Jamestown Area School District

Jamestown Area School District
Address
204 Shenango Street
Jamestown, Pennsylvania, Mercer, 16134
United States
Information
School board 9 elected members
Superintendent Mr. Shane Murray
School number 724-932-5557
Administrator Mrs. Cheryl Goodemote, Business Manager
Principal Mr. Brian Keyser, JSHS
Principal Mrs. Tracy Reiser, ES
Grades K-12
Kindergarten 48
Grade 1 28
Grade 2 48
Grade 3 42
Grade 4 37
Grade 5 53
Grade 6 47
Grade 7 39
Grade 8 52
Grade 9 43
Grade 10 48
Grade 11 51
Grade 12 44
Other Enrollment projected to decline to 466 pupils by 2020. [1]
Mascot Mighty Muskies
Website http://www.jamestown.k12.pa.us/

The Jamestown Area School District is a diminutive, rural, public school district serving parts of Mercer County, Pennsylvania and Crawford County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses 61 square miles (160 km2) including the communities of Jamestown and Greene Township in Mercer County, and the municipalities of West Shenango Township and South Shenango Township in Crawford County. The enrollment, in 2011 is 580 pupils. This is among the 10% lowest enrollment in districts within the Commonwealth. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 4,377. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income was $16,562, while the median family income was $40,690. [2] According to District officials, during the school year 2007-08, the Jamestown Area School District provided basic educational services to 676 pupils through the employment of 47 teachers, 28 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 5 administrators. Jamestown Area School District received more than $4.2 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.

The district operates one elementary school and one combined junior-senior high school.

Contents

Governance

The school district is governed by 9 individually elected school 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 fluency and basic 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. [4]

Academic achievement

In 2011, the Jamestown Area School District ranked 89th 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]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Jamestown Area School District was in the 84th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) [8]

Graduation rate

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Jamestown Area School District's rate was 97% for 2010.[9]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

High School

In 2009 and 2010 the school achieved AYP status. [14]

PSSAs Results 11th Grade Reading

11th Grade Math:

11th Grade Science:

Dual enrollment

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. Only seniors are permitted to participate at Jamestown Area School District. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards both 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.[21] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. [22] 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.[23]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,603.00 for the program.[24]

Graduation requirements

The Jamestown Area School Board has determined that a high school student must earn 23 credits in order to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Mathematics 3 credits, Science 3 credits, Physical Education/Health 1.4 credits, Humanities/Arts 2 credit and 6.5 elective credits. [25]

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. [26]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores count for at least one-third of the final course grade.[27]

Junior High School

8th Grade Reading

8th Grade Math:

8th Grade Science:

7th Grade Reading

7th Grade Math:

Jamestown Area Elementary School

In 2009 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status. [33]

6th Grade Reading:

6th Grade Math:

5th Grade Reading:

5th Grade Math:

4th Grade Reading;
4th Grade Math;
4th Grade Science;
3rd Grade Reading;
3rd Grade Math;

Special Education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 89 pupils or 15.3% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. [35] [36]

In order to comply with state and federal laws, the school 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. [37] 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 Special Education administration. [38] 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 Office of Special Education.[39]

Placement of students with IEPs must be made in the least restrictive environment in which the student’s needs can be met with special education and related services. All students with disabilities must be educated to the maximum extent appropriate with children who are not disabled.

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. [40]

Jamestown Area School District received a $399,574 supplement for special education services in 2010.[41]

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. [42]

Gifted Education

The District Administration reported that 13 or 2.24% of its students were gifted in 2009. [43] 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 can have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Gifted ability cannot be based on IQ score alone. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility. [44] [45]

The Jamestown Board has entered into a cooperative agreement with Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV to provide gifted education services and programs. [46]

Bullying and school safety

In 2010, the administration reported there was one reported episode of bullying in the district. There were 7 simple assaults on students and 3 incidents of fighting. No students were placed in Alternative Education. [47] [48]

The Jamestown Area School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty.[49] The policy defines bullying and cyberbullying. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation on students may occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying. [50] 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.[51] 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. [52]

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.[53]

Budget

In 2009, the district employed 52 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $48,570 for 184 days worked. The beginning salary was $35,000, while the highest salary was $95,000. [54] Teachers work an 7 hour 30 minutes day, with one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch included. Additionally, the teachers receive: a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, bereavement leave for death in the family and many other benefits. The district offers an extensive retirement/longevity package which includes payment for unused sick days accumulated in Jamestown Area School District. Teachers who act as mentors for new employees receive additional pay. District appointed, grade level teacher leaders receive an additional $500 a year. Teachers receive 1/2 their salary when on sabbatical leave. The local union president receives 3 paid days to conduct union business. [55] According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[56][57]

