Mount Carmel Area School District

For other schools with the same name, see Mount Carmel High School (disambiguation).

Mount Carmel Area School District
Shows a portion of Mount Carmel ASD
Address
600 West 5th Street Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, Northumberland County, Columbia County, 17851 United States
Information
Type	Public
School board	9 elected members
Superintendent	Bernard Stellar salary $66,096 (2013)
Administrator	Mrs. Monica McKerns-O'Donnell director of special ed Mrs. Lisa Varano, Curriculum Coordinator, salary $75,000 (2013) Ms. Susan Nestico, Federal Program Coordinator Mr. Charles Mannello, Business Comsultant
Director	Mr. Gregory Scavage, Athletics Director, salary $60,843[1]
Principal	Ms. Susan Nestico ES
Principal	Mrs. Lisa Varano HS
Principal	Pete Cheddar, JHS
Staff	101 nonteaching staff members in 2011
Faculty	105 teachers (2012), 107 (2010)[2]
Grades	PreK-12
Age	4 years old to 21 years old special education
Pupils	1,583 pupils (2013)[3] 1,553 pupils (2010-11)[4] 1,637 pupils (2009)
• Kindergarten	130 (2014),[5] 130 (2012), 187 (2010)
• Grade 1	157 (2012), 99
• Grade 2	127 (2012), 119
• Grade 3	103 (2012), 96
• Grade 4	91 (2012), 115
• Grade 5	122 (2012), 141
• Grade 6	101 (2012), 101
• Grade 7	133 (2012), 92
• Grade 8	120 (2012), 125
• Grade 9	108 (2012), 142
• Grade 10	98 (2012), 120
• Grade 11	119 (2012), 144
• Grade 12	136 (2012), 113 (2010)
• Other	Enrollment declining to 1,568 pupils by 2019[6]
Language	English
Mascot	Tornadoes
Budget	16,655,343 (2013-14)[7] $16 million (2012) $17.4 million
Per pupil Spending	$10,861.41 (2010)
Per pupil Spending	$9,126 (2008)
Website	http://www.mca.k12.pa.us/

Mount Carmel Area School District is a small, suburban, public school district in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The District is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania. It serves Mount Carmel, Kulpmont, Marion Heights, and Mount Carmel Township in Northumberland County, as well as the borough of Centralia in Columbia County. The Mount Carmel Area School District encompasses approximately 24 square miles (62 km²). According to 2000 local census data, it served a resident population of 12,815. By 2010, the District's population declined to 12,555 people.^[8] The educational attainment levels for the School District population (25 years old and over) were 85.3% high school graduates and 14.3% college graduates.^[9]

According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 69.2% of the District’s pupils lived at 185% or below the Federal Poverty level as shown by their eligibility for the federal free or reduced price school meal programs in 2012.^[10] In 2009, Mount Carmel Area School District residents' per capita income was $15,294, while the median family income was $35,239.^[11] In Northumberland County, the median household income was $38,397.^[12] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501^[13] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.^[14] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.^[15]

Per school district officials, in school year 2007-08, the Mount Carmel Area School District provided basic educational services to 1,695 pupils through the employment of 120 teachers, 136 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 4 administrators. Mount Carmel Area School District received more than $10.9 million in state funding, for school year 2007-08. In school year 2009-10, Mount Carmel Area School District had 1,595 pupils. The District employed: 120 teachers, 136 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 4 administrators.^[16]

Mount Carmel Area School District operates three schools: Mount Carmel Area Elementary School, Mount Carmel Area Junior High School and Mount Carmel Area High School. The District also provides taxpayer funded, full day preschool for 4 year olds.

Mount Carmel Area High School students may choose to attend Northumberland County Career Technology Center for training in the trades. The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit CSIU16 provides the District with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Governance

Mount Carmel Area 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.^[17] 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 Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent regarding renewal of the employment contract.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" 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.^[18]

Academic achievement

In 2015, Mount Carmel Area School District ranked 404th out of 496 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. ^[19] The ranking is based on the last 3 years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in: reading, writing, math and science and the three Keystone Exams (literature, Algebra 1, Biology I) in high school.^[20] Three school districts were excluded because they do not operate high schools (Saint Clair Area School District, Midland Borough School District, Duquesne City School District). The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th. Adapted PSSA examinations are given to children in the special education programs. Writing exams were given to children in 5th and 8th grades.

