| McGuffey School District | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 90 McGuffey Drive Claysville, Pennsylvania, Washington, 15323 USA |
|
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Superintendent | Mrs. Beverly Arbore |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Enrollment | 1979 (2009-2010) |
| Kindergarten | 125 |
| Grade 1 | 125 |
| Grade 2 | 111 |
| Grade 3 | 133 |
| Grade 4 | 147 |
| Grade 5 | 153 |
| Grade 6 | 160 |
| Grade 7 | 161 |
| Grade 8 | 171 |
| Grade 9 | 167 |
| Grade 10 | 182 |
| Grade 11 | 191 |
| Grade 12 | 153 |
| Other | Enrollment projected to decline to 1674 by 2019[1] |
| Color(s) | Navy and Gold |
McGuffey School District is a midsized, rural, public school system located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. It serves 10 communities including: the boroughs of West Alexander, Claysville, and Green Hills, and the townships of West Finley, East Finley, Morris, Donegal, Buffalo, Blaine, and South Franklin. McGuffey School District encompasses approximately 203 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 13,695 people. In school year 2007-08, McGuffey School District provided basic educational services to 2,060 pupils. McGuffey School District employed 166 teachers, 80 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 15 administrators in 2008. McGuffey School District received more than $14.3 million in state funding fir the 2007-08 school year.
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The School District is composed of four schools:
In 2011, the school district ranked 330th of 498 Pennsylvania school district. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and three years of science. [2]
The McGuffey School District ranked 80th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009.[5] In 2008, the district was ranked 78th.
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students in McGuffey School District was in the 42nd percentile of Pennsylvania Public School Districts. [6]
In 2011, the graduation rate was 90%. [7] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. McGuffey High School's rate was 85% for 2010.[8]
In 2011 the school achieved AYP status. In 2010 it was in Warning status. [12] In 2011, McGuffey High School ranked 98th of 123 high school, in western Pennsylvania, for academic achievement based on five years of PSSA results on: mathematics, reading, writing and three years of science. In 2010 it ranked 94th. [13] The school ranked 102nd in 2009.[14]
College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 42% of the McGuffey 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.[20] 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.[21] 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.
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] At McGuffey HIgh School, students may choose between completing: a Career Explorations Project, an Interdisciplinary Project, a Community Service Project or a Western Area Career and Technology Center Project. [23]
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 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.[24]
Effective with the 2010-11 school year, McGuffey High School offers a Dual Enrollment program. [25] The school has an agreement with California University of Pennsylvania and Community College of Allegheny County. 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. [26] The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school including the graduation ceremony. 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.[27] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[28]
In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status. [29] The attendance rate was 94% in 2010 and 2011. [30] In 2011, the school ranked 56th out of 149 western Pennsylvania 8th grades.[31] In 2010 the eighth grade ranked 66th, while in 2009, McGuffey Middle School's eighth grade ranked 85th out of 143 western Pennsylvania eighth grades for student academic achievement as demonstrated by three years of PSSA results on: math, reading, writing and one year of science.[32]
8th Grade Math:
In 2011, the seventh grade ranked 57th among western Pennsylvania schools districts. [38]
In 2011, the sixth grade ranked 126th while in 2010 it ranked 125th among 126 western Pennsylvania sixth grades. [39]
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status. [40] The attendance rate was 94% in both 2010 and 2011. [41]
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5th Grade Reading:
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5th Grade Math:
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In 2009, the administrative reported there was one incident of bullying and 14 fights, in the district.[42][43]
The McGuffey School Board has mandated the district's antibully policy and posted it online.[44] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[45] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.[46]
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[47]
In December 2010, the district administration reported that 306 pupils or 14.5% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. [48] [49]
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. [50] 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. 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 Director of Special Education. [51]
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. [52]
McGuffey School District received a $1,329,726 supplement for special education services in 2010.[53]
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. [54]
The District Administration reported that 34 or 1.54% of its students were gifted in 2009.[55] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to a variety of AP courses. [56] The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility. [57]
In 2010 the district reported employing over 90 teachers with a salary range of $33,000 to $103,742 for 180 student days (7 professional days).[58] In addition, the teachers receive a benefits package which includes: health insurance,, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days (which accumulate), reimbursement for college courses and multiple other benefits. Teachers get a preparation period each school day. Teachers are paid $27.50 an hour for work done outside the school day.[59]
In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $51,238 for 180 days worked.[60] The school board entered into an agreement between the McGuffey Board of Directors and McGuffey Teachers Union for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2013, that provides an early retirement incentive.
