McGuffey School District

McGuffey School District
Address
90 McGuffey Drive
Claysville, Pennsylvania 15323
United States
Information
Type Public
Superintendent Dr. Erica Kolat
Grades K-12
Enrollment 1979 (2009-2010)
 • Other Enrollment projected to decline to 1674 by 2019[1]
Color(s) Navy and Gold
Athletics conference WPIAL
Mascot Highlander

McGuffey School District is a midsized, rural, public school system located in Washington County, Pennsylvania. It serves 10 communities, including the boroughs of Claysville and Green Hills, and the townships of West Finley, East Finley, Morris, Donegal, Buffalo, Blaine, and South Franklin. McGuffey School District encompasses approximately 203 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 13,695 people. In school year 2007-08, McGuffey School District provided basic educational services to 2,060 pupils. McGuffey School District employed 166 teachers, 80 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 15 administrators in 2008. McGuffey School District received more than $14.3 million in state funding fir the 2007-08 school year.

The district name honors educator William Holmes McGuffey who was born in West Finley Township.

School District

The School District is composed of four schools:

Academic achievement

In 2011, the school district ranked 330th of 498 Pennsylvania school district. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and three years of science.[2]

The McGuffey School District ranked 80th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009.[3] In 2008, the district was ranked 78th.

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students in McGuffey School District was in the 42nd percentile of Pennsylvania Public School Districts.[4]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate was 90%.[5] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. McGuffey High School's rate was 85% for 2010.[6]

High school

In 2011 the school achieved AYP status.[7] In 2011, McGuffey High School ranked 98th of 123 high school, in western Pennsylvania, for academic achievement based on five years of PSSA results on: mathematics, reading, writing and three years of science.[8]

A Pennsylvania historical marker located in Claysville honors the district's namesake. It was dedicated in 1998. Markers also exist in Ohio and Kentucky.
McGuffey High School in Claysville, PA

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 42% of the McGuffey High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[9] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.[10] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Graduation requirements

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.[11] At McGuffey High School, students may choose between completing: a Career Explorations Project, an Interdisciplinary Project, a Community Service Project or a Western Area Career and Technology Center Project.[12]

By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.[13]

Dual enrollment

Effective with the 2010-11 school year, McGuffey High School offers a dual enrollment program.[14] The school has an agreement with California University of Pennsylvania and Community College of Allegheny County. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree.[15] The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[16]

McGuffey Middle School

In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status.[17] The attendance rate was 94% in 2010 and 2011.[18]

Seventh grade

In 2011, the seventh grade ranked 57th among western Pennsylvania schools districts.[19]

Claysville Elementary

In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status.[20] The attendance rate was 94% in both 2010 and 2011.[21]

Bullying policy

In 2009, the administrative reported there was one incident of bullying and 14 fights, in the district.[22][23]

The McGuffey School Board has mandated the district's antibully policy and posted it online.[24]

Special education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 306 pupils or 14.5% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[25][26]

McGuffey School District received a $1,329,726 supplement for special education services in 2010.[27]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 34 or 1.54% of its students were gifted in 2009.[28] Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to a variety of AP courses.[29]

Budget

In 2010 the district reported employing over 90 teachers with a salary range of $33,000 to $103,742 for 180 student days (7 professional days).[30] In addition, the teachers receive a benefits package which includes: health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days (which accumulate), reimbursement for college courses and multiple other benefits. Teachers get a preparation period each school day. Teachers are paid $27.50 an hour for work done outside the school day.[31]

In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $51,238 for 180 days worked.[32] The school board entered into an agreement between the McGuffey Board of Directors and McGuffey Teachers Union for July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2013, that provides an early retirement incentive.