2014 - 380th[21] 2013 - 323rd[22] 2012 - 261st[23] 2011 - 309th[24]

2010 - 371st[25] 2009 - 365th 2008 - 315th 2007 - 328th out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts.[26]

Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program In April 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying one Mount Carmel Area School District school as among the lowest achieving schools for reading and mathematics in 2013.^[27] Mount Carmel Area High School was among the 15% lowest achieving schools in the Commonwealth. Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012.^[28][29] The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.^[30] Fifty-three public schools in Allegheny County are among the lowest-achieving schools in 2011. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District.^[31] Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

District AYP status history

In 2012, Mount Carmel Area School District declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to lagging student achievement.^[32] In 2011, Mount Carmel Area 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 skills. 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.^[33] Mount Carmel Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2009, while in 2003, Mount Carmel Area School District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.^[34]

Graduation rate

In 2014, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 88%.^[35] In 2013, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 87.93%.^[36] In 2012, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 87%.^[37] In 2011, Mount Carmel Area School District's graduation rate was 94%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Mount Carmel Area High School's rate was 76.26% for 2010.^[38]

Former formula AYP graduation rate:

• 2010 - 93% ^[39]
• 2009 - 92% ^[40]
• 2008 - 90% ^[41]
• 2007 - 90% ^[42]

High school

Mount Carmel Area High School is located at 600 West 5th Street, Mount Carmel. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 461 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 48.59% of pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 18.65% of pupils receiving special education services, while 3.6% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 41 teachers.^[43] Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 499 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 211 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 50 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1.^[44] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[45]

2014 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Area High School achieved 60.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 66.6% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 63% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 51% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.^[46][47] Among the high schools in the IU16 region, Mount Carmel's achievement ranked 15th out of 16.^[48]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.^[49] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.^[50][51]

Compared with last year, the percentage of schools that earned below 60 declined by nearly 1 percent per Secretayr of Education Carolyn Dumaresq. She reported that this is an indication that student achievement is improving as school resources are being used better.^[52]

2013 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Area High School achieved 56.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - just 68% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 55.66% demonstrated on grade level skills math skills. In Biology, just 37.38% showed on grade level science understanding.^[53] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, they now take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.^[54]

Adequate Yearly Progress history

In 2012, Mount Carmel Area High School declined to Warning AYP status due to missing all academic metrics.^[55] In 2010 and 2011, Mount Carmel Area High School achieved AYP status.^[56]

• 2010 - Making Progress School Improvement 1
• 2009 - declined to School Improvement 1 due to low student academic achievement
• 2008 - declined to Warning AYP status
• 2007 - Achieved AYP status
• 2006 - declined to Warning AYP status
• 2005 - Achieved AYP status
• 2004 - Achieved AYP status
• 2003 - Warning AYP status due to lagging student academic achievement

PSSA Results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.^[57]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 57% on grade level. (23% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. Ranks 15h out of 19 CSIU region 11th grades for reading.^[58]
• 2011 - 68% (20% below basic). State - 66%. Ranks 10th out of 19 CSIU region 11th grades for reading.^[59]
• 2010 - 72%, State - 66%
• 2009 - 56%, State - 65% ^[60]
• 2008 - 48%, State - 65%
• 2007 - 67%, State - 65%^[61]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 32% on grade level. (41% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level. Ranked 17th out of 19 CSIU region 11th grades for Math.
• 2011 - 59% (22% below basic). State - 60%. Ranked 12th out of 19 CSIU region 11th grades for Math.^[62]
• 2010 - 63%, State - 59% ^[39]
• 2009 - 50%, State - 56% ^[63]
• 2008 - 48%, State - 56%
• 2007 - 55%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 33%, (14% below basic). State - 42%. Ranked 16th out of 19 CSIU region 11th grades for Science.
• 2011 - 39%, (9% below basic). State - 40%. Ranked 11th out of 19 CSIU region 11th grades for Science.^[64]
• 2010 - 39%, State - 39%
• 2009 - 29%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 21%, State - 39% ^[65]

Science in Motion Mount Carmel Area High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.^[66] Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 21% of Mount Carmel Area School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.^[67] 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.^[68] 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.

