| Keystone Oaks School District | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 1000 Kelton Avenue Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Allegheny, 15216 United States |
|
| Information | |
| Superintendent | William F. Urbanek, Ed.D. |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Kindergarten | 183 |
| Grade 1 | 143 |
| Grade 2 | 137 |
| Grade 3 | 131 |
| Grade 4 | 142 |
| Grade 5 | 139 |
| Grade 6 | 154 |
| Grade 7 | 153 |
| Grade 8 | 166 |
| Grade 9 | 169 |
| Grade 10 | 178 |
| Grade 11 | 182 |
| Grade 12 | 174 |
| Other | Enrollment is projected to be 1870 by 2019[1] |
| Website | http://www.kosd.org/ |
Keystone Oaks School District is a public school district in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was formed in 1969 after the merger of three smaller districts serving Dormont, Castle Shannon, and Green Tree. The name 'Keystone Oaks' is a play on the names of the three communities: 'key' for the 'door' in Dormont; 'stone' from the 'castle' in Castle Shannon; and 'oak' as a tree in Green Tree. The district features five schools: Aiken Elementary (K-5 in Green Tree), Dormont Elementary (K-5 in Dormont), Myrtle Elementary (K-5 in Castle Shannon), Keystone Oaks Middle School, and Keystone Oaks High School.
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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.[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 its resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "B-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[3]
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Keystone Oaks School District was in the 62nd percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) [4]
Keystone Oaks School District was ranked 210th out of 493 Pennsylvania school districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on four years of student academic performance on the PSSAs on: math, reading, writing and two years of science.[5]
Local ranking - Keystone Oaks School District was ranked 54th 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 on: math, reading, writing and one year of science.[7]
Graduation Rate:
2010 - 92%
2009 - 94%[8]
2008 - 86%
2007 - 88% [9]
In 2007, the district reported that 25 pupils in the middle school and high school dropped out.[10]
In 2010 the high school was in School Improvement II status due to the chronic, low achievement of its students.[11][12]
The high school ranked 83rd out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by three years of 11th grade results on: math, reading, writing and one year of science PSSAs.[13]
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 62% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.[14]
2009 - 67%, State - 65% [8]
2008 - 60%, State - 65%[15]
2007 - 72%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
2010 - 51% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 59%, State - 56%[16]
2008 - 56%, State - 56%
2007 - 58%, State - 53%[17]
11th Grade Science:
2010 - 32% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 33%, State - 40%
2008 - 32%, State - 39% [18]
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 41% of Keystone Oaks 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.[19] 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.[20] 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 Keystone Oaks School Board has determined that students must perform 120 Hours of Community Service and earn the following credits to graduate: English 6 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Technology 1 credit, Physical Education 2 credits, Health 0.5 credit and five elective credits. [21]
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.[22]
Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in Literature (reading) and Algebra 1. [23]
The administration established a cyber high school in 2010. Twelve students enrolled saving the district $100,000. The program is open to students in grades 8-12.[24]
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 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]
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $9,415 for the program.[27]
The middle school eighth grade ranked 71st 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.[28]
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 85%, State - 81% on grade level. (157 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 84%, State - 80.9%.[29]
2008 - 83%, State - 78%
2007 - 83%, State - 75%[30]
8th Grade Math:
2010 - 84% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 70%, State - 71%
2008 - 69%, State - 70%
2007 - 59%, State - 67%
8th Grade Science:
2010 - 55% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 64%, State - 55%
2008 - 58%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 76% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 73% of 7th graders on grade level. (169 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 64%, State - 71%
2008 - 71%, State - 70%
7th Grade Math:
2010 - 84% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 73% of 7th graders on grade level.
2009 - 75%, State - 75%
2008 - 72%, State - 70%
6th Grade Reading:
2010 - 73% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 68% of 6th graders on grade level. (175 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 66%, State - 67%
2008 - 69%, State - 67%
6th Grade Math:
2010 - 84% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 78% of 6th graders on grade level.
2009 - 77%, State - 75%
2008 - 66%, State - 72%
In 2009 the administrative reported there were 10 incidents of bullying in the district. [31][32]
The Keystone Oaks School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. A 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.[33] 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.[34] 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.[35]
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.[36]
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 308 pupils or 13% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. [37]
The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education. [38]
In 2009, the district reported employing over 180 teachers with a salary range of $34,050 to $129,360. [39] In addition to salary the teachers and administrators receive an extensive benefits package including: health insurance, life insurance, personal and sick days, reimbursement for college courses, additional payment for extra time worked and a defined benefit pension. [40]
In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $59,200 for 180 days worked. The district ranked fourteenth in Allegheny County for average teacher salary in 2007. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977.[41] As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation.[42] 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.[43]
Keystone Oaks School District administrative costs per pupil were $824 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[44] The salary of the superintendent was reported as $129,360 in 2009.
