Penns Valley Area School District

Penns Valley Area School District
Address
4528 Penns Valley Road
Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, Centre County, 16875-9403
United States
Information
Type Public
School board 9 locally elected members
Superintendent Mr. Brian Griffith, M'Ed (salary $108,951 in 2010)
Faculty 109.58 teachers
Grades K-12
Pupils 1802 students[1]
 • Kindergarten 139
 • Grade 1 142
 • Grade 2 128
 • Grade 3 137
 • Grade 4 136
 • Grade 5 118
 • Grade 6 127
 • Grade 7 131
 • Grade 8 121
 • Grade 9 162
 • Grade 10 169
 • Grade 11 133
 • Grade 12 159
Mascot Rams
Budget

$23.7 million (2013-14)[2]

$23.14 million in 2012[3]
Per pupil spending 2008 $13,330
Per pupil spending 2010 $13,516.41
Website http://pennsvalley.org/

The Penns Valley Area School District is a small, rural, public school district serving the south-eastern portions of Centre County, Pennsylvania. It encompasses the boroughs of Centre Hall and Millheim, Pennsylvania, as well as the townships of Potter, Gregg, Penn, Miles, and Haines. It encompasses an area of 254.4 square miles (659 km2). The school district has a population of 11,380, according to the 2000 federal census. By 2010, the district's population grew to 12,830 people.[4] In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $18,328, while the median family income was $44,458.[5] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 [6] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[7] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.[8]

According to PennsValley Area School District administrative officials, during the 2005-06 school year, the District provided basic educational services to 1,573 pupils through the employment of 9 administrators, 125 teachers, and 81 full-time and part-time support personnel. In school year 2007-08, the Penns Valley Area School District provided basic educational services to 1,633 pupils through the employment of 120 teachers, 72 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Penns Valley Area School District received more than $8 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.

Special education was provided by the district and the Central Intermediate Unit #10. Occupational training and adult education in various vocational and technical fields were provided by the district and the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology.

Schools

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.[9] 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 "D" 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.[10]

Academic achievement

Penns Valley School District was ranked 67th out of the 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts, in 2013, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[11] The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated by the last three years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, math, 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. Writing exams were given to children in 5th, 8th and 11th grades.

Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Penns Valley School District ranked 137th. The editor describes the ranking as: "a 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."[15]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students in the Penns Valley Area School District was in the 75th percentile among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)[17]

District Adequate Yearly Progress history

In 2010 through 2012, Penns Valley Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[18] 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.

Graduation rate

In 2012, Penns Valley Area School District's graduation rate was 89.8%. In 2011, the graduation rate was 90%.[19] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Penns Valley School District's rate was 91% for 2010.[20]

Former calculation graduation rate

Junior-Senior High School

Penns Valley Junior-Senior High School is located at 4545 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 697 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 157 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 57 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.[24] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 18 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" and 6 teachers have emergency certifications under No Child Left Behind.[25]

AYP History

Penns Valley Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status in 2010 through 2012.[26] The School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I for low student achievement of special education students in 2009.

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math
11th Grade Science
8th Grade Reading
8th Grade Math

8th Grade Science

7th Grade Reading
7th Grade Math

Graduation requirements

The Penns Valley Area School Board has determined that 28 credits are required for graduation, including English 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Science 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Health 0.5 credits, Driver Education 0.5 credit, Arts/Humanities 2 credits, Computer Literacy I 0.5 credits and Electives 6.5 credits.[39] Graduation from the Penns Valley Area High School requires a student to achieve 54 student learning outcomes. The 54 Learning Outcomes were approved by the Penns Valley Area School Board in August, 1996.

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.[40]

Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in Literature and Algebra 1.[41][42]

College Remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 16% of Penns Valley 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.[43] 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.[44] 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.

SAT scores

In 2012, 57 Penns Valley School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 507. The Math average score was 514. The Writing average score was 495. 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, 64 students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 468. The Math average score was 499. The Writing average score was 469.[45] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[46] 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.[47]

Centre Hall-Potter Elementary School

Centre Hall-Potter Elementary School is located at 211 North Hoffer Street, Centre Hall. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 220 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 50 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 15 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[48] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[49]

2013 School Performance Profile

Centre Hall-Potter Elementary School achieved a score of 82.8 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 87.91% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 91.30% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 91.21% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 95.56% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding.[50]

AYP history

In 2010 through 2012, Centre Hall-Potter Elementary School achieved AYP status.[51] In 2012, 95% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd and 4th. In Mathematics, 92% of the students in 3rd & 4th grades were on grade level and 64% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 98% of the pupils were on grade level. In 2011, only 80% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd and 4th. In math, 91% of the students in 3rd & 4th grades were on grade level and 60% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 100% of the pupils showed on grade level understanding with 78% achieving advanced.[52]

Rebersburg Miles Township Elementary School

Rebersburg Miles Township Elementary School is located at 80 Town Lane Road, Rebersburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 92 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 27 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 6.75 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[53] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[54] The school offers preschool starting at age 4 and a full day kindergarten program. In 2012, the school reported an enrollment of 108 pupils preschool through 4th grade.