Dual enrollment

The Mount Carmel Area 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 at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. In 2010, the state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.^[69] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[70] Under state rules, other students that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are home schooled are eligible to participate in this program.^[71] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $13,255 for the program.^[72]

SAT scores

In 2014, Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 468. The Math average score was 473. The Writing average score was 434.^[73] Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.^[74]

In 2013, 88 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 471. The Math average score was 454. The Writing average score was 447. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nation-wide SAT results were the same as in 2012.^[75]

In 2012, 72 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 450. The Math average score was 464. The Writing average score was 448. 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, 86 Mount Carmel Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 460. The Math average score was 465. The Writing average score was 450.^[76] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[77] 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.^[78]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania’s SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.^[79]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.

AP Courses

In 2013, Mount Carmel Area High School offered 5 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Mount Carmel Area High School 10% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.^[80]

In 2014, Mount Carmel Area High School offered 9 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).^[81] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2014, just 15% of Mount Carmel Area pupils who took the AP exam, achieved a 3 or better.^[82]

ACE

Mount Carmel Area School District students have access to Bloomsburg University's Summer College and Advanced College Experience (ACE) during the summer of their sophomore, junior and senior years (after high school graduation). Tuition is deeply discounted to 75% of the regular student rate.^[83] Successful students earn college credits that can be transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) system.^[70]

Mount Carmel Junior High School

Mount Carmel Junior High School is located at 600 W 5th Street, Mount Carmel. In 2013, Mount Carmel Junior High School reported an enrollment of 253 pupils in grades 7th and 8th, with 54.9% of pupils eligible for a federal free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 4.35% of pupils received special education services, while 4.35% of pupils were identified as gifted.^[84] According to a 2013 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[85]

2014 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Junior High School achieved 65.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 65% were on grade level. In Algebra 1/Math, 68% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Science, 53.8% of 8th graders showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 66.6% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.^[86]

2013 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Junior High School achieved 65 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, just 65% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 73.7% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 54% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 55% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.^[87]

AYP status;

In 2012 and 2011, Mount Carmel Junior High School achieved AYP status.^[88] In 2010, the school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I AYP status. In 2009, the school was in Did Not Make AYP School Improvement I status.^[89] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the administration to develop and implement a School Improvement plan to raise student academic achievement in reading and mathematics.

PSSA Results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are NCLB related examination given in the Spring of each school year. Seventh graders have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999.^[90] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.^[91] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[92] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.^[93]

8th Grade Reading: 2012 - 75% on grade level (11% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[94] 2011 - 86.6% (6% below basic). State - 81.8% [95] 2010 - 87%, State - 82% 2009 - 77%, State - 80% [96] 2008 - 78%, State - 78% 2007 - 81%, State - 75%

8th Grade Math: 2012 - 72% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 76% [97] 2011 - 87.7% (2% below basic). State - 76.9% [98] 2010 - 82%, State - 75% 2009 - 59%, State - 71%. Ranked 18th out of 18 eighth grades in the CSIU16 region.[99] 2008 - 78%, State - 70% [100] 2007 - 71%, State - 68%

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 49% on grade level (19% below basic). State - 59% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2011 - 59.6% (16% below basic). State – 58.3% ^[101]
• 2010 - 54%, State - 57%
• 2009 - 53%, State - 54%
• 2008 - 53%, State - 52% ^[102] The eighth grade ranked 13th out of 19 Central Pennsylvania IU16 schools for science scores in 2008.^[103]

7th Grade Reading: 2012 - 69% on grade level (13% below basic). State – 76% 2011 - 73% (5% below basic). State – 76% 2010 - 81%, State - 73% 2009 - 67%, State - 71% [104] 2008 - 61% (22% below basic), State - 70% 2007 - 67% (15% below basic), State - 67%