In 2007, the Jamestown Area School District employed 43 teachers working 180 days of pupil instruction. The average teacher salary in the district was $47,436. [58] 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.[59]

In 2008, per pupil spending at Jamestown Area School District was $11,347 for each child. This ranked 358th among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.[60] Jamestown Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $1,149.41 per pupil. This is ranked 30th among in the 500 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. [61]

In 2008, the Jamestown Area School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $200,000 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $963,950. [62]

In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the district. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration. [63]

The district is funded by a combination of: a 0.5% local tax on earned income, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants have provided an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of wealth. [64]

State basic education funding

In 2011-12, the district will receive $2,899,074 in state Basic Education Funding. [65] [66] Additionally, the district will receive $38,171 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.[67]

In 2010, the district reported that 253 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 budget year the Jamestown Area School District received a 3.95% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $3,121,105 which was the highest increase in state funding among Mercer County school districts. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received the 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding. [68]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.57% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $3,002,479. Three county school districts received increases of over 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Sharon City School District received an 7.59% increase. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Jamestown Area School District in 2008-09 was $2,899,073.97. [69] 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. [70]

In 2008, the district reported that 229 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.

Accountability Block Grant

The state provides additional education funding to schools in the form of Accountability Block Grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses designed to improve student academic achievement. Jamestown Area School District uses its $103,605 to fund all day kindergarten. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding. [71] Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants. [72] In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million dollars in Accountability Block Grants $199.5 million went to providing all day kindergartens. [73]

Classrooms for the Future grant

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 teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Jamestown Area School District never applied for funding in any of its three years. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards. [74]

Federal stimulus grant

The Jamestown Area School District received $399,900 in ARRA - Federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding includes $273,200 for Title 1-A programs, $1,088,200 for construction and $337,800 for IDEA programs. [75] This funding was for the 2009-10 and the 2010-2011 school years.

Race to the Top grant

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. [76] [77] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[78] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[79] 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. [80]

Common Cents state initiative

The Jamestown Area School District School Board chose to 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.[81] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes. The report found multiple opportunities for savings.

Real Estate Taxes

In June 2010, the Jamestown Area School Board set the property taxes rate for the 2010-11 school year at: 55.33 mills on real estate in Mercer County (1.03 mill increase) and 41.15 mills on real estate in Crawford County [82] A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. [83]

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise taxes above that index, unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the Pennsylvania 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.[87] With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs, pension costs and already voter approved construction. In the future, the cost of major construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum. [88]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Jamestown Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[89]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Jamestown Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the Jamestown 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. [90]

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. [91]

Jamestown Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11.[92] [93] 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. [94]

Property tax relief

In 2011, property tax relief for 1,411 approved residents of Jamestown Area School District was set at $196.[95] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Jamestown Area School District was $197 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 1400 property owners applied for the tax relief. [96] 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. [97]

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have 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. [98]

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%).[99]

Enrollment and Consolidation

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, there are fewer than 580 students enrolled in Jamestown Area SD, K-12, in 2010. There were 44 students in the Class of 2010. The district's class of 2009 had 52 students. Enrollment in the Jamestown Area School District is projected, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to continue to decline to 466 pupils K-12 total enrollment, by 2020. [100]

A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was at least 3000 pupils. [101] Consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in both communities. [102] 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. [103] Consolidation of two districts' 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. [104] The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration. [105]

More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania have been experiencing significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater). This is the case at Jamestown Area School District which faces on ongoing decline in enrollment. The Commonwealth's Department of Education projects the loss of over 100 more students by 2020. [106] [107]

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. [108] 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. [109]

Extracurriculars

The district offers an extensive program including: clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by the school board in policies. Students must have passed the required number of credits the previous grading period. Students not meeting this requirement are ineligible for a three week period (15 school days) of the next grading period. Students must also be passing at least four full credit subjects, or the equivalent. Eligibility shall be cumulative from the beginning of a grading period, and shall be reported on a weekly basis throughout the season from the first day of practice until the last game. [110]

Sports are offered to 7th grade through 12th grade. Cross Country gr. 7-12, Golf gr. 9-12, Basketball Junior High and Senior High; Wrestling gr. 7th-12th; Girls Volleyball 7-12th; Softball Cheerleading gr. 9-12; Softball gr. 9-12; Track and Field gr. 7-12 and Baseball gr. 9-12.

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. [111]

References

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