Susquenita School District

Susquenita School District
Address
1725 Schoolhouse Road Duncannon, Pennsylvania, Perry County and Dauphin County, 17020 United States
Information
School board	9 regionally elected members
Superintendent	Daniel W. Sheats (salary - $119,201 in 2009)
Faculty	148 teachers (2010) [1]
Grades	K-12
Age	5 years old to 21 years old special education
Pupils	1961 (2009–10) [2]
Kindergarten	148
Grade 1	148
Grade 2	139
Grade 3	137
Grade 4	144
Grade 5	145
Grade 6	139
Grade 7	135
Grade 8	144
Grade 9	177
Grade 10	184
Grade 11	159
Grade 12	162
Other	Enrollment projected to decline to 1960 in 2019[3]
Budget	$38,639,240 (2012-13)
Per pupil spending	$13,985.15 (2010)
Per pupil spending	$13,226 (2008)
Website	http://www.susq.k12.pa.us/

Susquenita School District is a midsized, public school district located in Perry County, Pennsylvania and includes one township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Susquenita School District encompasses approximately 87 square miles (230 km²). Susquenita School District encompasses the boroughs of Marysville, New Bufallo, and Duncannon. It also serves the townships Watts, Wheatfield, Penn, and Rye, as well as Reed Dauphin County. According to a 2009 local census data, it serves a resident population of 13,634. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income was $19,511, while median family income was $50,887.^[4] Per school district officials, in school year 2007–08, Susquenita School District provided basic educational services to 1,964 pupils through the employment of 175 teachers, 207 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 15 administrators.

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.^[5] 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.^[6]

The district is served by the Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 which offers a variety of services, including a completely developed K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.

Academic achievement

In 2013, Susquenita School District was ranked 393rd out of 500 Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.^[7] The ranking was based on student academic performance on the last three years of PSSA in: reading, writing, mathematics and science. The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

• 2012 - 341st ^[8]
• 2011 - 322nd^[9]
• 2010 - 312th ^[10]
• 2009 - 325th
• 2008 - 363rd
• 2007 - 362nd out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.^[11]

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Susquenita School District ranked 483rd out of 500 public school districts. The publication describes the ranking as: "the ranking answers the question – which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."^[12]

• 2012 - 461st
• 2011 - 441st
• 2010 - 457th
• 2009 - 477th

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students attending Susquenita School District was in the bottom 29th percentile among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale – (0–99; 100 is state best).^[13]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Susquenita School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status even though none of its schools achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind.^[14] In 2011, Susquenita School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.^[15] Susquenita School District achieved AYP status each year from 2007 to 2010.^[16]

• 2006 - Making Progress - School Improvement I
• 2005 - School Improvement I
• 2004 - Making Progress - School Improvement I
• 2003 - School Improvement I

Graduation rate

In 2007, Johns Hopkins University reported that Susquenita High School was among 47 Pennsylvania schools and 1700 nationwide high schools with high drop out rates.^[17]

In 2012, Susquenita School District's graduation rate was 91%. In 2011, Susquenita School District had a 94% graduation rate.^[18] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Susquenita School District's rate was 91% for 2010.^[19]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

• 2010 – 93%
• 2009 – 86% ^[20]
• 2008 – 86% ^[21]
• 2007 – 86% ^[22]
• 2006 – 75% ^[23]

High school

Susquenita High School is located at 309 Schoolhouse Road, Duncannon. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010 the school had 684 pupils enrolled in grades 9th through 12th grades, with 155 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 55 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.^[24] In 2009, Susquenita High School ranked 467th out of 666 Pennsylvania high schools for the reading and mathematics achievement of its students.^[25]

In 2012, Susquenita High School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in each metric measured. In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status.^[26]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 64% on grade level, (16% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[27]
• 2011 - 78% (8% below basic). State - 69.1% ^[28]
• 2010 – 58%, State – 67%^[29]
• 2009 - 57%, State – 65%^[30]
• 2008 - 67%, State – 65%^[31]
• 2007 - 66%, State – 65%^[32]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 52% on grade level (19% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2011 - 67%, (10% below basic). State - 60.3%
• 2010 - 58%, State – 59%
• 2009 - 49%, State – 56% ^[33]
• 2008 - 49%, State – 56%
• 2007 - 44%, State – 56%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 37% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[34]
• 2011 - 42%, (11% below basic). State - 40%
• 2010 – 40%, State – 39%
• 2009 – 49%, State – 40%
• 2008 – 39%, State – 39%

College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 35% of Susquenita 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.^[35] 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.^[36] 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.