7th Grade Math: 2012 - 86% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 73.5% (12% below basic). State - 78.6% 2010 - 89%, (4% below basic). State - 78% 2009 - 78% (11% below basic), State - 75% 2008 - 60% (22% below basic), State - 71% 2007 - 74% (11% below basic), State - 67%

Elementary School

Mount Carmel Area Elementary School is located at 630 W 5th Street, Mount Carmel. In 2013, Mount Carmel Area Elementary School's enrollment was 869 pupils in preschool through 6th, with 61% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 13.9% of the pupils receive special education services, while 1.7% are identified as gifted.^[105] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school provides full day kindergarten since 2008.^[106] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In 2010, Mount Carmel Area Elementary School had 834 students enrolled in grades preschool through 6th grades, with 452 receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 58 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.^[107]

2014 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Area Elementary School achieved a score of 81.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 65% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, just 63.8% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 69% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 86% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 76 of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[108]

2013 School Performance Profile

Mount Carmel Area Elementary School achieved a score of 64.8 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 62% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 68% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 71% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 49% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[109]

AYP history status

In 2012, Mount Carmel Area Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to chronic, lagging student academic achievement especially in reading.^[110] Mount Carmel Area Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011. The attendance rate was 94% in both years.^[111]

6th Grade Reading: 2012 - 67% on grade level. (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 68% of 6th graders are on grade level.[112] 2011 - 70%, 35% advanced. State - 69.9% [113] 2010 - 64.9%, 37% advanced. State - 68% 2009 - 72%, (12% below basic). State - 67% 2008 - 71%, (9% below basic). State - 67% 2007 - 63.7%, State - 63%

6th Grade Math: 2012 - 86% on grade level, 55% advanced. State - 77% 2011 - 89%, 68% advanced. State - 78.8% 2010 - 82.7%, 47% advanced. State - 78% 2009 - 77%, 47% advanced. State - 75% [114] 2008 - 77%, 47% advanced. State - 72% [115] 2007 - 67.5%, State - 69%

5th Grade Reading: 2012 - 62% on grade level (20% below basic). State - 65% . Ranks 23rd among 29 5th grades in CSIU16 region. 2011 - 72% (10.8% below basic). State - 67.3%. Ranks 18th among 29 5th grades in CSIU16 region. 2010 - 69.3% (12% below basic). State – 64% 2009 - 48.4%, (27% below basic). State - 64% 2008 - 70%, (14% below basic). State - 62% 2007 - 61%, State - 60% [116]

5th Grade Math: 2012 - 76% on grade level 40% advanced. State - 73%. Ranks 21st among 29 5th grades in CSIU16 region. 2011 - 86.4% on grade level 55% advanced. State - 74%. Ranks 11th among 29 5th grades in CSIU16 region. 2010 - 85.8%, 55% advanced. State - 76% 2009 - 60.%, (16% below basic). State - 73% 2008 - 79% (6% below basic), State - 73% 2007 - 72% (10% below basic), State - 71%

4th Grade Reading 2012 - 83%, (3% below basic). State – 72%. Ranks 8th among 4th grades in CSIU16 region. 2011 - 79.6%, (2% below basic). State – 73.3% [117] 2010 - 77.5%, (4% below basic). State - 73% 2009 - 72%, (13% below basic). State - 72% 2008 - 62%, (13% below basic). State - 70% 2007 - 72%, State - 60%

4th Grade Math 2012 - 89%, 45% advanced. State – 82%. Ranks 20th among 4th grades in CSIU16 region. 2011 - 95.6%, 66% advanced. State – 85.3% 2010 - 95.3%, 67% advanced. State - 84% 2009 - 85.1%, 52% advanced. State - 81% 2008 - 78%, 37% advanced. State - 80% 2007 - 82.1%, State - 78%

