Midd-West School District

Midd-West School District
Address
568 E. Main Street Middleburg, Pennsylvania, Snyder, 17842 United States
Information
School board	9 elected members
Superintendent	Wesley L. Knapp, Ph. D
Grades	K-12
Kindergarten	201
Grade 1	178
Grade 2	175
Grade 3	160
Grade 4	200
Grade 5	158
Grade 6	139
Grade 7	162
Grade 8	188
Grade 9	194
Grade 10	161
Grade 11	170
Grade 12	108
Website	http://www.mwsd.cc/

Midd-West School District (MWSD) is a midsized, rural, public school district located in the borough of Middleburg in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The Midd-West School District encompasses approximately 226 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 16,531. The district residents' 2009 per capita income was $15,358, while the median family income was $39,303 a year.^[2] Per Midd-West district officials, in school year 2005-06, the Midd-West School District provided basic educational services to 2,375 pupils. It employed: 186 teachers, 134 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 15 administrators.

In 2010, the pupil enrollment was 2194 and is projected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to continue to decline through 2014.^[3] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Midd-West School District had 775 students receiving free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.^[4] The community is largely agrarian with a few small- to medium-sized manufacturers. The county seat, Middleburg, is located in the district.

The district operates six schools: West Beaver Elementary School, Perry-West Perry Elementary School, Middleburg Elementary School, West Snyder Middle School, Middleburg Middle School, and Midd-West High School.

Contents 1 History 2 Governance 3 Graduation rate 3.1 Graduation Requirements 4 Curriculum and Assessments 5 Academic achievement 5.1 High School 5.2 Middle Schools 5.2.1 West Snyder MIddle School 5.2.2 Middleburg Middle School 5.3 Elementary Schools 5.3.1 Middleburg Elementary School 5.3.2 West Beaver Elementary School 5.3.3 Perry-West Perry Elementary School 5.4 Kindergarten 6 Special Education 6.1 Gifted Education 7 Budget and Taxes 7.1 State basic education funding 7.1.1 Accountability Block Grants 7.1.2 Classrooms for the Future grant 7.2 Federal Stimulus Grant 7.2.1 Race to the Top grant 7.3 Common Cents state initiative 7.4 Real estate taxes 7.4.1 Act 1 adjusted index 8 Programs 9 Bullying Policy 10 Wellness policy 11 Extracurriculars 11.1 Sports 12 External links 13 Notes and references

History

The district was founded in 1970 after the merger of the former West Snyder Area and Middleburg Area School Districts. Two high schools had been maintained despite declining enrollment and significant fiscal challenges. In the 2004-2005 school year, Middleburg and West Snyder High Schools were united to form Midd-West High School.^[5]

Having consolidated two elementary schools, in 2005 the district sold the Penns Creek and Beaver Adams elementary schools via public auction.^[6]

A five-year professional contract was agreed upon with the district's teachers union in August 2004.

Governance

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.^[7] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "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.^[8]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate increased to 93%.^[9] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Midd-West High School's rate was 85% for 2010.^[10]

Former calculation graduation rates

• 2010 - 91% ^[11]
• 2009 - 91% ^[12]
• 2008 - 91% ^[13]
• 2007 - 89% ^[14]
• 2006 - 90.16% ^[15]
• 2005 - 88.59%.^[16]

The percentage of students that are continuing their education beyond high school in 2005 is 60%.^[17]

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and math on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) tests administered in grade 11 or 12 or comparable local assessments.

To be eligible to graduate, students in grades 9 through 12 shall successfully complete a minimum of 25 credits: three credits in mathematics that include algebra, geometry and one other math credit; three credits in science to include biology, chemistry, and physics; three credits in social studies that include world cultures, American cultures, and American government; four credits in English with a class taken each year; two classes in arts and/or humanities; one course in health education; a planned course in physical education for each year; and planned courses in approved electives as needed to meet the total number of credits required for graduation.

Students must also complete a Culminating Project to satisfy graduation requirements. Each year students are required to complete specific activities described in the Culminating Project document.^[18] Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in reading and math.^[19]

Curriculum and Assessments

The curriculum is currently under revision to align it with the 1999 Pennsylvania Academic Standards. These standards are assessed in the third through eighth grades and eleventh grades under the guise of the PSSAs. These tests cover critical skills in: reading, writing, speaking and mathematics. In 2007, science was added to the state's assessment protocol.

