Shikellamy School District

Shikellamy School District
Shikellamy School District region shown in orange
Address
200 Island Blvd Sunbury, Pennsylvania, Northumberland County, 17801-1028 United States
Information
Type	Public
Closed	Sunbury Middle School, C.W. Rice Middle School
School board	9 locally elected members
Superintendent	Dave Sinopoli, Acting Superintendent March 2015[1] Mr Patrick M Kelley, contract August 2012 - June 30, 2016 Salary $125,000 (2013)[2][3] Resigned March 2015 Robin Musto - 2010 resigned 2012 Al Lonoconus - 2006- 2009
School number	(570) 286-3721
Administrator	Mrs. Abbey Walshaw-Wertz, Director of Education Stephanie M. Michaels Special Education Supervisor salary $96,811 (2013) Mr David Sinopoli, Business Manager salary $88,708 (2013) Michael A. Hubicki, Administration salary $102,811 (2013) Mr. Douglas Benick, Director of Buildings and Grounds Mr. Matthew Mitchell, Director of Food Services Pamela J Barni, Coordinator salary $78,210 (2013)
Principal	Ernest Jackson SHS fired 2015
Principal	Mrs. Mary Murphy-Kahn, SMS salary $87,061 (2013)
Principal	Michael Egan, Priestley ES
Principal	Susan Giberson, Beck ES salary $90,561 (2013)
Principal	Brett Misavage, Chief Shik ES salary $94,061 (2013) Angela Farronato, Oaklyn ES $93,244 (August 2014)[4]
Asst. Principal	Brandy Wiest, SHS
Faculty	144 teachers (2010)[5] 170 teachers
Grades	K-12
Age	5 years to 21 years special education
Pupils	2,944 (2014);[6] 2,933 pupils (2012);[7] 2,850 (2010);[8] 3,104 pupils (2006);[9]
• Kindergarten	251 (2014),[10] 238 (2012),[11] 218 pupils (2010)
• Grade 1	264 (2012), 227
• Grade 2	241 (2012), 219
• Grade 3	234 (2012), 192
• Grade 4	202 (2012), 215
• Grade 5	221 (2012), 226
• Grade 6	212 (2012), 212
• Grade 7	232 (2012), 232
• Grade 8	224 (2012), 219
• Grade 9	242 (2012), 249
• Grade 10	221 (2012), 225
• Grade 11	206 (2012), 204
• Grade 12	196 (2012), 217 (2010)
• Other	Enrollment projected to decline to 3,199 in 2020[12]
Language	English
Mascot	Braves
Budget	$41.6 million (2014-2015)[13] $39,850,724 (2013-2014)[14][15] $38,631,882 (2012-2013)[16] $37.2 million (2011-2012)[17] $34.62 million (2007-2008)
Per pupil spending 2008	$11,130[18]
Per pupil Spending 2010	$12,598.16[19]
Website	http://www.shikbraves.org/shikellamy/site/default.asp

Shikellamy School District is a midsized, suburban/rural, public school district in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It serves Northumberland Borough, Point Township, Rockefeller Township, Snydertown Borough, the City of Sunbury, and Upper Augusta Township. The administrative offices are located at Administration Center, 200 Island Blvd, Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Shikellamy School District encompasses approximately 71 square miles (180 km²). According to 2000 federal census data, it served a resident population of 23,180.^[20] Per the US Census Bureau, by 2010, the District's population declined to 22,554 people.^[21] In 2009, the District residents’ per capita income was $16,811, while the median family income was $40,063.^[22] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 ^[23] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.^[24] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.^[25] The educational attainment levels for the Shikellamy School District population 25 and over were 83.6% high school graduates and 15.3% college graduates.^[26]

Per school district officials, in school year 2005-2006, the Shikellamy School District provided basic educational services to 3,256 pupils through the employment of 229 teachers, 178 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 12 administrators. In 2006, the 3,104 student population was: 90% white, 4% black, < 1% Asian, Native American < 0.1% and 5% Hispanic.^[27] By 2009-2010, enrollment had declined to 2,850.^[28] According to District officials, in school year 2009-2010 the SSD employed: 229 teachers, 207 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 13 administrators. Shikellamy School District received more than $17.2 million in state funding in school year 2009-10. For school year 2014-2015, the District will receive $17,110,709 in state funding.

Governance

The Shikellamy 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.^[29] 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.^[30]

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.^[31]

Schools

• Shikellamy High School and Middle School combined grades 7th-12th

In May 2011, the Shikellamy School Board voted to close both middle schools due to three factors: declining enrollment district-wide; the need for costly, major renovations of the two middle school buildings and significant budget challenges for the foreseeable future. Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, sixth grade will be provided at each elementary school while seventh and eighth grades will be provided at the recently renovated and underutilized high school building. The superintendent reported that closing of the middle schools would save district taxpayers about $800,000.^[32] C.W. Rice Middle School enrollment was 314 (2010). Sunbury Middle School enrollment was 355 students (2010). In the fall of 2013, the former Sunbury Middle School building and the 2.7 acres or property was sold at auction for $100,000 to Mark Walberg.^[33] The School Board voted to build a new middle school building in 2013.^[34][35]

Elementary Schools grades kindergarten through 6th

• Grace Beck Elementary School 273 pupils 2010^[36]
• Chief Shikellamy Elementary School 298 pupils 2010^[37]
• Oaklyn Elementary School 342 pupils 2010^[38]
• Priestley Elementary School 373 pupils 2010^[39]

Shikellamy High School students may choose to attend, the award winning SUN Area Technical Institute, in New Berlin, Union County for training in the building trades, culinary arts, mechanical trades, cosmetology, and allied health services. Costs for attending are paid by Shikellamy School District. The District provides transportation to and from the technical school each school day. The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit IU16 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.