In 2008, the administration reported spending $14,701 per pupil which ranked 71st among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.[45]
Reserves' - In 2008, the Keystone Oaks School Board reported a $4,275,983 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $300,000.[46]
In August 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration. [47]
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax - 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless the individual's level of wealth.[48]
For the 2010-2011 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.68% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $4,848,389. South Fayette Township School District received an 11.32% increase, which was the highest increase in Allegheny County.[49] The state Basic Education funding to the Keystone Oaks School District in 2008-09 was $4, 541,058. Twenty three Allegheny County school district received the base 2% increase. In Pennsylvania, one hundred fifty school district received the 2% minimum increase in funding in 2010-11. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received an increase of over 23.65%. Sixteen school districts received Basic Education increases in excess of 10%. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation made in the budget proposal made in February each year.[50]
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $4,631,838. [51] This was the base percentage increase, in Basic Education Funding, in the Commonwealth. Four school districts in Allegheny County received an increase of over 6 percent. Chartiers Valley School District received an 8.19% increase, which was the highest in Allegheny County in 2009-10. The state Basic Education funding to the Keystone Oaks School District in 2008-09 was $4, 541,058. In Pennsylvania, ninety school district received the 2% minimum increase in funding in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received an increase of over 22.31%. Fifteen school districts received Basic Education increases in excess of 10%[52]
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. [53] 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 district applied for and received $262,133 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to increase instructional time, to provide health and safety services and to provide teacher training through placing teacher coaches in the classroom. [54][55]
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 Fairfield Area School District received $49,130. [59]
The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math), along with other specialized equipment and provided funding for teacher training to optimize the use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Keystone Oaks School District did not apply in 2007. In 2008, the district was denied funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. KOSD received $164,329 in 2009. [60] It purchased seven Promethean boards for the high school and laptops. [61]
The Keystone Oaks 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. [62] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
The district received an extra $1,187,806 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[63] The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years. [64]
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[65] 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. 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. [66] School district officials DID apply for the Race to the Top grant. However, the KOEA (Keystone Oaks Education Association) would not sign the application. Therefore, the district was not considered for these funds.
The school board levied a real estate tax of 22.03 mills in 2010-11. [67] 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. On the local level, 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.[68]
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.[71]
The School District Adjusted Index for the Keystone Oaks School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012. [72]
For the 2010-2011 school year, the school board did not apply for an exception to exceed the district's Act 1 index limit. [73][74] 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.[75]
The property tax relief amount for the Keystone Oaks School District was set at $151 for 5,644 approved applicants by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in May 2010.[76] The highest property tax relief, in Allegheny County, was awarded to Duquesne City School District at $348 per approved homestead. In Pennsylvania, the highest relief was awarded to Chester Upland School District located in Delaware County at $632. This was the fourth year CUSD received the top relief.
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Keystone Oaks School District was $153 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 5,570 approved property owners applied for the tax relief. 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 Allegheny County, 60% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[77] In highest property tax relief in 2009 and 2008 went to Chester Upland School District in Delaware County which got $632 per approved homestead and farmstead.
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, people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief. [78]
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%).[79]
In March 2010, the school board held a public meeting regarding a plan to consolidate schools, closing several due to declining enrollment. [80] In October 2010, the board approved the plan to close several elementary schools. [81] The district reports that enrollment fell by nearly 700 students during the past 10 years. The board is acting because a $3.6 million budget deficit is predicted to develop by the 2012-13 school year. [82]
A proposal was made by David Wassell, a prominent resident and leader in Allegheny County, to consolidate Allegheny County school districts to save tax dollars, focus dollars on student achievement, and improve student services. The plan calls for a proposed district that includes: Brentwood Borough School District, Baldwin-Whitehall School District, Keystone Oaks School District and Mount Lebanon School District. The proposed district would serve the communiities of: Baldwin, Baldwin Township, Brentwood, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Green Tree, and Mt. Lebanon.[83]
Governor Edward Rendell proposed that consolidation with adjacent school districts, in each county, would achieve substantial cost savings. The savings could be redirected to improving lagging reading and science achievement, to enriching the academic programs or to reducing residents' property taxes.[84] 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).[85] Statewide, there are 187 districts that are projected to have an enrollment decline of 15 percent or greater. Geographically, these districts are clustered in western Pennsylvania and in the state’s northern tier. [86]
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.[87] This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[88] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[89]
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Keystone Oaks High School fields sixteen varsity interscholastic teams and is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) and the Pennsylvania Athletic Association (PIAA). Eligibility for participation is set through school board policy[90]
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.[91]
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