Academic achievement

Midd-West School District was ranked 368th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2011 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on five years of student academic achievement on the PSSAs for: reading, writing, math and three years of science.^[20]

• 2010 - 362nd ^[21]
• 2009 - 348th
• 2008 - 314th
• 2007 - 305th out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts.^[22]

In 2009, Midd-West School District student academic achievement was in the 40th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts. (0-99; 100 is state best) ^[23]

High School

In 2011, the high school declined to Warning status due to lagging student achievement. ^[24] In 2010, the high school achieved AYP under the federal No Child Left Behind law. In 2009, the high school was in Warning status due to low student achievement.^[25]

11th grade Reading on grade level

• 2004: 58.7%, State - 60.8%
• 2005: 75%, State - 65% ^[26]
• 2006: 74.2%, State - 65.1% ^[27]
• 2007: 67.3%, State - 65.4%
• 2008: 63.8%, State - 65% ^[28][29]
• 2009: 49.7%, State - 65%^[30]
• 2010: 62%, State - 67%. In 2010, Midd-West High School ranked 16th out of 18 schools for 11th grade Reading in the region.^[31]
• 2011 - 63%, State - 69.1%

11th grade Math on grade level

• 2004: 46.8%, State - 49.1% of 11th graders in Pennsylvania are on grade level
• 2005: 49.1%, State - 51%
• 2006: 58.7%, State - 52%
• 2007: 51.1%, State - 53.7% ^[32][33]
• 2008: 56.8%, State - 49% ^[34]
• 2009: 49.0%, State - 56%^[35] In 2009, Midd-West High School 11th graders ranked 14th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools, in the CSIU 16 region, for math achievement.^[36]
• 2010: 52.9%, State - 59%. In 2010, Midd-West High School 11th graders ranked 15th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools, in the CSIU 16 region, for math achievement.^[37]
• 2011 - 48.6%, State - 60.3% Ranks 17th out of 18 CSIU16 school district for 11th grade math. ^[38]

11th grade Science on grade level

• 2008 - 38.8%, State - 39% ^[39]
• 2009 - 23.9%, State - 40% ^[40]
• 2010 - 40%, State - 39% ^[41] In 2010, Midd-West High School 11th graders ranked 13th out of 18 Central Pennsylvania High Schools, in the CSIU 16 region, for science achievement.^[42]
• 2011 - 25.2%, State - 40%. Ranked 17th out of 18 CSIU region high schools.
• In 2005 MWHS ranked 323rd out of 601 PA high schools for student success on math and reading PSSAs.

SAT Scores

Math

• 2005: 513, State - 520
• 2006: 522, State - 518
• 2007: 508, State - 515
• 2008: 505, State - 515
• 2009: 505, State - 515

Verbal

• 2005: 496, State - 508
• 2006: 494, State - 503
• 2007: 490, State - 502
• 2008: 485, State - 502
• 2009: 481, State - 501

Middle Schools

West Snyder MIddle School

Eight Grade

Reading

• 2011 - 87.7% on grade level. In Pennsylvania 81.9% of 8th graders on grade level. ^[43]
• 2010 - 80%, State - 81% (65 pupils enrolled) Ranked 17th out of 19 CSIU16 middle schools ^[44][45]
• 2009 - 87%, State - 80%.^[46][47]
• 2008 - 82%, State - 78% ^[48]
• 2007 - 63%, State - 75% ^[49]
• 2006 - 75%, State - 70%

Math:

• 2011 - 79% on grade level. In Pennsylvania - 76.9% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 69%, State - 75%. Ranked 18th in CSIU16 region middle schools ^[47]
• 2009 - 78%, State - 71% ^[50]
• 2008 - 68%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 59%, State - 68%
• 2006 - 56%, State - 62%

Science:

• 2011 - 71.9% on grade level. State - 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 55%, State - 57%. Ranked 16th in CSIU16 middle schools.^[51][52]
• 2009 - 59%, State - 55%.^[53]
• 2008 - 40%, State - 52%^[54]

Seventh Grade

Reading:

• 2011 - 66.7% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 76% of 7th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 77%, State - 73% (53 enrolled pupils) Ranked 9th out of 19 CSIU16 middle schools.^[55]
• 2009 - 64%, State - 71%
• 2008 - 61%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 69%, State - 66%

Math:

• 2011 - 66.7% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 78.6% of 7th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 79%, State - 77%. Ranked 13th out of 19 CSIU16 region middle schools^[56]
• 2009 - 69%, State - 75%
• 2008 - 69%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 82%, State - 67%

6th Grade:

Reading:

• 2011 - 78.9% on grade level. State - 69.9% of 6th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 59%, State - 68% (42 pupils enrolled)
• 2009 - 75%, State - 67%
• 2008 - 55%, State - 67%
• 2007 - 63%, State - 63%