Academic achievement

In 2015, Shikellamy School District ranked 324th out of 496 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. ^[40] 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.^[41] 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 - 363rd[42] 2013 - 334th[43] 2012 - 371st[44] 2011 - 334th[45]

2010 - 383rd[46] 2009 - 380th[47] 2008 - 425th 2007 - 434th out of 501 school districts.[48]

Overachievers ranking

The Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Shikellamy ranked 352nd in 2010. In 2009, the district was 397th. The paper 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."^[49]

Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program

In July 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released a report identifying two Shikellamy School District schools as among the lowest-achieving schools for reading and mathematics in 2011.^[50] Grace S. Beck School and Chief Shikellamy School were on the 15% lowest-achieving schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 2013, Chief Shikellamy School was once again listed. Parents 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. 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 Pennsylvania Department of Education publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.^[51] The two Shikellamy schools are the only ones in Northumberland County on the list. According to the state report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, seven 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 and Steelton-Highspire School District.^[52] Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.^[53]

In 2015, Chief Shikellamy School remained on the lowest achievement list.^[54]

District AYP status

In 2012, Shikellamy School District declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to missing all but 1 academic metric measured in: reading, math and graduation rate.^[55] In school years 2011 and 2010, Shikellamy School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.^[56] 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.^[57] 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. School districts can achieve AYP even though their individual schools do not. For example: Shikellamy High School is in Corrective Action II in 2011.^[58]

Shikellamy student proficiency in reading, math and science has trailed other students both in the region and in the state. The Shikellamy School District was in the bottom 17th percentile in the state, for academic achievement in 2009.^[59]

Graduation rate

In 2014, Shikellamy School District's graduation rate improved to 82%.^[60]

• 2013 - 78%.^[61]
• 2012 - declined to 77%.^[62]
• 2011 - 79%.^[63]
• 2010 - 79.25%, in 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.^[64]
• 2009 - 78% ^[65]
• 2008 - 84% ^[66]
• 2007 - 78% ^[67]
• 2006 - 83% ^[68]
• 2005 - 81% ^[69]

Dr. Alan Lonoconus, then Superintendent of the Shikellamy School District, in a December 2007 interview on WKOK's Leaders and Lawmakers radio show said, "Where I envision us going is a lot of new curriculum revisions. With the State standards and everything we have to do with the state and Federal No Child Left Behind regulations, we have to really ramp up what we are doing."^[70] In October 2009, Dr Lonoconus announced his resignation effective in November 2009.^[71]

The District's policy is that if a student does not achieve proficiency on the PSSAs, a retest will be administered during the senior year for deficient subject areas. Failure to achieve proficiency in the retest requires a passing grade on a final examination and a passing course grade for any and all deficient subject areas reported by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. The student must pass both the course and the final examination in order to graduate. If a student fails to show evidence of this proficiency, the student can achieve a Shikellamy diploma by passing a summer school course or by returning for an additional school year to achieve a passing grade.^[72]

The curriculum is currently under revision to align it with the 1999 Pennsylvania State Academic Standards.^[73] These standards are assessed in the third through eighth and eleventh grades under the guise of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. These tests last several days and cover Reading, Writing, Speaking, Mathematics and Science. Revision of the Shikellamy School District's mathematics curriculum, to bring it into compliance with Chapter 4 regulations of 2000, was to begin in fall 2007.^[74]

The poor academic performance of students in the District is evident beginning in 3rd grade with three of the four elementary schools far below the state average for reading.^[75] Oaklyn Elementary School achieved 81% of 3rd graders on grade level in reading in 2009. Mathematics scores, for 3rd graders, were similarly low with Grace S. Beck School having 55% on grade level in math, in 2009. It was the lowest-performing school in the IU16 region. On the whole, 81% of Pennsylvania's third graders were on grade level in mathematics in 2009. In the local region's school 87% were on grade level.^[76]

High school

Shikellamy High School is located at 600 Walnut Street, Sunbury. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 858 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 41% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 10% of pupils received special education services, while 1% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 41 teachers.^[77] 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 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 897 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 342 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2011, the School employed 40 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 22:1.^[78] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. ^[79]

2014 School Performance Profile

Shikellamy High School achieved 76.3 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 76,6% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 70.9% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, just 57% showed on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.^[80][81] 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.^[82] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.^[83][84]

2013 School Performance Profile

In 2013, Shikellamy High School achieved 67.6 out of 100 in the State's School Performance Profile. The score reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 76% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 65.5% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 46% showed on grade level science understanding.^[85]

In 2011, Shikellamy High School was part of a research study of the effectiveness of the state's Project 720 School Reform funding grants. From 2007 through 2009, the School received a total of $209,941 in state supplemental funding to improve instruction at the school.^[86]

AYP Status

In 2012, Shikellamy High School declined to Corrective Action II 2nd Year AYP status due to poor academic achievement in reading and math coupled with a declining graduation rate.^[87]