Graduation requirements

To graduate from the Susquenita School District a student is required to earn 27 credits.^[37] Beginning with the class of 2012, students are required to earn the following: English 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Science 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Physical Education 1.5 credits, Health 0.5 credits, and 9 electives.^[38]

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.^[39]

Beginning with the class of 2017, students must take the Keystone Exams in Literature, Biology and Algebra 1.^[40][41]

SAT scores

In 2012, 81 Susquenita School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 494. The Math average score was 505. The Writing average score was 484. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In 2011, 63 Susquenita School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 525. The Math average score was 520. The Writing average score was 504.^[42] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[43] In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.^[44]

Dual enrollment

The high school offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. 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.^[45] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[46]

For the 2009–10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $3,488 for the program.^[47]

Middle school

Susquenita Middle School is located at 200 Susquenita Drive, Duncannon. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010 the school had 572 pupils enrolled in grades 5th through 8th grades, with 178 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 47 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.^[48] In 2011, the attendance rate was 94%; while in 2010 the attendance rate was 95%.^[49]

Susquenita Middle School declined to Warning AYP status in 2012. Susquenita Middle School achieved AYPstatus in 2011.^[50] In 2010, the middle school achieved AYP using the Safe Harbor with Confidence Interval.^[51] Susquenita Middle School was in Making Progress: in Corrective Action II in 2009. The school is especially lagging in reading for economically disadvantaged students and for special education students. The middle school's combined 7th and 8th grades ranked 447th out of 829 Pennsylvania middle schools for student academic achievement in 2008–2009.^[52]

8th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 83% on grade level (7% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.^[53]
• 2011 - 77%, (12% below basic). State - 81.8%
• 2010 – 80%, State – 81%^[54]
• 2009 – 80%, State – 80%^[55]
• 2008 – 77%, State – 78%
• 2007 – 77%, State – 75%

8th Grade Math

• 2012 - 73%, (13% below basic). State - 76% ^[56]
• 2011 - 80%, (7% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 – 82%, State – 75%
• 2009 – 72%, State – 71%
• 2008 – 69%, State – 70%^[57]

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 64% on grade level (13% below basic). State - 59% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2011 - 59%, (18% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 – 61%, State - 57%
• 2009 – 58%, State - 54%
• 2008 – 53%, State – 52%^[58]

7th Grade Reading: 2012 - 67% on grade level (16% below basic). State – 76% 2011 - 74%, (9% below basic). State – 76% 2010 – 70%, State – 73% [59] 2009 – 76%, State – 71% 2008 – 67%, State – 70% 2007 – 71%, State – 66%

7th Grade Math 2012 - 92% on grade level (1% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 76% (6% below basic). State - 69.9% 2010 – 87%, State – 77% [60] 2009 – 67%, State – 75% 2008 – 64%, State – 70%[61] 2007 – 71%, State – 67%

6th Grade Reading 2012 - 63% (17% below basic). State - 68% 2011 - 58% (16% below basic). State - 69.9% 2010 – 64%, State – 68% 2009 – 67%, State – 67% 2008 – 64%, State – 67% 2007 – 56%, State – 63% [62]

6th Grade Math 2012 - 69% (11% below basic). State - 77% 2011 - 78% (7% below basic). State - 78.8% 2010 – 76%, State – 78% 2009 – 74%, State – 75% 2008 – 71%, State – 72% 2007 – 60%, State – 69%

5th Grade Reading 2012 - 50%, (28% below basic). State - 65% 2011 - 70%, (17% below basic). State - 67.3% 2010 – 58%, State – 64% 2009 – 57%, State – 64% 2008 – 54%, State – 61% 2007 – 59%, State – 60%

5th Grade Math 2012 - 58% on grade level (18% below basic). State - 73% 2011 - 72%, (8% below basic). State - 74% 2010 – 68%, State – 74% 2009 – 67%, State – 73% 2008 – 74%, State – 73% 2007 – 65%, State – 70%[63]

Susquenita Elementary School

Susquenita Elementary School is located at 101 Susquenita Drive, Duncannon. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010 the school had 668 pupils enrolled in grades kindergarten through 4th grades, with 236 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 50 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.^[64] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[65]

In 2012, Susquenita Elementary School declined further to Corrective Action I AYP status under No Child Left Behind due to low reading achievement.^[66] In 2011, Susquenita Elementary School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement II level.^[67] Susquenita Elementary School declined to School Improvement II status due to low reading skills in 2010. It was cited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a candidate for a School Improvement intervention. The school was eligible for extra funding from the state and federal government.^[68] Susquenita Elementary School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I due to low reading skills for special education students in 2009.