6th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 90.2% on grade level. State - 78.8% of 6th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 82%, State - 78%
• 2009 - 86%, State - 75%
• 2008 - 68%, State - 72%
• 2007 - 79%, State - 69%

5th Grade Reading:

• 2011 - 72.2 on grade level. State - 67.3% of 5th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 62%, State - 64% (51 pupils enrolled)
• 2009 - 49%, State - 64%
• 2008 - 62%, State - 61%
• 2007 - 54%, State - 60%

5th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 80.4%, on grade level. State - 76.3% of 5th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 93%, State - 74%
• 2009 - 59%, State - 73%
• 2008 - 79%, State - 73%
• 2007 - 60%, State - 70%

Middleburg Middle School

Achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.^[57] The attendance rate was 95% in both 2010 and 2011.^[58]

Eight Grade

Reading:

• 2011 - 92.1% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders are on grade level. ^[59]
• 2010 - 86%, State - 81% (112 enrolled pupils) Ranked 9th out of 19 CSIU16 middle schools.^[45][60]
• 2009 - 87%, State - 80% ^[61]
• 2008 - 82%, State - 78% ^[62]

2007 - 82%, State - 75%

Math:

• 2011 - 88.7% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level. Ranks 4th out of 19 CSIU16 region middle schools.
• 2010 - 75.9%, State - 75%. Ranked 14th out of 19 CSIU16 region middle schools ^[47]
• 2009 - 75.8%, State - 71%. Ranked 10th out of 19 Middle School 8th grades in CSIU16 region.^[63][64]
• 2008 - 81.5%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 87%, State - 68%
• 2006 - 64%, State - 62%

Science:

• 2011 - 69.6% on grade level. State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 57%, State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level. Ranked 14th among CSIU16 middle schools Ranked 16th in CSIU16 middle schools.^[51][52]
• 2009 - 58%, State - 55%. Ranked 11th out of 19 middle school 8th grades in IU!^ region.^[53][65]
• 2008 - 46%, State - 52%^[54]

Seventh Grade

Reading:

• 2011 - 80.3% on grade level. State – 76% of 7th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 75%, State - 73% (93 enrolled pupils) Ranked 14th out of 19 CSIU16 middle schools.^[55]
• 2009 - 70%, State - 71%
• 2008 - 66%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 61%, State - 66%

Math:

• 2011 - 94.4% on grade level. State - 78.6% of 7th graders are on grade level. Ranks 1st out of 19 CSIU16 region middle schools
• 2010 - 80%, State - 77%. Ranked 4th out of 19 CSIU16 region middle schools^[56]
• 2009 - 79%, State - 75%
• 2008 - 85%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 84%, State - 67%

6th Grade:

Reading:

• 2011 - 77% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level. Ranks 6th among local 6th grades.
• 2010 - 73%, State - 68% (98 pupils enrolled)
• 2009 - 66%, State - 67%
• 2008 - 64%, State - 67%
• 2007 - 66%, State - 63% ^[66]

Math:

• 2011 - 85% on grade level. State - 78.8% of 6th graders were on grade level. Ranks 12th among local 6th grades.
• 2010 - 90%, State - 78%
• 2009 - 85%, State - 75%
• 2008 - 83%, State - 72%
• 2007 - 76%, State - 69%

• Middleburg Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2005 [1]

Elementary Schools

Middleburg Elementary School

Middleburg Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.^[67] The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2011. Report Card 2010 [2] | Report Card 2009 [3] | Report Card 2008 [4] | Report Card 2007 [5]

4th Grade Reading 2011 - 66% (21% below basic), State – 73.3% [68] 2010 - 69% (14% below basic), State - 73%

4th Grade Math 2011 - 83% (8% below basic), State – 85.3% 2010 - 86% (5% below basic), State - 84%

4th Grade Science

• 2011 - 78%, (6% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 79%, (4% below basic), State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading 2011 - 74%, (14% below basic), State – 77.2% 2010 - 80%, (18% below basic), State - 75%

3rd Grade Math 2011 - 78%, (2% below basic), State – 83.5% 2010 - 84%, (0% below basic), State - 84%

West Beaver Elementary School

West Beaver Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.^[69] The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2011.^[70] Report Card 2010 [6] | Report Card 2009 [7] | Report Card [8] | Report Card 2007 [9]

4th Grade Reading 2011 - 73% (5% below basic), State – 73.3% [71] 2010 - 79% (9% below basic), State - 73%

4th Grade Math 2011 - 88% (5% below basic), State – 85.3% 2010 - 86% (2% below basic), State - 84%