• 2011 - declined to Corrective Action II 1st Year AYP status due to 11th grade Reading (63.5% on grade level), nor in Mathematics (53% on grade level). In science, 32% of students were on grade level.^[88] These PSSA scores were below: the state level, AYP level and regional high school achievement. The high school remains in Corrective Action status. Under No Child Left Behind, students could transfer to an achieving school within the district, however the district operates just one high school.^[89]
• 2010 - Making Progress: in Corrective Action I AYP status due to chronically low student academic achievement.
• 2009 - declined to Corrective Action I.^[90] In 2009, Shikellamy High School ranked 464th out of 666 Pennsylvania high schools for the reading and mathematics achievement of its students and had its 80th bicentennial.^[91] In 2009, 45% of Shikellamy High School 11th graders were on-grade level in mathematics.^[92] With the 2009 graduation rate decline to 78%, Shikellamy High School was placed on Corrective Action I with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• 2008 - Making Progress - School Improvement Level II AYP status. in 2008, Shikellamy High School ranked 384th out of 606 public high schools in Pennsylvania. The 2008 11th grade math, reading and science scores remained low and were lower than other school districts in the Central Susquehanna Valley IU16 region.^[93]
• 2007 - declined to School Improvement Level II^[94]
• 2006 - declined to School Improvement Level I^[95]
• 2005 - declined to Warning AYP Level^[96]

In 2005, Shikellamy High School was ranked 384th out of 606 public high schools in Pennsylvania.^[97] In 2006, SHS was ranked 384th out 607 Pennsylvania high schools.^[98]

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, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[99] 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.^[100]

11th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 53% on grade level, (25% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[101]
• 2011 - 52% (21% below basic). State - 69.1%^[102]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 59% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[103]
• 2011 - 62% (18% below basic). State - 60.3% ^[104]

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 38% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[105]
• 2011 - 32% (15% below basic). State - 40%^[106]

ACE

Shikellamy 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.^[107] Successful students earn college credits that can be readily transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) system.^[108]

Middle school

In 2012 through 2014, Shikellamy Middle School was housed in the same building as the high school. It provided grades 7th and 8th. In 2014, enrollment was 442 pupils, with 47% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 17.8% of pupils received special education services, while 2.5% of pupils were identified as gifted.^[109]

2014 School Performance Profile

Shikellamy Middle School achieved 87.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 72% were on grade level. In Algebra 1/Math, 75.8% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Science, 66.5% of 8th graders showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 85% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.^[110]

AYP status

In 2012, Shikellamy Middle School was in Warning AYP status due to low student achievement in reading and mathematics.^[111]

PSSA Results

Seventh grades 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, as a state initiative.^[112] 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.^[113] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[114] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.^[115]

Eighth grade Reading 2012 - 79% on grade level, (5% below basic). State - 79%^[116]

Eighth grade Mathematics 2012 - 80%, (10% below basic). State - 76%

Eighth grade Science 2012 - 75%, (13% below basic). State - 59% ^[117]

Seventh grade

Reading - 58% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 76% Math - 70%, (8% below basic). State - 80%

Grace S. Beck School

Grace S. Beck School is located at 600 Arch Street, Sunbury. In 2014, Grace S Beck School's enrollment was 359 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 75% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 18% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.^[118] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full day kindergarten. ^[119] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 343 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 74% of its pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school had a student-teacher ratio of 18:1.^[120] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[121] The School provides full day kindergarten since 2007.^[122]

2014 School Performance Profile

Grace S. Beck School achieved a score of 69.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 54% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 48% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 68.7% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 68% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 57% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[123]

2013 School Performance Profile

Grace S. Beck School achieved 72 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 54% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 68% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, just 73% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 66% of pupils were on grade level.^[124]

AYP History

In 2012, Grace S Beck School achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind Act.^[125]

• 2011 - achieved AYP status due to improving scores over 2010 results.^[126]
• 2010 - declined to Warning status due to the lagging student achievement.^[127]
• 2009 - achieved AYP status.^[128]

The attendance rate was 94% in 2011 and 96% in 2010.^[129]

PSSA Results

6th Grade Reading 2012 - 58% (22% below basic). State - 68% [130]

6th Grade Math: 2012 - 76%, (11% below basic). State - 77%

5th Grade Reading: 2012 - 45%, (33% below basic). State - 65%. 2011 - 46.7%, (35% below basic). State - 67.3%.[131] 2010 - 39%, (39% below basic) State - 64% [132] 2009 - 77%, State - 64%.[133] 2008 - 68%, State - 61%. Ranked 10th out of 34 5th grades in the CSIU16 region.[134] 2007 - 54%, State - 60%. 2006 - 38%, State - 60%.

5th Grade Math: 2012 - 60%, (19% below basic). State - 73% 2011 - 51%, (20% below basic). State - 76.3% [135] 2010 - 65%, (24% below basic). State - 74%. Ranks 25th in 5th grade in CSIU16 region.[132] 2009 - 73%, State - 73%. Ranked 20th in 5th grades in CSIU16 region.[136] 2008 - 68%, State - 73% [134] 2007 - 55.9%, State - 71% [137] 2006 - 32%, State - 66% [138]

4th Grade Reading: 2012 - 63%, (19% below basic). State - 72% 2011 - 47.7%, (24% below basic). State - 73.3% 2010 - 57%, (28% below basic). State - 72%. Ranks 31 out of 32 CSIU16 region 4th grades for reading.[132] 2009 - 49%, State - 72% Ranks 34 out of 35 CSIU16 region 4th grades for reading.[139] 2008 - 61%, State - 70% [140] 2007 - 54%, State - 70%

4th Grade Math: 2012 - 77%, (10% below basic). State - 82% 2011 - 71%, (11% below basic). State - 85.3% 2010 - 64%, (14 below basic). State - 84%. Ranks last in 4th grades in CSIU16 region [132] 2009 - 73%, State - 81% 2008 - 70%, State - 79% 2007 - 67%, State - 78% [137]