4th Grade Reading 2012 - 64% (13% below basic). State - 72% [69] 2011 - 68% (12% below basic), State – 73.3% 2010 - 76%, State – 72% [70] 2009 - 74%, State – 72% 2008 - 73%, State – 70% [71] 2007 - 74%, State – 70%

4th Grade Math 2012 - 70% (15% below basic). State - 82% 2011 - 76% (9% below basic), State – 85.3% 2010 - 91%, State – 84% 2009 - 89%, State – 81% 2008 - 92%, State – 79% 2007 - 83%, State – 77%

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 83% (3% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 88% (0% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 – 87%, State – 81.4%
• 2009 – 91%, State – 83%
• 2008 – 87%, State – 81%

3rd Grade Reading 2012 - 68% (20% below basic). State - 74% 2011 - 78% (10% below basic), State – 77.2% 2010 – 71%, State – 75% 2009 – 81%, State – 77% 2008 - 82%, State - 80% 2007 – 77%, State – 72% 2006 – 73%, State – 69%

3rd Grade Math 2012 - 78% (8% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 79% (2% below basic), State – 83.5% 2010 – 81%, State – 84.5% 2009 – 87%, State – 81% 2008 – 84%, State – 80% 2007 – 82%, State – 78% [72] 2006 – 88%, State – 82%[73]

Special education

In December 2010, Susquenita School District administration reported that 351 pupils or 187% of the District's pupils received Special Education services, with 56% of those identified as having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the district administration reported that 361 pupils or 18% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.^[74]

In compliance with state and federal laws, 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 Department of Special Education.^[75]

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides public school districts with a statewide total of $1,026,815,000 for 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.^[76] The Special Education funding structure is through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and state appropriations. IDEA funds are appropriated to the state on an annual basis and distributed through intermediate units (IUs) to school districts, while state funds are distributed directly to the districts. Total funds that are received by school districts are calculated through a formula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversees four appropriations used to fund students with special needs: Special Education; Approved Private Schools; Pennsylvania Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Early Intervention. The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district’s students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student’s needs accrue the same level of costs.^[77] The state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.^[78] Over identification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.^[79]

Susquenita School District received a $1,331,925 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[80] For the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years, 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.^[81][82]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 81 or 4.19% of its students were gifted in 2009.^[83] 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.^[84]

Bullying policy

While there were 35 school safety incidents in 2011, Susquenita School District Administration reported there were no incidents of bullying in the District.^[85] Susquenita School District Administration reported there were 3 incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.^[86]

The Susquenita School Board has provided the district's antibully/cyberbullying policy online.^[87] 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.^[88] 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.^[89]

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.^[90]

Budget

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Susquenita School District was $49,913 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $15,742 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $66,656.^[91]

In 2009, Susquenita School District administration reported employing 181 teachers with an average salary of $49,333.^[92] The salary range was $39,191 to $87,290.^[93]

In 2007, Susquenita School District employed 149 teachers who earned an average teacher salary of $48,089 for 180 days worked.^[94] 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.^[95] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, a retirement bonus and other benefits.^[96] For the 2008–09 and 2009–10 school years, teachers paid a contribution towards their employer based health insurance.^[97] 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.^[98] In April 2010 the board and union agreed to a fact finder report which called for: 3.10 percent salary increase inclusive of step retroactive for 2009–10, and a 3 percent step-inclusive increase for 2010–11 and 2011–12, a step for Master’s Degree plus 30 credits be added to the schedule, and a three-year contract.^[99][100]

Susquenita School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $753.76 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[101]

Per pupil spending In 2008, the district reported spending $13,226 per pupil which ranked 161st in the commonwealth.^[102] In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $15,299.29 ^[103] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.^[104] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.^[105] The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year year 2000-01.^[106]