4th Grade Science

• 2011 - 90%, (0% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 81%, (3% below basic), State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading 2011 - 81%, (9% below basic), State – 77.2% 2010 - 80%, (11% below basic), State - 75%

3rd Grade Math 2011 - 82%, (1% below basic), State – 83.5% 2010 - 80%, (2% below basic), State - 84%

Perry-West Perry Elementary School

Perry-West Perry Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.^[72] The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2011.^[73] Report Card 2010 [10] | Report Card 2009 [11] | Report Card 2008 [12] | Report Card 2007 [13] | Report Card 2006 [14]

Kindergarten

The district has committed to offering All Day Kindergarten beginning in 2010.^[74]

Special Education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 374 pupils received Special Education services.^[75]

The Midd-West School District has procedures to identify children needing special education. Screening of children is conducted for hearing, vision, motor skills, and speech and language. If a disability is suspected, teachers, other school personnel, or parents may refer a child for an evaluation. Parents suspecting that their child may have a disability and needs special education or early intervention services can request a screening or an evaluation by contacting the superintendent's office.^[76]

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.^[77]

Midd-West School District received a $1,352,514 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[78]

Gifted Education

The District Administration reported that 51 or 2.33% of its students were identified as gifted in 2009.^[79] 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 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.^[80]

Budget and Taxes

The Midd-West School District budget was set at $26.17 million for 2007-2008. In May 2007, voters rejected a referendum to increase the local earned income tax 0.5 percent in exchange for a $166 property tax rebate.^[81]

The school board voted to purchase 2 parcels of land totaling 80 acres (320,000 m²) for $1 million dollars. That land is intended to replace 8 acres (32,000 m²) of land that were primarily used for athletics. Athletic fields had been lost in the renovations of the high school building.^[82]

In April 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the MIdd-West School District. Findings were reported to the school board and administration.^[83]

In May 2011, the administration and teachers agreed to a pay freeze for one year. It will save the district over $579,000. The freeze was part of an effort to close a $3.7 million deficit in the proposed budget.^[84] In June 2011, the board adopted a $30.18 million budget. The board also eliminated the Adult agriculture Education program and furloughed the coordinator. they set a 4 day work for the summer months, expecting to save $10,000 on utilities.^[85]

In 2009, the Midd-West School District employed over 180 teachers with a salary range of $37,000 to $110,000.^[86]

In 2007, the district employed 165 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $47,237 for 180 days worked.^[87] 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.^[88] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, paid sick days, a retirement bonus and other benefits.^[89] 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.^[90][91]

In 2008, the district administration reported spending $10,577 per pupil which ranked 433rd out of 500 school districts.^[92]

The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $712.29 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[93] In December 2008, the School Board awarded a contract to Wesley Knapp, as superintendent, with an initial salary of $110,00 plus an extensive benefits package that includes: life insurance, pension, health insurance and more. He is the 12th superintendent at the district since 1989. From July 2007 to December 2008, the district had two superintendents and two acting superintendents. The average time for a superintendent to remain in a school district in Pennsylvania is about six years, says Stinson Stroup, executive director of Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, a private, nonprofit organization that focuses on the professional development of school superintendents.^[94]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, grants, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. In Pennsylvania, both pension income and social security income are exempted from the Pennsylvania personal income tax and the local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's level of wealth.^[95]

State basic education funding

In 2011-12, the district will receive $8,104,569 in state Basic Education Funding.^[96] Additionally, the district will receive $148,409 in Accountability Block Grant funding.

For the 2010-11 school year, Midd-West School District received a 3.40% increase for a total of $8,765,344 in Basic Education Funding. One hundred fifty school districts received a 2% increase in Basic Ed funding. Fifteen school districts received an increase above 10%. The highest increase went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which was allotted a 23.65% increase in 2010-11.^[97]

In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.59% increase in Basic Education Funding to Midd-West, for a total of $8,476,723. Ninety school districts in Pennsylvania received the minimum 2% increase in 2009. Additionally, Governor Edward Rendell gave 15 Pennsylvania school districts education funding increases of over 10% in 2009. The highest funding increase went to Muhlenberg School District in Berks County which received a 22.31% increase in 2009-10.^[98] The state Basic Education Funding to the Midd-West School District in 2008-09 was $8,104,569.04. 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.^[99]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 775 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.^[100]

Accountability Block Grants

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 Midd-West School District applied for and received $402,820 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide to develop and implement new curriculum and to decrease or maintain low class sizes, (less than 22 pupils) in K-3rd grade.^[101][102]

