three years of science.[6]
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students in the Gettysburg Area School District was in the 65th percentile among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best) [8]
In 2011 the graduation rate was 91%.[9] The Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate in 2010. Gettysburg Area School District's rate was 86% for 2010.[10]
In 2011, Gettysburg Area High School is in School Improvement I due to continuing, low academic achievement.[14] In 2010, the high school was in School Improvement I - Making Progress due to chronically low academic achievement.[15] In 2009, Gettysburg Area High School is in School Improvement I due to chronic, low academic achievement.[16]
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 31% of Gettysburg Area High School 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 Gettysburg School Board has determined that 29 credits are required to graduation including: English 4 credits, Math 3 or 4 credits, Science 3 or 4 credits, Social Students 4 credits, Health and Physical Education 4 credits, Information Technology 1 credit, Graduation Project 1 credit and Electives 8 credits. A minimum total of 7.0 credits are required between Mathematics and Science.[25][26]
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.[27]
In 2011 and 2010, the middle school achieved AYP status.[28] In 2009, the middle school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I status for academics due to low student achievement.[29]
8th Grade Math:
In 2009 the school board established a Virtual academy for students in grades 6-12. It offers 30 web-based courses. Originally the courses were only open to alternative education students. The courses will be developed by a Pittsburgh company, Virtual Learning Network Partners.[37]
In 2007, the Gettysburg Area School District employed 233 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $54,489 for 180 days worked.[38] In addition to a defined benefit pension, the district pays retiring teachers a bonus for giving the district 90 days notice of the intent to retire. The maximum benefit is a $16,000 lump sum payment.[39] In 2009, the district employs over 300 teachers with a salary range of $42,000 to $131,043.[40] The average teacher's salary is $60,000.[41]
The district's administrative costs per pupil was $813.35 in 2008. This ranked 180th in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[42] In January 2007, the Gettysburg Area School Board awarded a three year contract to William Hall with an initial salary of $120,000 and an extensive benefits package that includes health insurance, Taxpayer pays up to $5,000 moving expenses, dues, conferences, travel per policy, and a defined benefit pension.[43] In 2011, the Pennsylvania Auditor General notified the school district that it will be investigating the recent superintendent buyout that includes a severance package costing over $500,000, including paying two years’ salary, at $135,630 a year and paying the mortgage on Hall's home, which he purchased in 2009 from the district’s Tech Prep program.[44][45][46] In October 2010, the Gettysburg Area School Board named Larry R. Redding as Acting Superintendent. In March 2011, the board officially promoted Redding to Superintendent.[47]
In 2008, the district's per pupil spending was $13,414. This ranked 142nd in 500 Pennsylvania public school districts.[48]
In 2011 the district continued to reduce staffing due to a decline in student enrollment. 24 positions were eliminated. The Superintendent reported that kindergarten enrollment has been at a lower level for the past 5 years.[5]
Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $2,944,403.00 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $7,279,155.00.[49] In 2010 the reserves had increased to an unreserved designated fund balance of $5,930,484.00 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $8,308,225.[50]
In December 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the school board and administration.[51]
In 2011, the school board approved the issuing of general obligation bonds totaling $37.3 million. The money raised will be used to fund various district projects including the demolition and construction of a new middle school ($35 million), the construction of the Adams County Tech Prep building ($4.2 million), and demolition of Keefauver Elementary ($350,000) as well as $7.97 million worth of additions and renovations to Lincoln, Franklin Township and James Gettys elementary schools.[52]
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's wealth.[53]
In 2011-12, the district will receive $7,154,174 in state Basic Education Funding.[54][55] Additionally, the district will receive $154,110 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. 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.[56] Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011.
In 2010, the district reported that 1,037 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education allocated Gettysburg Area School District a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $7,443,202. Among Adams County school districts, the highest increase was 9.66% increase given to Conewago Valley School District. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% increase for 2010-11. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[57]
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for Gettysburg Area School District a total of $7,297,257. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $7,154,173.52. The highest increase in Adams County went to Conewago Valley School District which received 9.48% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase.[58] 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.[59]
In 2009 the district reported having 970 students participating in the federal free and reduced lunch program due to low family income.[60]
The state provides additional education funding to schools, in the form of Accountability Block Grants. The use of these funds is strictly targetted on specific state approved uses designed to improve student academic achievement. Gettysburg Area School District uses its $418,292 to fund all day kindergarten for the seventh year. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding and all federal funding.[61] School Districts must apply each year for Accountability Block Grants.[62] In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million dollars in Accountability Block grants, with $199.5 million of it going to providing all day kindergarten.[63]
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, Mathematics) and paid for mandatory teacher training to optimize the computers' use in the classroom for improving instruction. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Gettysburg Area School District administration did not apply for the grant in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district' received $290,029. For the 2008-09, school year the district received $251,813. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[64]
Gettysburg Area School District received an extra $1,729,062 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used only in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[65] This funding is for the 2009-2011 school years.
Gettysburg Area School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over $1 million dollars in additional federal funding for improving student academic achievement.[66] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[67] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[68] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[69]
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.[70] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
Property tax rates in 2011-2012 were set at 10.1850 mills.[71] 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. In 2010 Adams County conducted a reassessment of the value of property. 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.[72]
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 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, increasing rising health care 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.[77]
The School District Adjusted Index for the Gettysburg Area School District 2006-2007 through 2012-2013.[78]
For the 2011-12 school year, the Gettysburg Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the Gettysburg 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 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]
For the 2010-2011 school year, the Gettysburg School Board sought an exception to exceed the Act 1 index for pension costs of $389,777. The request was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[83] 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.[84]
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Gettysburg Area School District was $167 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 6,618 property owners applied for the tax relief. Among Adams County school districts, in 2010, Upper Adams School District received the highest relief allocation at $273.[85] 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. In Adams County, 74% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[86] 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.[87] This was the third year that CUSD was the top recipient.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, so people whose income is 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%).[89]
Keefauver Elementary School is no longer maintained by the Gettysburg Area School district but is maintained by Manito an organization which takes troubled students for a time or for the rest of the school year.
Gettysburg Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[90] 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.[91]
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Lincoln Intermediate Unit (IU#12) region includes: Adams County, Franklin County and York County. The agency provides Gettysburg Area Schools, district 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. 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.[92] 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.
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The Gettysburg Area School Board sets policies regarding eligibility to participate in these activities.[93]
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.[94]
Gettysburg is a town made famous by one of the most important battles of the American Civil War and by one of the most significant speeches in America's history. Gettysburg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary are both located within the District. The town is encircled by the Gettysburg National Military Park. It is within easy access to a number of metropolitan, academic, cultural and recreational centers. Washington is 78 miles (126 km) south, Baltimore is 54 miles (87 km) south, and Harrisburg is 36 miles (58 km) north.
References
|title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". http://www.scribd.com/doc/23571629/PA-High-School-Graduation-Info-by-School-District-2007.