Fund Balance Reserves In 2008, district officials reported an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $5,545,468.00.^[107] In 2010, Susquenita School District Administration reported $4,794,124 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance and a reserved-undesignated fund balance of $5,000,000 for total reserves of $9,794,124. Pennsylvania public school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.^[108]

Audit In May 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the school board members and the administration.^[109]

Tuition Students who live in the District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Susquenita School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $8,695.88, High School - $10,437.95.^[110]

Susquenita School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.8%, 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 of the individual wealth.^[111]

State basic education funding

For the 2012-13 school year, Susquenita School District received $7,905,514 in state basic education funding.^[112] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block grant program. Susquenita School District received $160,336 for 2012-13. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.^[113] This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett’s first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

For the 2011-12 school year, Susquenita School District received $7,745,178 in state Basic Education Funding.^[114][115] Additionally, the district will receive $160,336 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.^[116] Districts experienced a reduction in funding, due to the loss of federal stimulus funding, which ended in 2011. In 2010, the district reported that 558 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010–11 school year, the state provided Susquenita School District with a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,404,930. Among Perry County school districts the highest funding increase went to West Perry School District at 5.14%. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a base 2% increase in state basic education funding. The highest increase of state funding in 2010–11 was 23.65% which went to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County.^[117] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by then Governor Edward G. Rendell and then Secretary of Education, Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's plan to have the state fund some school districts at a much higher rate than others.^[118]

In the 2009–2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.39% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,240,128. This was the highest funding increase in the county. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008–09 was $7,745,178.40. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 508 students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.^[119] The district also received supplemental funding for: Title I (federal funding for low-income students), for district size, a poverty supplement from the Commonwealth and more. The highest state funding increase was 22.31% to Muhlenberg School District in Berks County.^[120] The Susquenita School District reported that, in 2009, 508 pupils qualified for the free and reduced-price lunch program due to meeting the federal poverty level.^[121]

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 district applied for and received $435,193 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The Susquenita School District uses the funding to provide reduced class size K-3rd (3rd year) and for full-day kindergarten (1st year – 2009).^{[122][123][124]}

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use.^[125] The program was funded from 2006 through 2009. Susquenita School District received funding in 2008 of $268,410.^[126] In 2009 the district received $48,973.^[127]

Education Assistance grant

Susquenita School Administration did not apply for the state's Education Assistance Grant. 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.^[128][129]

Environmental Education Grant

The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2012, Susquenita School District was awarded $6,418.^[130] Grant recipients must use the funding for various initiatives, including environmental field trips for students, implementing environmental education curriculum at schools

Other grants available

Susquenita School District did not participate in PreK Counts (taxpayer funded preschool), Science Its Elementary grants, the federal 21st Century Learning grants, the federal Safe Schools Targeted Grant nor the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant. One Perry County school district received the Literacy grant funding and another Perry County District receives PreK Counts funding.^[131]

Federal Stimulus ARRA

The district received an extra $1,598,172 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.^[132] This was in addition to all regular, annual state and federal funding. The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.^[133] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top Grant

Susquenita School District officials chose to 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.^[134] 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.^[135] 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.^[136]

School Improvement Grant

In the summer of 2011, the Susquenita School District administration did not apply for School Improvement Grant funding, from the federal government (over $9.9 million available). Susquenita Elementary School was eligible for funding. 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. The Pennsylvania Education Secretary awarded $66 Million to reform Pennsylvania's lowest-achieving schools^[137]

For 2010-11, Susquenita School District did not apply for a School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the elementary school.^[138]

In 2010, Pennsylvania received $141 million from the federal department of education, to turn around its worst-performing schools. The funds were disbursed via a competitive grant program.^[139] The Pennsylvania Department of Education has identified 200 Pennsylvania schools as "persistently lowest-achieving," making them eligible for this special funding.^[140] Pennsylvania required low performing schools to apply or provide documentation about why they had not applied. The funds must be used, by the district, to turn around schools in one of four ways: school closure, restart - close the school and reopen it as a charter school. The other two options involve firing the principal. One would require at least half the faculty in a chronically poor performing school be dismissed. The second involves intensive teacher training coupled with strong curriculum revision or a longer school day.^[141]

Common Cents 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.^[142] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