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 95%, 71% advanced. State – 82%. Ranks 9th among 4th grades in CSIU16 region.
• 2011 - 100%, 89.9% advanced. State – 82.9% ^[118]
• 2010 - 93.6%, 63% advanced. State - 81%
• 2009 - 81.9%, 45% advanced. State - 83%
• 2008 - 82.3%, State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading 2012 - 90%, 27% advanced. State – 74%. Ranks 5th among 3rd grades in CSIU16 region. 2011 - 93%, 34% advanced. State – 77.2% [119] 2010 - 74%, (9% below basic). State - 75% 2009 - 80%, (11% below basic). State - 77% 2008 - 81%, (8% below basic). State - 70% 2007 - 76.8%, State - 72%

3rd Grade Math 2012 - 92%, 55% advanced. State – 80%. Ranks 8th among 3rd grades in CSIU16 region. 2011 - 96.2%, 58% advanced. State – 83.5% 2010 - 93%, 55% advanced. State - 84% 2009 - 88%, 58% advanced. State - 81% 2008 - 86%, 48% advanced. State - 80% 2007 - 86.3%, State - 78%

Preschool

Mount Carmel Area School District receives state funding to provide free preschool at the elementary school. For the 2011 school year, Pre-K Counts was funded at the 2010 levels of $83.6 million statewide in Gov. Tom Corbett`s proposed budget,. The state also supplements the federal Head Start preschool program with an additional $37.6 million. Pre-K Counts funding was initiated during the Rendell administration. In 2007-08 the state funded Pre-K Counts at $75 million. Mount Carmel Area School District received funding in 2007-08.^[120] In 2009-2010, the District received $316,000 to provide preschool to 42 children.^[121][122] For the 2013-2014 school year, Mount Carmel Area School District received $297,160 in PreK Counts funding from the state.^[123]

Special education

In December 2012, Mount Carmel Area School District administration reported that 237 pupils or 14.9% of the District's pupils received Special Education services, with 57.4% of the identified pupils having specific learning disabilities.^[124] In December 2010, the District administration reported that 199 pupils or 12.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.^[125] Among the identified students, 56% had a specific learning disability. In 2009, 195 Mount Carmel Area School District students received special education services.

In 2007, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak testified before the Pennsylvania House Education Committee regarding full day kindergarten. He claimed that districts which offered the program would see a significant decrease in special education students due to early identification and early intervention. He asserted the high cost of full day kindergarten would be recouped by Districts in lower special education costs.^[126] Mount Carmel has provided taxpayer funded preschool and full day kindergarten since at least 2003. Mount Carmel Area School District has seen an increase in the percentage of special education students it serves, yielding no savings.

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $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.^[127] 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.^[128] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.^[129] Overidentification 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.^[130]

Mount Carmel Area School District received a $1,050,288 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[131] For the 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-2011. 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.^[132] In 2014-15, Mount Carmel Area received an increase to $1,068,874 in special education funding from the state.

Gifted education

Mount Carmel Area School District Administration reported that 47 or 2.68% of its students were gifted in 2009.^[133] 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.^[134][135]

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). An annual operating budget is prepared by school district administrative officials. A uniform form is furnished by the PDE and submitted to the board of school directors for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year on July 1.

Under Pennsylvania’s Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.^[136]

For the 2012-2013 school year, the average salary of teachers in the Mount Carmel area School District was $42,054, while the cost of the benefits the teachers receive was $22,373 for a total compensation of $64,427 a year.^[137] The District employed 155 teachers and administrators with a maximum salary of $75,000.^[138]

In 2011-2012, the average teacher salary in Mount Carmel Area School District was $43,833 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $18,217 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $62,050.^[139] In 2011-12, the District employed 117 teachers and administrators with an average salary of $45,148 and a top salary of $67,000.^[140] In September 2012, the Mount Carmel Area School Board voted to hire Bernie Stellar as superintendent with a starting salary of $90,000.^[141] Stellar was awarded a five-year contract. He is a Mount Carmel Area School District alumnus and will remain the band director for the District. Stellar will receive additional compensation for his ongoing work with the band.