4th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 81%, (2% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 65%, (11% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 69%, State - 81.4%
• 2009 - 61%, State - 83% Ranks last in 4th grades in CSIU16 Region.^[139]
• 2008 - 79%, State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading: 2012 - 66%, (24% below basic). State - 74% 2011 - 58%, (27% below basic). State - 77.2% 2010 - 53%, (26% below basic). State - 75% 2009 - 61%, State - 77%. Ranks last in CSIU16 region 3rd grades in reading. 2008 - 57%, State - 77% 2007 - 53%, State - 72% 2006 - 42%, State - 69%

3rd Grade Math: 2012 - 78%, (12% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 66%, (14% below basic). State - 83.5% 2010 - 75%, (8% below basic). State - 84.5% 2009 - 58%, State - 81% 2008 - 73%, State - 80% 2007 - 66%, State - 78.5% [141] 2006 - 58%, State - 82% [142]

Low income 3rd graders achievement 2010: ^[143]

• Reading - 50% on grade level, Advanced - 16.7%, Proficient - 33%. State - 61%
• Math - 73.4% on grade level, Advanced - 16.7%, Proficient - 56.7%. State - 74%

Chief Shikellamy School

Chief Shikellamy School is located at 338 Memorial Drive, Sunbury. In 2014, Chief Shikellamy School's enrollment was 375 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 82% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 23.7% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.^[144] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind.^[145] The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school provides full day kindergarten since 2007.^[122]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 372 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 81% of its pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school had a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.^[146] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[147]

2014 School Performance Profile

Chief Shikellamy School achieved a score of 75.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 53% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 63.8% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 65.5% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 82% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 71% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[148]

2013 School Performance Profile

Chief Shikellamy School achieved 69 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 53% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 68% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, just 77% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 54% of pupils were on grade level.^[149]

AYP History

In 2012, Chief Shikellamy declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement.^[150]

• 2006 through 2010 - achieved AYP status.^[151]
• 2005 - Making Progress in School Improvement I
• 2004 - declined to School Improvement I AYP level due to lagging reading achievement^[152]
• 2003 - Warning AYP status due to lagging achievement

In 2011, Chief Shikellamy School's the attendance rate was 94%, while in 2010 the rate was 93%.^[153]

6th Grade Reading: 2012 - 48% on grade level (28% below basic). State - 68% of 6th graders on grade level.[154]

6th Grade Math: 2012 - 60%, (18% below basic). State - 77%

5th Grade Reading: 2012 - 37% on grade level (35% below basic). State - 65% of 5th graders on grade level. 2011 - 56% (34% below basic). State - 67.3% [155] 2010 - 38.6%, (38% below basic). State - 64%. Ranked last in 5th grade reading in CSIU16 region schools. 2009 - 58.2%, State - 64% [156] 2008 - 42.6%, State - 61%. Ranked last in 5th grades in CSIU16 region.[157] 2007 - 36%, State - 60% [158] 2006 - 39%, State - 60% [159] 2005 - 38%, State - 64%

5th Grade Math: 2012 - 50% on grade level (18% below basic). State - 73% 2011 - 64%, (13% below basic). State - 74%. Ranks 25th out of 29 5th grades in math, in CSIU16 region. 2010 - 43%, (22% below basic). State - 74%. Ranks last in 5th grade math in CSIU16 region 2009 - 55.8%, State - 73% 2008 - 55.6%, State - 73% 2007 - 53%, State - 71% 2006 - 37%, State - 66%

4th Grade Reading: 2012 - 58% (20% below basic), State – 72%. 2011 - 52% (19% below basic), State – 73.3%. Ranks 31st out of 32 CSIU16 region 4th grades. 2010 - 63.3%, (19% below basic). State - 72%. Ranks 30th out of 32 CSIU16 region 4th grades 2009 - 63.8%, State - 72% 2008 - 61%, State - 70% 2007 - 35%, State - 70%

4th Grade Math: 2012 - 76% (8% below basic). State – 82% 2011 - 78% (11% below basic). State – 85.3%. Ranks 31st out of 32 CSIU16 region 4th grades. 2010 - 78.5%, (11% below basic). State - 84%. 2009 - 77.6%, State - 81% 2008 - 82%, State - 79% 2007 - 75%, State - 78%

4th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 73%, (6% below basic). State – 82%
• 2011 - 78%, (2% below basic). State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 76.7%, State - 81.4%
• 2009 - 81%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 82.5%, State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading: 2012 - 72%, (18% below basic). State – 74% 2011 - 67%, (14% below basic). State – 77.2% 2010 - 61.5%, (23% below basic). State - 75% 2009 - 71.5%, State - 77% 2008 - 74%, State - 77% 2007 - 70%, State - 72% 2006 - 57%, State - 69%

3rd Grade Math: 2012 - 70%, (10% below basic). State – 80% 2011 - 72%, (4% below basic). State – 83.5% 2010 - 71%, (10% below basic). State - 84.5% 2009 - 65%, State - 81% 2008 - 84%, State - 80% 2007 - 66%, State - 78.5% 2006 - 78%, State - 82%

Low income 3rd graders achievement 2010:

• Reading - 63.3% on grade level, Advanced - 20%, Proficient - 43.3%, State - 61%
• Math - 76.7% on grade level, Advanced - 30%, Proficient - 46.7%, State - 74%

Oaklyn School

Oaklyn School is located at 115 Oak Street, Sunbury. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 436 pupils in grades kindergarten through sixth, with 34.8% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 18% of the pupils receive special education services, while 2.98% are identified as gifted.^[160] 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.^[161] The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school provides full day kindergarten since 2007.^[122] In June 2014, then Principal Holly Judge resigned after being charged with drunk driving.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, enrollment was 426 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 138 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 21 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 20:1.^[162] The school was a federally designated Title I school. In 2010, Oaklyn Elementary School's enrollment was reported as 372 pupils in kindergarten through 5th grade.^[163]

2014 School Performance Profile

Oaklyn School achieved a score of 82.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 77% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 79% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 79.8% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 84% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 60% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[164]

2013 School Performance Profile

Oaklyn Elementary School achieved a score of 81.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 77% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 86% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 79% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 87% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 65% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.^[165]

AYP status

In 2003 through 2012, Oaklyn Elementary School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) each school year.^[166]

PSSA History

In the Spring of each school year, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Sixth grade is assessed in reading and mathematics.

