| Williamsport Area School District | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 2780 West Fourth Street Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Lycoming, 17701 United States |
|
| Information | |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Kindergarten | 440 |
| Grade 1 | 459 |
| Grade 2 | 396 |
| Grade 3 | 422 |
| Grade 4 | 464 |
| Grade 5 | 384 |
| Grade 6 | 381 |
| Grade 7 | 390 |
| Grade 8 | 381 |
| Grade 9 | 462 |
| Grade 10 | 483 |
| Grade 11 | 447 |
| Grade 12 | 464 |
| Other | Enrollment projected to be at 5364 pupils by 2019 |
| Website | http://www.wasd.org/wasdpa/site/default.asp |
The Williamsport Area School District is one of several public school districts in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The district is centered on the city of Williamsport and also serves the neighboring Lewis, Hepburn, Lycoming, Old Lycoming, and Woodward townships. The district encompasses approximately 98 square miles (250 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 44,192. According to district officials, in school year 2005–06, the Williamsport Area School District provided basic educational services to 5,912 pupils through the employment of 472 teachers, 376 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 57 administrators.
The district currently operates six elementary schools:
The former Roosevelt Middle School building serves as the District Service Center. It is to reopen as a 7th and 8th grade school in 2012.[2]
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Williamsport Area School District was ranked 363rd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance for five years, on the PSSAs for: reading, writing, math and three years of science.[3]
In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Williamsport Area School District, was in the 35th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0–99; 100 is state best)[6]
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Williamsport Area High School's rate was 71% for 2010.[12]
In 2010, the high school is in Corrective Action II 4th Year due to chronically low student achievement and failure to make AYP. Students are permitted to transfer to another high school within the district.[13]
The Williamsport Area School Board has determined that students must earn 22 credits to graduate including: 4 English credits, 4 Social Studies credits, 3 Math Credits, 3 Science credits, 2 credits Physical Education, 1 credit Health, 2 credits Arts/Humanities (in different areas) and 3 elective credits.[19] Students must also complete the four 11th grade PSSA components (Writing, Reading, Science, and Math), and fulfill all additional conditions that results from the student’s performance rating on the PSSA’s.
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.[20]
According to Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2015 and 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.[21]
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 28% of Williamsport Area High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[22] 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.[23] 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 high school offers the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. 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 offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[24] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[25] Williamsport Area School District has dual enrollment agreements with Bloomsburg University and Lock Haven University. Additionally, the district offers an Introduction to Literature course on the school's campus in cooperation with Bloomsburg University. The course counts as an English credit for high school graduation.[26] 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.[27]
In 2010 the district received a $10,946 state grant to be used to assist students with tuition, fees and books.
In 2010, the attendance rate was reported as 95%. In the 2009 school year the attendance rate was 95%.[28]
In 2010 and 2009, the school attendance rate was 93%.[35]
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 1156 pupils or 20% of the district's pupils received special education services.[41]
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 Special Education Department.[42]
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.[43]
Williamsport Area School District received a $4,252,043 supplement for special education services in 2010.[44]
The district administration reported that 92 or 1.68% of its students were gifted in 2009.[45] 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 through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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.[46]
The Williamsport Area School District administration reported there were no incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.[47][48]
The Williamsport Area School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[49] 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.[50] 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.[51]
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.[52]
In 2009, the district reports employing over 500 teachers with a starting salary of $40,500 for 7 hour 30 minutes for 180 days for pupil instruction.[53] The average teacher salary was $60,600 while the maximum salary is $146,016.[54] 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.[55] Additionally, Williamsport Area School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 sick days, 5 days bereavement leave and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day[56] 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.[57]
In 2007, the district employed 396 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $57,225 for 180 school days worked. This was the highest average teacher salary in Lycoming County.[58]
Williamsport Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $826.48 per pupil. The district is ranked 160th out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[59]
In 2008, Williamsport Area School District reported spending $11,702 per pupil. This ranked 312th in the commonwealth.[60]
In 2009, the district reported $8,041,231 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $875,000.[61]
In July 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.[62]
The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.[63]
For 2010–11 the Williamsport Area School District received a 5.01% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $26,022,950 payment.[64] Loyalsock Township School District received a 8.13% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Lycoming County. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010–11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010–11. 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.[65]
In the 2009–2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.31% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $24,779,148. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008–09 was $23,529,101.29. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more.[66] Loyalsock Township School District received a 5.94% increase, the highest increase in Lycoming County for the 2009–10 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.[67]
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 3,169 district students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[68]
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 Williamsport Area School District applied for and received $1,084,390 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full day kindergarten for the 7th year.[69][70]
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 Williamsport Area School District received $209,634.[71]
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. Williamsport Area School District did not apply for funding in 2006–07 nor in 2007–08. For the 2008–09, school year the district received $188,223. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[72]
Williamsport Area School District was designated as a before and after school program provider for Lycoming County in 2010. They received state funding – a grant of $351,251. CCLCs provide academic, artistic and cultural enhancement activities to students and their families when school is not in session.[73]
The district received an extra $4,366,195 in ARRA – federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[74] The funding is for the 2009–10 and 2010–11 school years.
In the summer of 2011, the district applied for and was awarded $2,136,051 in School Improvement grants. The district will be transforming the high school. The grant stipulates the funds be used for improving student achievement using one of four federally dictated strategies. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or closure of failing schools. Transformation calls for a change in faculty and administration evaluations, mandated training in proven teaching techniques and rigorous curriculum change that focuses on student achievement.[75] In 2010, the high school was also identified as eligible for a School Improvement Grant.
School district officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district millions in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[76] 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.[77] 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.[78]
The Williamsport Area School Board chose 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.[79] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
The school board set property tax rates in 2011–2012 at 14.1300 mills.[80] 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. 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.[81]
The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not authorized 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.[83]
The School District Adjusted Index for the Williamsport Area School District 2006–2007 through 2010–2011.[84]
Williamsport Area School Board applied for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2010–11 including pension obligations.[85] 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.[86]
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Williamsport Area School District was $310 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 7,860 property owners applied for the tax relief.[87] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's 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. The Pennsylvania Auditor General found that 69% of property owners applied for tax relief in Lycoming County.[88] In Lycoming County, the highest property tax relief in 2009 was $310 awarded to the approved property owners in Williamsport Area School District. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[89] This was the second year Chester Upland School District was the top recipient.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, 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.[90]
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%).[91]
The Williamsport Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies.[92]
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 home schooled, 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.[93]