In 2009, Mount Carmel Area School District reported employing 152 teachers and administrators with a salary range of $31,000 to $101,468.^[142] The average teacher salary was $43,265. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.^[143]

In 2007, Mount Carmel Area School District employed 108 teachers who earned an average teacher salary of $38,246 for 180 days worked.^[144] 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.^[145] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits.^[146] According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.^[147]

Per pupil spending The Mount Carmel Area School District administrative costs per pupil were $553.68 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[148]

In 2008, the Mount Carmel Area School Diistrict administration reported that per pupil spending was $9,126 which ranked 220th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010 the per pupil spending had increased to $10,861.41.^[149] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.^[150] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.^[151]

Reserves In 2008, Mount Carmel Area School District reported a balance of $500,000 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $2,093,707. ^[152] In 2010, Mount Carmel Area Administration reported a decline to $1,099,318 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. There was $700,000 in its unreserved - designated fund. By 2012, the Board had increased the reserves to $3,747,900.^[153] Pennsylvania 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.^[154]

Audit In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.^[155]

Tuition Students who live in the Mount Carmel Area School 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 Mount Carmel Area School District. For all these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each public 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 - $6,811, High School - $8,189^[156]

The Mount Carmel Area School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax,^[157] a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government.^[158] Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Interest earnings on accounts also provide nontax income to the District. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of the individual’s personal wealth.^[159] The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both are free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.^[160]

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Mount Carmel Area School District receives 69.2% of its annual District revenues from the state.^[161]

For the 2014-15 school year, Mount Carmel Area School District will receive $7,848,889 in State Basic Education funding. The District will also receive $124,089 in Accountability Block Grant funding and $132,224 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State’s enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-2015 Basic Education Funding.^[162] The Education budget also includes Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system (PSERS). In total, Pennsylvania’s Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013-2014 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.^[163]

For the 2013-14 school year, Mount Carmel Area School District received a 1.7% increase or $7,843,102 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $129,609 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Mount Carmel Area School District received $124,089 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Northumberland County, Shikellamy School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 1.9%. The Mount Carmel Area School District has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth’s budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding.^[164] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent.^[165] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.^[166]

For the 2012-13 school year, the Mount Carmel Area School District will receive $7,837,582.^[167] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 includes $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which is an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. The state provided $100 million for the Accountability Block grant. Mount Carmel Area School District received $124,089 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement. The state paid $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.^[168] 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.

In 2011-12 budget year, Mount Carmel Area School District received $7,713,150 in state Basic Education Funding.^[169][170] Additionally, the district will receive $124,089 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.^[171] Some public school Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011. In 2010, the Mount Carmel Area School District reported that 915 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 budget year, Mount Carmel Area School District received a 5.92% increase, in state basic education funding, for a total of $8,013,204. The highest increase in state funding, among Northumberland County school districts, was awarded to Milton Area School District at 6.46% increase. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received the 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state went to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was awarded a 23.65% increase, in state basic education funding.^[172] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell’s policy to fund some public school districts at a far greater rate than others.^[173]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.23% increase in Basic Education Funding, to the Mount Carmel Area School District for a total of $8,013,205.^[174] 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. In Pennsylvania, the highest state funding increase was 22.31% to Muhlenberg School District.^[175] The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.^[176]

In 2008-09, the state Basic Education Funding to the Mount Carmel Area School District was $7,543,570.75. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 877 students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.

Accountability Block Grant

The state provides additional education funding to schools in the form of Accountability Block Grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses designed to improve student academic achievement. Mount Carmel Area School District uses its $336,809 to fund all day kindergarten for the sixth year and a taxpayer-funded preschool program. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding and all federal funding.^[177] School Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants.^[178] In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all-day kindergartens.^[179]

Ready to Learn grant

Beginning in the 2014-2015 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the numer of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the Districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.^[180]

Mount Carmel Area School District will receive $132,224 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, Accountability Block Grant funding, PreK Counts funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