For the 2012-13 school year, the Susquenita School Board levied real estate taxes on district property owners, in Dauphin County, at 19.5550 mills. Property taxes for district residents, in Perry County, were set at 12.2000 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 and across a region. 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. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.^[143]

Susquenita School District includes municipalities in two different counties, each county has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a state board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.^[144] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.^[145]

• 2011-12 - Dauphin County – 20.7950 mills. Perry County – 12.20 mills.
• 2010-11 - Dauphin County – 20.3740 mills. Perry County – 17.00 mills.
• 2009–10 – Dauphin County – 20.7530 mills. Perry County – 16.9900 mills.^[146]
• 2008–09 – Dauphin County – 21.0930 mills. Perry County – 17.0000 mills.^[147]
• 2007–08 – Dauphin County – 22.0300 mills. Perry County – 17.0000 mills.
• 2006–07 – Dauphin County – 21.9200 mills. Perry County – 17.0000 mills.

According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.^[148] The average yearly property tax paid by Perry County residents amounts to about 3.11% of their yearly income. Perry County is ranked 538th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. In Dauphin County, property owners pay 3.48% of their income in property taxes which ranks 382nd in the USA.^[149]

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.^[150]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Susquenita School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.^[151]

2006–07 – 5.2%, Base 3.9% 2007–08 – 4.6%, 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% 2012-13 - 2.3%, Base 1.7% [152] 2013-14 - 2.3%, Base 1.7%

For the 2012-13 budget year, Susquenita School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. In Area School District the approved real estate tax rate Increase due to exceptions was 3.7148 mills.^[153]

Susquenita School Board applied for several exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011, including: special education costs, maintenance of local effort, and pension costs.^[154] 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.^[155]

Property tax relief

For the 2012-13 school year, approved homesteads received $178 in property tax relief. For 2010, the residents received $180 in property tax relief. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. In the district, 4184 property owners applied for the tax relief. 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 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Susquenita School District was $182 per approved permanent primary residence. This was among the lowest amounts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the district, 4143 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.

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, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate.^[156]

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%).^[157]

Extracurricular

The district offers a variety of: clubs, activities and a costly sports programs. Eligibility to participate is set by the school board.^[158]

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.^[159]

The drama department was nominated for two Hershey Apollo awards (best pit band and best play) and won the award for 2011 best pit band.

Sports

The District funds:

Boys Baseball - AA Basketball- AA Cross Country - AA Football - AA Soccer - AA Tennis - AA Track and Field - AA Wrestling - AA

Girls Basketball - AAA Cross Country - AA Field Hockey - AA Soccer (Fall) - AA Softball - AA Girls' Tennis - AA Track and Field - AA

Junior high school sports

Boys Basketball Football Soccer Wrestling

Girls Basketball Field Hockey Soccer (fall)

According to PIAA directory July 2012 ^[160]

References

External links

• Susquenita School District website

v t e Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Schools Main School Districts Central Dauphin Central Dauphin High School Central Dauphin East High School Derry Township Hershey High School Halifax Area Halifax Area High School Halifax Area Middle School Harrisburg Harrisburg High School Harrisburg University of Science and Technology High School Lower Dauphin Lower Dauphin High School Middletown Area Middletown Area High School Millersburg Millersburg Area High School Steelton-Highspire Steelton-Highspire High School Susquehanna Township Susquehanna Township High School Upper Dauphin Upper Dauphin High School Other Schools Charter schools Capital Area School for the Arts Infinity Charter School Pennsylvania Distance and Electronic Learning Charter School Sylvan Heights Science Charter School Private schools Berrysburg Christian Academy Covenant Christian Academy Emmanuel Wesleyan Academy Harrisburg Christian School Middletown Christian School Milton Hershey School Wordsworth Academy Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt High School Susquenita School District (partially located in Perry County) Susquenita High School Williams Valley School District (partially located in Schuylkill County) Williams Valley Junior/Senior High School

v t e Perry County, Pennsylvania Schools Main School Districts Newport Newport High School West Perry West Perry High School Other Schools Fannett-Metal (partially located in Franklin County) Fannett-Metal High School Greenwood (partially located in Juniata County) Greenwood High School (Pennsylvania) Private schools Carson Long Military Institute Susquenita School District (partially located in Dauphin County) Susquenita High School