6th Grade Reading: 2012 - 76% (11% below basic). State - 68%[167]

6th Grade Math: 2012 - 84% (7% below basic). State - 77%

5th Grade Reading: 2012 - 66% on grade level (13% below basic). State - 65% 2011 - 54% (18% below basic). State - 67.3%[168]

5th Grade Math: 2012 - 74% (11% below basic). State - 73% 2011 - 73% (11% below basic). State - 74%

4th Grade Reading 2012 - 81% (11% below basic). State - 72% 2011 - 76% (7% below basic). State - 73%

2012 - 83% (4% below basic). State - 82% 2011 - 82% (9% below basic). State - 85%

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 93%, (2% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 82%, (2% below basic). State - 82.9%

3rd Grade Reading 2012 - 85%, (5% below basic). State - 74%[169] 2011 - 72%, (14% below basic). State - 77%

3rd Grade Math 2012 - 91%, (2% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 82%, (5% below basic). State - 83%

Priestley Elementary School

Priestley Elementary School is located at 423 Cannery Road, Northumberland. In 2013, the School reported an enrollment 461 pupils in kindergarten through sixth grade, with 46.8% of the pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 10.6% of the pupils receive special education services, while 2.17% are identified as gifted.^[170] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full day kindergarten since 2007. The school was a Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, enrollment was 383 pupils in kindergarten through 5th grade, with 38% of pupils eligible for a free or reduced price lunch.^[171] The School employed 19 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 19:1.

2014 School Performance Profile

Priestley School achieved a score of 86.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 71% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, only 67% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 83% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 85% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 65% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[172]

2013 School Performance Profile

Priestley Elementary School achieved a score of 75.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 70% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 74% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 78.6% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 71% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 80% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.^[173]

AYP history

In 2003 through 2012 school years, Priestley Elementary School achieved AYP status each school year.^[174]

PSSA History

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Sixth graders are tested in reading and math.

6th Grade Reading: 2012 - 71% (11% below basic). State - 68%[175]

6th Grade Math: 2012 - 80% (6% below basic). State - 77%

5th Grade Reading: 2012 - 81% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 65% 2011 - 55% (21% below basic). State - 67.3%[176]

5th Grade Math: 2012 - 83% (5% below basic). State - 73% 2011 - 65% (6% below basic). State - 74%

4th Grade Reading 2012 - 84% (8% below basic). State - 72% 2011 - 76% (3% below basic). State - 73%

4th Grade Math 2012 - 88% (3% below basic). State - 82% 2011 - 87% (5% below basic). State - 85%

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 91%, (2% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 89%, (0% below basic). State - 82.9%

3rd Grade Reading 2012 - 84%, (8% below basic). State - 74%[177] 2011 - 85%, (10% below basic). State - 77%

3rd Grade Math 2012 - 90%, (6% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 84%, (5% below basic). State - 83%

Special education

In December 2011, the Shikellamy School District administration reported that 469 pupils or 15.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 41% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.^[178] In December 2009, Shikellamy School District administration reported that 423 pupils or 14.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 40.7% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. Special education services in the Commonwealth are provided to students from ages three years to 21 years old. In the 2010-11 school year, the total student enrollment was more than 1.78 million students with approximately 275,000 students eligible for special education services. Among these students 18,959 were identified with mental retardation and 21,245 students with autism.^[179] The largest group of students are identified as Specific Learning Disabilities 126,026 students (46.9 percent) and Speech or Language Impairments with 43,542 students (16.2 percent).

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.^[180] Shikellamy School District has offered full day kindergarten since 2003. Shikellamy School District has seen an increase in the percentage of special education students it serves and has repeatedly sought an exception to raise taxes due to escalating special education costs. Full day kindergarten has yielding no savings.

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress.^[181] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department.^[182][183] The IDEA 2004 requires each school entity to publish a notice to parents, in newspapers or other media, including the student handbook and website regarding the availability of screening and intervention services and how to access them.

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.^[184] The Special Education funding structure is through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and state appropriations. IDEA funds are appropriated to the state on an annual basis and distributed through intermediate units (IUs) to school districts, while state funds are distributed directly to the districts. Total funds that are received by school districts are calculated through a formula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversees four appropriations used to fund students with special needs: Special Education; Approved Private Schools; Pennsylvania Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Early Intervention. The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district’s students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student’s needs accrue the same level of costs.^[185] Over identification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.^[186] The state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.^[187] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.^[188]

The Shikellamy School District received a $1,769,952 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[189] For the 2011-12, 2012–13 and 2013-14 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.^[190][191] Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 31 or 1.09% of its students were gifted in 2009. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted.^[192] 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.^[193][194]

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.^[195]

In May and June 2011, the school board approved a $36.2 million budget for 2011-12 that closed the two middle schools effective July 2011. The budget also froze administration pay and that reduced staffing by 24 positions.^[196] Beginning in 2011-12, the sixth grades will remain at the elementary schools, while seventh and eighth grades will be provided at the high school.^[197] The high school has been overstaffed, according to Superintendent Robin Musto, with 24 teachers not working a full teaching schedule and having 2 or more planning periods each day. Additionally, class size at the high school has been as low as 9 pupils for 15% of the classes, while many classes have 10-15 students.^[198] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, enrollment in the Shikellamy School District has declined 12.5% over the past five years, to a low of 2800 pupils. In 2006, the enrollment was reported by the administration as 3200 pupils.