Science It’s Elementary grant

Mount Carmel Area Elementary School successfully applied to participate and received a Science It’s Elementary grant in 2008-09. For the 2008-09 school year, the program was offered in 143 schools reaching 2,847 teachers and 66,973 students across Pennsylvania.^[181] In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education initiated an effort to improve science instruction in the Commonwealth’s public elementary schools. Called Science: It’s Elementary, the program is a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.^[182] To encourage schools to adopt the program’s standards aligned curriculum, the state provided a grant to cover the costs of materials and extensive mandatory teacher training.^[183] The district was required to develop a three-year implementation plan for the participating school. They had to appoint a district liaison who was paid $3000 by PDE to serve as the conduit of all information between the district and the Department and its agents along with submitting orders and distributing supplies to implementing teachers. For the 2006-07 state education budget, $10 million was allocated. The 2006-07 State Education Budget provided $635 million in new spending for pre-K through 12th grades for the 2006-07 school year. This marks an 8-percent increase over 2005-06 public school funding.^[184] The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget. The grant was discontinued in 2010 by Governor Rendell due to a massive state budget.

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, Mathematics) and paid for mandatory teacher training to optimize the computers' use in the classroom for improving instruction. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Mount Carmel Area School District administration applied but was denied the grant in 2006-2007. In 2007-2008, the District received $$162,473 in funding. For the 2008-2009, school year the District received a final $45,413 for a total funding of $207,886. Among the public school districts in Northumberland County, Shikellamy School District received the highest funding at $373,690. The highest funding state-wide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state budget crisis. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.^[185]

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. In 2010-11 the Mount Carmel Area School District did not apply for funding.^[186]

PreK Counts grant

Mount Carmel Area School District receives state funding to provide preschool at the elementary school. For the 2011 school year, Pre-K Counts was funded at the 2010 levels of $83.6 million statewide in Gov. Tom Corbett`s proposed budget,. The state also supplements the federal Head Start preschool program with an additional $37.6 million. Pre-K Counts funding was initiated during the Rendell administration. In 2007-08 the state funded Pre-K Counts at $75 million. Mount Carmel Area School District received funding in 2007-2008.^[120] In 2009-2010, the District received $316,000 to provide preschool to 42 children.^[121][122]

Healthy High 5 grant

In 2012, Mount Carmel Junior Senior High School was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Highmark Foundation. The funds were to be used for programming that focuses on the nutritional and physical activity needs of students. Parental outreach is included in the process. Thirteen schools in Pennsylvania were selected for funding. Mount Carmel was the only district in Northumberland County that received funding.

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received $1,469,207 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.^[187] This was in addition to all regular, annual state and federal funding. This funding is for the 2009-2001 school years.

Race to the Top grant

Mount Carmel Area School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district millions in additional federal dollars for committing to improve student academic achievement.^[188] To participate the administration, school board and teachers' union were required to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.^[189] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.^[190] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant.^[191]

Common Cents state initiative

The Mount Carmel Area School District 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.^[192] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

In 2012-13, the Mount Carmel Area School Board set the property taxes rate at 40.4700 mills for Northumberland County residents and 19.2100 for Columbia County.^[193] A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. 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.^[194] School districts located in more than one county are required to apportion the tax levy based on the market value in each county as determined by the State Tax Equalization Board pursuant to section 672.1 of the School Code. As a result, the tax rate increases are not the same for each county in a multi-county school district.^[195]

• 2011-12 40.4700 mills for Northumberland County and 19.2100 for Columbia County.^[196]
• 2010-11 - Northumberland County 40.4700 mills and Columbia County 19.0400 mills.^[197]
• 2009-10 - Northumberland County 40.2670 mills and Columbia County 21.4174 mills ^[198][199]
• 2008-09 - Northumberland County 38.2600 mills and Columbia County 31.6600 mills ^[200]
• 2007-08 - Northumberland County 30.2600 mills and Columbia County 18.6000 mills ^[201]

The average yearly property tax paid by Northumberland County residents amounts to about 2.23% of their yearly income. Northumberland County ranked 1219th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.^[202] 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.^[203] 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%).^[204]

Act 1 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 it 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: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increasing rising health care costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or declining local 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.^[205] With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.^[206]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Shamokin Area School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.^[207]

2006–07 - 5.7%, Base 3.9% 2007–08 - 5.0%, Base 3.4% 2008–09 - 6.5%, Base 4.4% 2009–10 - 6.1%, Base 4.1% 2010–11 - 4.3%, Base 2.9%