2013 School Performance Profile

Rebersburg Miles Township Elementary School achieved a score of 78.9 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 68.18% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd and 4th. In 3rd grade, 68.18% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 90.91% were on grade level in 3rd and 4th grades.[55]

In 2010 and 2011, Miles Township Elementary School achieved AYP status.[56] In 2011, only 81% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 95% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 57% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 100% of the pupils were on grade level with 63% achieving advanced.[57] The school also provides a taxpayer-funded preschool for children who are identified with disabilities. In 2012 the school conducted a special reading event. The book was "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" by Beverly Cleary. Families who participated received a free copy of the book funded through the PVASD Act 48 minigrant.

Penns Valley Area Elementary And Intermediate School

Penns Valley Area Elementary And Intermediate School is located at 4528 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 450 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 132 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 31 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[58] 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.[59] The school provides full day kindergarten.

2013 School Performance Profile

Penns Valley Area Elementary And Intermediate Elementary School achieved a score of 80.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 77% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, just 65.22% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 85.22% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 85.7% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 70.83% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[60]

AYP History

In 2010 through 2012, Penns Valley Area Elementary And Intermediate School achieved AYP status.[61] In 2012, only 81% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 87% of students were reading on grade level. In math, 90% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 60% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 91% of the pupils were on grade level with 64% achieving advanced. In 2011, only 78% of the students at Penns Valley Area Elementary And Intermediate School were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 84% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 56% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 98% of the pupils were on grade level with 75% achieving advanced.[62]

Former Schools

Spring Mills Gregg Township Elementary was located at 106 School St, Spring Mills. Opened circa 1925, the school has served the town of Spring Mills, Georges Valley and some areas of greater Penns Valley north of PA 45. The school was closed in 2006 and was reopened as a community center styled the Old Gregg School Community and Recreation Center.[63]

Bullying policy

In 2009, the administrative reported there were 50 incidents of bullying in the district.[64][65]

The Penns Valley Area School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[66] 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.[67] 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.[68]

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.[69]

Wellness policy

Penns Valley Area School Board established a district wellness policy in June 2006 - Policy 246.[70] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.[71] The policy requires that the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

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.[72]

In 2013, the average teacher salary in Penns Valley Area School District was $55,111.06 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $17,071.38 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $72,182.44.[73] The District employed 116 teachers with an average salary of $58,180 and a top salary of $116,764.[74]

In 2009, Penns Valley Area School District administration reports employing over 130 teachers with a salary range of $37,000 to $89,000.[75] The average teacher's salary is $55,020.[76] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.[77][78] In 2011, the average teacher salary in ASD was $54,276.94 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $14,916.33 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $69,193.27.[79] According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation, including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.[80]

In 2007, the District employed 106 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,786 for 189 days (182 days of instruction) worked.[81] 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.[82] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days - 3, sick days, bereavement days 2, income protection insurance, and other benefits.[83]

Per pupil spending Penns Valley Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $749.23 per pupil. This ranked 259th out of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[84] In December 2011, the school board voted unanimously to renew Superintendent Brian Griffith' employment contract through June 2017, with yearly raises of 2% to 4% and a potential $5000 annual bonus.[85]

Penns Valley Area School District reports spending $13,330 per pupil which ranked 148th among Pennsylvania school districts.[86]

Audits In July 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the District. The findings were reported to the school board and school administration.[87]

Reserves In 2008, Penns Valley Area School District reported $2,387,182 in its unreserved-designated fund balance. The undesignated fund balance was reported as zero.[88] In 2010, Penns Valley Area Administration reported an increase to $3,461,459 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance and $1,352,802.00 in its reserved-undesignated fund. By 2013, the Districts reserves were $7,067,427.[89] 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.[90] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.[91]

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 Penns Valley Area 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 - $8,223.89, High School - $9,719.99.[92]

The Penns Valley Area School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.8%, a property tax, per capita taxes, 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. 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.[93] 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.[94]

State basic education funding

For the 2013-14 school year, Penns Valley Area School District received a 13.4% increase or $4,888,961 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $577,876 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Penns Valley Area School District received $80,445 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Centre County, Penns Valley Area School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF. The 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.[95] The state funded the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[96]