The Shikellamy School Board set the budget at $34.62 million for 2007-2008. The board levied a variety of taxes to support its programs. Taxes include 62.5 mills real estate tax in 2007.^[199] Per capita taxes are $5 per resident. An occupational tax, which charges a set amount based on job title, earns approximately $1.7 million. Many see this tax as particularly unfair, as people classified in the same job title often earn vastly different amounts, but pay the same amount of tax. An earned income tax of one-half of 1 percent of income yields a revenue of approximately $1.8 million. Additionally, the real estate transfer tax of one-half percent (Northumberland Borough, Point Township, Rockefeller Township) and one percent (Snydertown borough) is levied on real estate transfers.^[200]

In 2013-2014, The average salary of Shikellamy School District educators was $61,935, while the costs of the benefits package had risen to $30,076 per teacher for a total compensation of $92,012 a year.^[201] According to a state report, Shikellamy SD has provided raises to its teachers, which exceeded the rate of inflation since 2001 by $12 million.^[202]

In 2012-2013, the average teacher salary in Shikellamy School District was reported as $60,635 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $23,066.55 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $83,701.59.^[203] The District's top salary of $125,000.^[204]

In 2010-11, the average teacher salary was $58,920 and the top salary was $115,000. The District employed 252 teachers.^[205] In 2010, the teacher's union and Board signed a new 5 year contract. Among the terms the teachers will work 186 days, one more than their previous contract required.^[206] 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.^[207]

In 2007, the Shikellamy School District employed 204 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $48,795 for 184 days worked.^[208][209] The teacher’s work day is 7.5 hours, including a 30 minute duty-free lunch and a daily preparation period. Teacher who write courses or attend IEP meetings outside of the school day are paid at $20.50 per hour. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance (teachers contribute $1,650 per year towards the premium), Vision insurance, dental insurance, professional development courses reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.^[210] 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.^[211]

Per pupil spending The Shikellamy School District administrative costs per pupil were $587.43 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[212] In 2010 the school board hired Robin Musto as Superintendent.^[213] Ms Musto retired unexpectedly after a brief leave due to illness.^[214]

In 2008, the Shikellamy School District reported spending $11,130 per pupil. This ranked 387th in the commonwealth.^[215] In 2010, the District’s per pupil spending had increased to $12,865.21.^[216] In 2011, Pennsylvania’s per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States.^[217] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.^[218]

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.^[219] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.^[218] Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.^[220] Pennsylvania’s total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.^[221]

Reserves In 2008, the District reported a $3,322,311 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.^[222] In 2010, Shikellamy School District Administration reported an increase to $3,589,270 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The District also reported zero in its unreserved-designated fund in 2010. Pennsylvania public school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.^[223] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.^[224] By 2014, Shikellamy School Board had $8,546,867 in reserve accounts.^[225]

Debt In 2009, Shikellamy School District reported having over $27 million in outstanding debt in General Obligation bonds.^[226]

Tax shift referendum Shikellamy School District voters rejected a tax referendum in May 2007 which would have increased local earned income tax by another 0.5 percent to reduce property taxes for homeowners and farmers by $176.^[227]

Audit In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the board and administration.^[228]

Tuition Students who live in the Shikellamy 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 Shikellamy 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 - $8,489.68, High School - $9,786.03.^[229]

Assessment appeal In June 2014, Viking Energy won an appeal of its closed power plant's property assessment. The assessment fell from $1.2 million to $600,000. Consequently, the property taxes on the plant also fell significantly from $28,593 in 2012 to $13,504 for 2013.^[230]

The Shikellamy School District is funded by a combination of: a local Occupation Tax, an earned income tax 0.5%, 2 per capita taxes $10, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. 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.^[231] 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.^[232]

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Shikellamy School District receives 46.2% of its annual District revenue from the state.^[233]

For the 2014-15 school year, Shikellamy School District will receive $11,804,913 in State Basic Education funding. The District will also receive $208,219 in Accountability Block Grant funding and $208,520 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.^[234] 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.^[235]

For the 2013-14 school year, Shikellamy School District received a 1.9% increase or $11,806,795 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $216,931 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Shikellamy School District received $208,219 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Allegheny County, South Fayette Township School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 5.5%. 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.^[236] 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.^[237]

For the 2012-13 school year, Shikellamy School District received $11,589,864 .^[238] 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. Shikellamy School District received $208,219 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.^[239] 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 budget year, Shikellamy School District received $11,589,864 in state Basic Education Funding.^[240] Additionally, the District received $208,219 in Accountability Block Grant funding.^[241] 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.^[242] Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in June 2011.

For the 2010-11 budget cycle, the state provided the Shikellamy School District with a 3.17% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $12,601,663. In Northumberland County, Milton Area School District received the highest basic education funding increase at 6.46%. In the Commonwealth, the largest increase went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred and fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in funding.^[243] Fifteen (15) Pennsylvania public school districts received a BEF increase of greater than 10%. 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 receives was determined by then Governor Edward Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.^[244] This was the second year of Governor Rendell’s policy to fund some public school districts at a far greater rate than others.^[245] In 2010, Shikellamy School District reported that 1,264 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.38% increase in Basic Education Funding, to the Shikellamy School District, for a total of $12,213,894. The Pennsylvania Department of Education gave 15 public school districts an increase of Basic Education Funding of over 10% in the 2009-10 budget.^[246] Ninety (90) Pennsylvania public school districts received the base 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received the highest percentage increase in Pennsylvania for 2009 at 22.31%.^[247] The amount of increase each public 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.