2011–12 - 2.1%, Base 1.4% [208][209] 2012-13 - 2.6%, Base - 1.7% 2013-14 - 2.6%, Base - 1.7% [210] 2014-15 - 3.2%, Base 2.1% [211] 2015-16 - 2.9%, Base 1.9%[212]

For the 2014-15 budget year, Mount Carmel Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.^[213]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Mount Carmel Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.^[214]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Mount Carmel Area 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.^[215]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Mount Carmel Area School Board applied for 2 exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: pension costs and special education costs.^[216] Each year the Mount Carmel Area School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.^[217]

According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.^[218]

Mount Carmel Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10, nor in 2010-11.^[219][220]

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.^[221]

Property tax relief

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Mount Carmel Area School District was $76 per approved permanent primary residence. This was among the lowest amounts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the district, 2926 property owners applied for the tax relief. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.

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.

Wellness policy

Mount Carmel Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2005.^[222] 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 consistent with 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." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.^[223]

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, physical activity, 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.^[224] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

The District offers both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[225] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[226]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[227] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.^[228] In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school school campuses during the school day.^[229] The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.^[230]

Mount Carmel Area School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[231][232] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Extracurriculars

The Mount Carmel Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program.^[233] Eligibility for participation is determined by Mount Carmel Area School Board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The Mount Carmel Area School District is a Division I member of the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.^[234] The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region. By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private school, a public cyber charter school, a public charter school and those who are 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.^[235]

Mount Carmel Area School District operates an indoor pool which it rents to the general public for pool parties. The District is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website.

Sports

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.^[236] According to Pennsylvania’s Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.^[237] The District conducts preseason concussion testing for all athletes.

The District funds:

Boys Baseball - AA Basketball- AA Cross Country - Class AA Football - AA Golf -AA Soccer - A Swimming and Diving - AA Track and Field - AA Wrestling - AA

Girls Basketball - AA Cross Country - A Golf - AA Soccer (Fall) - A Swimming and Diving - AA Track and Field

Junior High School Sports

Boys Basketball Cross Country Football Track and Field Wrestling

Girls Basketball Cross Country Softball Track and Field

• According to PIAA directory July 2012 ^[238] Updated according to PIAA directory July 2014.

References

External links

• Mount Carmel Area School District
• Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit CSIU16
• Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School
• SusQCyber Charter School

Northumberland County, Pennsylvania Schools Main School Districts Line Mountain Line Mountain Jr./Sr. High School Shamokin Area Shamokin Area High School Shikellamy Shikellamy High School Other Schools Charter schools SusQ Cyber Charter School Danville Area (partially located in Montour County) Danville High School Milton Area School District (partially located in Union County) Milton Area High School Mount Carmel Area School District (partially located in Columbia County) Mount Carmel Area High School Private schools Bethesda Alternative School Maranatha Mennonite Christian School Meadowbrook Christian Academy Northumberland Christian School Northwestern Academy St Louis De Monfort Academy Sunbury Christian Academy Watsontown Christian Academy Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School Southern Columbia Area School District (partially located in Columbia County) Southern Columbia Area High School Warrior Run School District (partially located in Union and Montour Counties) Warrior Run High School Career and Technology School (VoTech) Northumberland County Career and Technology Center

Columbia County, Pennsylvania Schools Main School Districts Benton Area Benton Middle-Senior High School Bloomsburg Area Bloomsburg Area High School Central Columbia Central Columbia High School Millville Area Millville Area Junior Senior High School Other Schools Berwick Area (partially located in Luzerne County) Berwick Area Senior High School Charter schools SusQ Cyber Charter School Mount Carmel Area (partially located in Northumberland County) Mount Carmel Area High School North Schuylkill (partially located in Schuylkill County) North Schuylkill Junior Senior High School Private schools Bloomsburg Christian School Columbia County Christian Academy Heritage Christian Academy (Pennsylvania) Keystone National High School Southern Columbia Area (partially located in Northumberland County) Southern Columbia Area High School Vocational school Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School