For the 2012-13 school year, the Penns Valley Area School District received $4,311,085 in state Basic Education funding.[97] 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 (ABG) program. Penns Valley Area School District received $80,445 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[98] This amount was 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 the 2011-12 school year, Penns Valley Area School District received $4,311,085 in state Basic Education Funding.[99][100] Additionally, the District received $80,445 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.[101] Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011. In 2010, the district reported that 453 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 budget year, the Penns Valley Area School District was allotted a 5.17% increase in state Basic Education Funding for a total of $4,710,394. This was the highest increase among Centre County public school districts. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. For 2010-11, highest increase in Pennsylvania went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[102] The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.[103] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where a district received at least the same amount as the year before, even where 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 districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.89% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $4,300,326 to the Penns Valley Area School District. This was the highest increase in Centre County. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009.[104] 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.[105]

The state Basic Education funding to the Penns Valley Area School District in 2008-09 was $4,478,635. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 413 district students received free or reduced- price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[106] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.[107][108]

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 $218,348 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The Penns Valley Area School District uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the fifth year.[109][110]

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. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Penns Valley Area School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 it received $188,432. In 2008-09, the district received $45,413 for a total funding of $233,845.[111]

Science It’s Elementary grant

Penns Valley Area Elementary School and Penns Valley Area Intermediate 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 66,973 students across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[112] 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 was a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.[113] 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.[114] The district was required to develop a three-year implementation plan for the participating school. The school district administration was required to appoint a district liaison who was paid $3,000 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 for the program. The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget. The grant was discontinued in the state’s 2011 budget by Governor Edward G. Rendell.

Other grants

The Penns Valley Area School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants, Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, 2012 and 2013 Hybrid Learning Grants,[115] nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants. The District also does not participate in Pre-K Counts grants to fund its preschool program.

Federal Stimulus funding

The district received $1,097,354 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[116] The funding is for 2009-10- and 2010-2011. The district reported that 413 students qualified for the Federal free or reduced-price lunch program due to a low family income.

Race to the Top

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district nearly one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[117] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[118] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[119]

Common Cents state initiative

The Penns Valley Area School Board decided to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[120] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

Penns Valley Area School Board set property tax rates for the 2013-14 school year at 42.2348 mills. 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, school district and across a region. On the local level, Pennsylvania district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[121]

  • 2012-13 - 42.2348 mills
  • 2011-12 - 41.7130 mills[122]
  • 2010-11 - 40.4557 mills[123]
  • 2009-10 - 38.3300 mills.[124]
  • 2008-09 - 37.87 mills.[125]
  • 2007-08 - 37.87 mills [126]
  • 2006-07 - 37.87 mills [127]
  • 2005-06 - 37.87 mills [128]

The average yearly property tax paid by Centre County residents amounts to about 3.34% of their yearly income. Centre County ranked 438th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[129] 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.[130] 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%).[131]

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.[132]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Penns Valley Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.[133]

  • 2006-07 - 5.0%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007-08 - 4.3%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008-09 - 5.6%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009-10 - 5.2%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010-11 - 3.7%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011-12 - 1.8%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.2%, Base 1.7%[134]
  • 2013-14 - 2.1%, Base 1.7% [135]
  • 2014-15 - 2.6%, Base 2.1% [136]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Penns Valley Area School Board applied for an exception to exceed its Act 1 Index limit due to rapidly increasing teacher pension costs. 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 exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[137]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Penns Valley Area School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index for pension teacher costs. 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.[138]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Penns Valley Area School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to anticipated pension costs. Each year the Penns Valley 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.[139]

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.[140]

For the budget year 2010-2011, the Penns Valley Area School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. They cited future pension costs as the rational. The PDE gave them approval.[141] 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.[142]

Property tax relief

In 2010, property tax relief for 2,428 approved residents of Avella Area School District was set at $155 for 3614 approved homesteads.[143] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Penns Valley Area School District was $157 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,577 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Centre County the highest tax relief went to Bellefonte Area School District at $196 in 2009.[144] The greatest tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the Chester Upland School District of Delaware County set at $632 in 2009 and $641 in 2010.[145] The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Centre County, 72% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently people who have an income of substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).[146][147]

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently people who have an income of substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

Extracurriculars

The school offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, sports program.[148][149][150]

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[151][152][153]

Athletics

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  134. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2012-2013 School District Adjusted Index, May 2011.
  135. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2013-2014 School District Adjusted Index, September 2012
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  146. ↑ Tax Foundation (September 22, 2009). "New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners".
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  148. ↑ Penns Valley School Board (August 17, 2011). "Policy 122 Extracurricular Activities".
  149. ↑ Penns Valley School Board (October 19, 2005). "Policy 123 Interscholastic Athletics".
  150. ↑ Penns Valley School Board (October 19, 2005). "Policy 123.1 Student Health and Welfare - Interscholastic Sports".
  151. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities,".
  152. ↑ Penns Valley School Board. "137.1 Extra-curricular Participation by Home School Students and Policy 140.1".
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External links