The state Basic Education Funding to the Shikellamy School District in 2008-09 was $11,589,863.77. The Department of Education reported that 1,194 students in the Shikellamy School District received a free or reduced-price lunch in 2007 due to low family income.^[248]

High school reform grant

In 2007, Shikellamy School District was awarded two state grants to improve the education of their high school students. The administration announced the receipt of a three-year Project 720 grant of $270,000.^[249] Some of these dollars will be used to revise the graduation project to include a career component.

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, Shikellamy School District applied for and received $565,158, in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten and to increase instructional time for struggling pupils.^[250]

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.^[251]

Shikellamy School District will receive $208,520 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.

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 2010-2011, the Shikellamy School District received $113,404.^[252]

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 state grant requires the district hire a part-time technology coach, whose role is to assist the teachers in using the equipment and software effectively to improve their instruction. The salary is covered by the grant.^[253] The program was funded from 2006-2009. Shikellamy School District was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the district received $316,667. The district received $57,023 in 2008-09 for a total of $373,690.^[254][255]

21st Century Community Learning Center Grant

Shikellamy School District was designated as a before and after school program provider. They receive state funding through grant of $496,000. CCLCs provide academic, artistic and cultural enhancement activities to students and their families when school is not in session.^[256] In 2010, the program served 160 students.^[257]

In July 2012, Shikellamy was awarded a second grant funding of $400,000.^[258]

Other grants

The Shikellamy School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants;^[259] PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-2010 budget by Governor Rendell);^[260] the 2012 and 2013 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant;^[261] 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants, 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants.^[262]

Federal Stimulus funding

Shikellamny School District received over $2.3 million in ARRA (Federal Stimulus) funding. This is in addition to all regular state and federal funding.^[263] Federal Stimulus money was to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.^[264] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.^[265] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one time expenditures like: acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top Grant

The Shikellamy School Board, Administration and teachers' union chose to not participate in the federal government grant program called Race to the Top. The grant would have meant hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars that would have been focused on improving student academic achievement.^[266] Participation required the written consent of the school board, the school administration and the teachers' union. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.^[267] 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.^[268]

Common Cents state initiative

The Shikellamy 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.^[269] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

Shikellamy School District property tax rate in 2014-2015 was set at 83.2500 mills. The vote was 6-3.^[270] In 2013, one mill of real estate taxes was set aside for future construction while 2 mills went to increase funding in the school year budget. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. 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.^[271]

2013-14 - 81.0000 mills 2012-13 - 78.0000 mills.[272] 2011-12 - 78.0000 mills.[273] 2010-11 - 72.5000 mills.[274] 2009-10 - 69.0000 mills.[275]

2008-09 - 67.0000 mills.[276] 2007-08 - 62.5000 mills.[277] 2006-07 - 59.0000 mills.[278] 2005-06 - 55.7500 mills.[279]

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.^[280] According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all public 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.^[281] 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%).^[282]

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 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, including: 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 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.^[283]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Shikellamy School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.^[284]

2006-2007 - 5.4%, Base 3.9% 2007-2008 - 4.7%, Base 3.4% 2008-2009 - 6.1%, Base 4.4% 2009-2010 - 5.7%, Base 4.1% 2010-2011 - 4.0%, Base 2.9%

2011-2012 - 2.0%, Base 1.4% [285][286] 2012-2013 - 2.3%, Base - 1.7% [287] 2013-2014 - 2.4%, Base 1.7% [288] 2014-2015 - 3.0%, Base 2.1% [289]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Shikellamy School Board applied for an exception to exceed their Act 1 Index limit due to rapidly escalating 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.^[290]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Shikellamy School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to rising teacher pension 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.^[291]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Shikellamy School Board sought 2 exceptions: special education costs and pension costs.^[292]

For the District's 2010-11 budget year, the Shikellamy School Board sought 2 exceptions: special education costs and pension costs.^[293] The Shikellamy School Board can no longer seek an exception for health care benefits because there is a new teachers' union contract effective 2010.^[294] Each year, the school district has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.^[295]

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.^[296] The Board sought exceptions for pension costs and special educations costs for the 2010-11.^[293] Shikellamy School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget, in 2009-10.^[297]

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.^[298]

Property tax relief

In 2010, the Shikellamy School District property tax relief was set at $174 for 5,135 approved homesteads.^[299] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Shikellamy School District was $201 per approved permanent primary homestead. In the district, 4,451 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. In Northumberland County the highest amount of relief in 2009 went to Shikellamy School District. The highest property tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.^[300]

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

Shikellamy School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.^[301] 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, physical activity hat 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.^[302] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for its approval.

The Shikellamy School District offers a free school breakfast and 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.^[303] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[304]

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.^[305] 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 the lunch.^[306]

Shikellamy 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.^[307] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2009, the Shikellamy School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Grace S. Beck School received $3,818 which was used to implement nutrition education and a character development program.^[308] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5 year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.^[309]

The District also participated in Highmark Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.^[310]

Bullying Policy

In 2009, Shikellamy School District reported zero incidents of bullying in the previous school year.^[311]

The school board prohibits bullying by district students and employees. A policy approved in December 2008 defines bullying and cyberbullying - Policy 249. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.^[312] 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.^[313] District administration are required to annually provide the following information with the district's Safe School Report: the board’s bullying policy, a report of bullying incidents in the school district, and information on the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs. 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.^[314][315]

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.^[316]