The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $857.77 per pupil. The district ranked 135th for administrative spending or highest 25% of school districts in the Commonwealth. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. [61] In January 2007, the School Board awarded a five year contract to Joseph Stefka to serve five years as Superintendent. The first year of the contract called for a salary of $112,306.14. The contract included an extensive benefits package including: milage, 12 paid sick 5 personal days and 20 vacation days; health, vision, dental and life insurance and more. Superintendent Stefka retired in June 2010. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007–08 school year was $122,165.[62] In May 2010 the school board hired Beverly Arbore as superintendent of schools for McGuffey School District effective July 1, 2010. [63]
In 2008, the district administration reported spending $12,239 per pupil which ranked 248th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts.[64]
Reserves In 2008, the district reported a $440,498 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.[65] In September 2011, the school board adopted Resolution 2011/2012-01 authorizing non-electoral debt in an amount not to exceed $7,500,000 under the Local Government Unit Debt Act. The issuance of non-electoral debt is for the refinancing of the General Obligation Bonds Series of 2006. [66]
In 2011 the district received a grant of $13,500 from DPS Penn, which is an acquisition firm that is associated with Chesapeake Energy.
In September 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the administration and the school board by state officials.[67]
The district is funded by a combination of: an 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 and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless the of income level.[68]
In 2011–12, the district received $9,870,129 in state Basic Education Funding.[69] Additionally, the district received $171,799, in state 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.[70] Many school districts saw a decrease in total funding due to the ending of the federal Stimulus (ARRA) supplemental school funding. In 2010, the administration reported that 812 students received a free or reduced price lunch based on the federal poverty levels.
For the 2010–11 budget year, the McGuffey School District was allotted a 2.00% increase, in Basic Education Funding, for a total of $10,416,910. The highest increase in Washington County was provided to Charleroi School District which received a 9.90% increase. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010–11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[71] The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.[72]
In the 2009–2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.73% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $10,212,656. The state Basic Education funding to the McGuffey School District in 2008–09 was $9,870,129.13. The highest increase in Washington County went to Burgettstown Area School District which received a 6.45% increase. Eleven Washington County school districts received an increase of less than 5% 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.[73]
In 2008, the administration reported that 710 students received a free or reduced price lunch based on the federal poverty level.
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 district applied for and received $466,305 in addition to all other state and federal funding. McGuffey School District uses the funding to reduce class size K-3rd grade, provide Full Day Kindergarten for the sixth year and to hire teacher coaches to show teachers how to better teacher the children and to provide teacher training programs to improve instruction.[74][75]
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) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006–2009. McGuffey School District did not apply for funding in 2006–07 or 2007–08. In 2008–09, the district received $107,168. [76]
The district received an extra $3,258,441 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[77]
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.[78] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[79] 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.[80]
The McGuffey School Board decided 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.[81] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
McGuffey School Board set property tax rates in 2011-12 at 117.3300 mills.[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. 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[83]
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 and the adjusted index for each district are publicly announced by the Pennsylvania Department of Education In September each year.[87] 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.[88]
The School District Adjusted Index for the McGuffey School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.[89]
For the 2011–12 school year, the McGuffey School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: pension costs and special education costs. Each year, the McGuffey 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 published 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] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed new legislation which reduced the exceptions to 4 including: special education costs, pension contribution costs, electorally approved debt and grandfathered debt. [92]
The School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index for the budget year 2010–2011.[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]
In 2011, property tax relief for 3,733 approved homestead of McGuffey School District was set at $234. [95]
In 2010, the district's tax relief was $230.[96] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the McGuffey School District was $228 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,825 property owners applied for the tax relief.[97] In Washington County, the highest tax relief went to Washington School District at $407 in 2009 and $414 in 2010. The greatest tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the Chester Upland School District of Delaware County set at $632 in 2009 and $641 in 2010.[98] 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 and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Washington County, 73% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[99]
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 have an income of 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%).[100]
The McGuffey School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.[101] [102]
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.[103]
The district borders the state of West Virginia on the west, Avella School District on the north, Trinity Area School District on the east and Greene County, Pennsylvania on the south. It is also bordered by the Washington Area School District.