Classrooms for the Future grant

Midd-West School District was awarded a $77,993.00 grant under Classrooms for the Future 2006 to purchase computers for the high school students' use along with paying for mandatory teacher training to optimize the computers' use.^[103] Computers were for core academic courses: English, Math, Science, and History.^[104] In 2007 the district received $300,000. The district received the final payment of $42,706 for the 2008-09 school year. In total the district received: $420,699 in state funds. This money was in addition to all regular state and federal funding.^[105][106]

Classrooms For the Future was launched in 2006 as a three-year, $200 million project. It calls for a laptop computer for every high school student and teacher.^[107] An audit by the Pennsylvania Auditor General found that over three years, PDE awarded at least partial funding to all, but four school districts who applied for Classrooms for the Future grants.^[108]

Federal Stimulus Grant

The district received $1,775,681 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.^[109] This is for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 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 of dollars in additional funding for improving student academic achievement.^[110] 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.^[111] 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.^[112]

Common Cents state initiative

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.^[113] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

In June 2011, the Midd-West School Board raised real estate taxes to 61.9500 mills.^[114]

In June 2010, the Midd-West School Board adopted a budget that necessitated a significant property tax increase.^[115] Millage was set at 55.4500 mills. 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, a county 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.^[116]

• 2009-10 - 48.850 mills^[117][118]
• 2008-09 - 47.300 mills^[119]
• From 2006 through 2009 the school board did not raise real estate taxes.^[120]

In 2006 the millage was 63.5 mills. Snyder County set a new assessment ratio which increased from 75% to 100% of assessed value in 2007. The district adjusted the mills accordingly to be revenue neutral. The earned income tax is 2.3 percent.^[121][122]

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 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.^[123]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Midd-West School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.^[124]

• 2006-07 - 5.3%, Base 3.9%
• 2007-08 - 4.5%, Base 3.4%
• 2008-09 - 5.9%, Base 4.4%
• 2009-10 - 5.5%, Base 4.1%
• 2010-11 - 3.9%, Base 2.9%
• 2011-12 - 1.9%, Base 1.4% ^[125][126]
• 2012-13 - 2.3%, Base 1.7% ^[127]

The MIdd-West School Board applied for multiple exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011 including: pension costs, special education costs and maintenance of selected revenue sources.^[128][129] Each year, the school district 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.^[130]

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.^[131]

In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them with 128 seeking an exception for pension costs increases.^[132] Only 31 school districts applied for the maintenance of selected revenue sources exception. to qualify the district must show that the amount of tax revenue taken in one year earlier, coupled with the various state funding provided in that school year, does not exceed the sum of these amounts for the school year increased by its 2010-2011 index. The district reports the actual data and the Pennsylvania Department of Education verifies the calculations before providing approval.^[133]

Programs

In addition to the traditional academics, the school district offers technology and job skills training at the SUN Area Career and Technology Center.

High school students have the option of taking courses in agriculture that prepare them for work on farms, nurseries and other agrarian fields. The FFA program has received national recognition for excellence.^[134]

Bullying Policy

In 2009, the administration reported 29 incidents of bullying in the school district's annual safety report.^[135] By law all schools must submit an annual report to the state since 2000.^[136]

• 2008 The district reported 48 bullying incidents.^[137] The high school had 43 reported bullying incidents.^[138]
• 2007 The district reported 20 bullying incidents.^[139] The high school had 15 incidents.^[140]
• 2006 The district reported 27 bullying incidents.^[141]

The Midd-West School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. A policy approved in May 2006 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.^[142] 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.^[143] 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.^[144]

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.^[145]

Wellness policy

Midd-West School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.^[146] 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.^[147] The policy requires that the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.^[148][149]

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.^{[150] [151][152]}

Sports

MWSD's mascot is the mustang. School colors are Carolina blue and dull silver. Just before the merger of the two high schools, high school students were asked to vote on a new mascot and school colors to replace the old West Snyder HS Mounties (colors: red and white) and Middleburg HS Middies (colors: blue and gold).

MWSD offers thirteen sports for students at the high school level: baseball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, softball, boys' soccer, girls' soccer, and wrestling.

Note: The football program is a co-operative program with East Juniata High School, and plays under the East Juniata flag (Colors: Red & gray, nicknamel: Tigers), even though their field is in Beaver Springs on Midd-West property. The school board pays $24,000 a year for the students to be able to play PIAA football.^[153]

Midd-West School District is a member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference for all athletics, except for football, which is in the All-American Football Conference (as the East Juniata Tigers). Midd-West School District participates under the rules and guidelines of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

External links

• SUN Tech
• No Child Left Behind report card
• Midd-West board ponders building options, costs
• Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16
• Kay Poeth Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year semifinalist

Notes and references