Closed schools

C. W. Rice Middle School

In May 2011, the school board voted to close the school due to district wide overstaffing and a large budget shortfall coupled with the building needing costly repairs. Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, sixth graders will remain at their elementary schools, while 7th and 8th grade will be provided at the high school.^[317]

In 2011, the school's attendance rate was 94%.^[318] In 2009-10, the attendance rate was rose to 95%. In 2009, it was 93%.^[319][320]

8th Grade Reading:

• 2011 - 90% on grade level (3% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
• 2010 - 89%, State - 81%, Ranked 4th out of 18 eighth grades in the CSIU16 region.^[321]
• 2009 - 86%, State - 80% ^[322]
• 2008 - 86%, State - 78% ^[323]
• 2007 - 82%, (10% below basic), State - 75% ^[324]
• 2006 - 70%, (14% below basic), State - 70% ^[325]

8th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 85% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 76.9%^[326]
• 2010 - 83%, State - 75%, Ranked 8th out of 18 eighth grades in the CSIU16 region.^[327]
• 2009 - 72%, State - 71%. Ranked 12th out of 18 eighth grades in the CSIU16 region.^[322]
• 2008 - 76%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 79%, State - 68% ^[324]
• 2006 - 55%, State - 62%

8th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 90% on grade level (4% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 84.9%, State - 57%. Ranked 1st among Central Pennsylvania CSIU16 region middle schools in Science. Ranked 18th in all of Pennsylvania School District 8th grades.^[327]
• 2009 - 78%, State - 55%
• 2008 - 73%, State - 52%.

7th Grade Reading: 2011 - 74% on grade level (6% below basic). State – 76% 2010 - 78.9%, State - 73% on grade level. Ranks 6th in Central PA CSIU16 middle school 7th grades.[328] 2009 - 77%, State - 71% [322] 2008 - 75%, State - 70% 2007 - 66%, State - 66%

7th Grade Math: 2011 - 80% on grade level (8% below basic). State - 78.6% 2010 - 86%, State - 77%, Ranks 6th in Central PA CSIU16 middle school 7th grades. 2009 - 77%, State - 75%.[329] 2008 - 75%, State - 70%.[330] 2007 - 69%, State - 67%

6th Grade Reading: 2011 - 64% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 69.9% 2010 - 59%, State - 68% [327] 2009 - 58%, State - 67% 2008 - 62%, State - 67% 2007 - 61%, State - 63%

6th Grade Math: 2011 - 74% on grade level (7% below basic). State - 78.8% 2010 - 78%, State - 78% 2009 - 78%, State - 72% 2008 - 73%, State - 70% 2007 - 67%, State - 67%

Sunbury Middle School

In May 2011, the school board voted to close the school due to overstaffing in the district coupled with the building needing costly repairs. Beginning with the 2011-12 school year, sixth graders will remain at their elementary schools, while 7th and 8th grade will be provided at the high school.^[331]

In 2011, the attendance rate was 93%.^[332] In 2009-10, the attendance rate was rose to 94%. In 2009, it was 93%.^[333]

8th Grade Reading:

• 2011 - 81% on grade level (7% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
• 2010 - 83%, State - 81%. Ranked 14th out of 18 eighth grades in the CSIU16 region.
• 2009 - 73%, State - 80%.^[334]
• 2008 - 69%, State - 78%
• 2007 - 72%, State - 75% ^[335]
• 2006 - 61%, State - 70% ^[336]

8th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 86% on grade level (4% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
• 2010 - 75%, State - 75%. Ranked 15th out of 18 eighth grades in the CSIU16 region.
• 2009 - 65%, State - 71%. Ranked 17th out of 18 eighth grades in the CSIU16 region.
• 2008 - 58%, State - 70% ^[337]
• 2007 - 72%, State - 68% ^[335]
• 2006 - 54%, State - 62% ^[336]

8th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 69% on grade level (14% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 49%, State - 57%. Ranked 18th in Central Pennsylvania IU16 region middle schools.
• 2009 - 44%, State - 55%
• 2008 - 50%, State - 52% ^[338]

7th Grade Reading: 2011 - 73% on grade level (3% below basic). State – 76% 2010 - 67%, State - 73%. Ranks 15th in Central PA CSIU16 middle school 7th grades. 2009 - 77%, State - 71% [139] 2008 - 67%, State - 70% [134] 2007 - 52%, State - 66%

7th Grade Math: 2011 - 79% on grade level (7% below basic). State - 78.6% 2010 - 78.7%, State - 77%. Ranks 14th in Central PA CSIU16 middle school 7th grades.[132] 2009 - 77%, State - 75% [139] 2008 - 66%, State - 70% 2007 - 54%, State - 67% [134]

6th Grade Reading: 2011 - 56% on grade level (17% below basic). State - 69.9% 2010 - 58%, State - 68% [132] 2009 - 64%, State - 67% 2008 - 66%, State - 67% 2007 - 45%, State - 63%

6th Grade Math: 2011 - 60% on grade level (16% below basic). State - 78.8% 2010 - 72%, State - 78% [132] 2009 - 66%, State - 72% 2008 - 67%, State - 70% 2007 - 53%, State - 69%

Extracurriculars

Shikellamy School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The sports programs are through the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference.^[339] 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 residing 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.^[340]

Sports

The District funds:

Boys Baseball - AAA Basketball- AAA Bowling - AAAA Cross Country - AA Football - AAA Golf - AAA Soccer - AA Tennis - AA Track and Field - AAA Wrestling - AAA

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

Junior High School Sports

Boys Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Soccer Wrestling

Girls Basketball Cross Country Field Hockey Softball

According to PIAA directory July 2013 ^[341]

References

External links

• Shikellamy School District

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