The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $857.77 per pupil. The district ranked 135th for administrative spending or highest 25% of school districts in the Commonwealth. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[33] In January 2007, the School Board awarded a five-year contract to Joseph Stefka to serve five years as Superintendent. The first year of the contract called for a salary of $112,306.14. The contract included an extensive benefits package, including mileage, 12 paid sick days, 5 personal days and 20 vacation days; health, vision, dental and life insurance and more. Superintendent Stefka retired in June 2010. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007–08 school year was $122,165.[34] In May 2010 the school board hired Beverly Arbore as superintendent of schools for McGuffey School District effective July 1, 2010.[35]

In 2008, the district administration reported spending $12,239 per pupil which ranked 248th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts.[36]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported a $440,498 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.[37] In September 2011, the school board adopted Resolution 2011/2012-01 authorizing non-electoral debt in an amount not to exceed $7,500,000 under the Local Government Unit Debt Act. The issuance of non-electoral debt is for the refinancing of the General Obligation Bonds Series of 2006.[38]

In 2011 the district received a grant of $13,500 from DPS Penn, which is an acquisition firm that is associated with Chesapeake Energy.

In September 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the administration and the school board by state officials.[39]

The district is funded by a combination of: an income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the income level.[40]

State basic education funding

In 2011–12, the district received $9,870,129 in state Basic Education Funding.[41] Additionally, the district received $171,799, in state Accountability Block Grant funding. In 2010, the administration reported that 812 students received a free or reduced-price lunch based on the federal poverty levels.

For the 2010–11 budget year, the McGuffey School District was allotted a 2.00% increase, in Basic Education Funding, for a total of $10,416,910.[42]

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. For 2010–11, the district applied for and received $466,305 in addition to all other state and federal funding. McGuffey School District uses the funding to reduce class size K-3rd grade, provide full-day kindergarten for the sixth year and to hire teacher coaches to show teachers how to better teacher the children and to provide teacher training programs to improve instruction.[43][44]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program (2006-2009) 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. In 2008–09, the district received $107,168.[45]

Federal Stimulus funding

The district received an extra $3,258,441 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[46]

Real estate taxes

McGuffey School Board set property tax rates in 2011-12 at 117.3300 mills.[47] A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

Property tax relief

In 2011, property tax relief for 3,733 approved homestead of McGuffey School District was set at $234.[51]

In 2010, the district's tax relief was $230.[52] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the McGuffey School District was $228 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,825 property owners applied for the tax relief.[53]

Extracurriculars

The McGuffey School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.[54][55]

Geographics

The district borders the state of West Virginia on the west, Avella School District on the north, Trinity Area School District on the east and Greene County, Pennsylvania on the south. It is also bordered by the Washington Area School District.

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education McGuffey School District Enrollment and Projections, January 2009
  2. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 11, 2011). "Statewide Ranking Information Pennsylvania Schools,". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011.
  3. ↑ The Rankings: Western Pennsylvania School Districts, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
  4. ↑ The Morning Call (2009). "2009 PSSA RESULTS McGuffey School District".
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "McGuffey School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2011 - District AYP Data Table".
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented". Archived from the original on September 14, 2010.
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "MCGUFFEY HS School AYP Overview".
  8. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times (September 29, 2011). "11th Grade Ranking Information". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011.
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania College Remediation Report
  10. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics
  11. ↑ "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  12. ↑ McGuffey High School Administration (2010). "McGuffey High School Student Handbook" (PDF).
  13. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  14. ↑ Keith A. Kucherawy, Principal (2010). "Dual Enrollment notice McGuffey High School" (PDF).
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "General Dual Enrollment Funding Information". Archived from the original on 2010-05-28.
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  17. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "McGuffey Middle School Academic Achievement report Card AYP Report".
  18. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "McGuffey Middle School Academic Achievement report Card AYP Data Table".
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department o fEducation (2009). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings".
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "CLAYSVILLE Elementary School AYP Overview".
  21. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "CLAYSVILLE Elementary School AYP Data Table".
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of Safe Schools (2009). "McGuffey School District School Safety Annual Report 2008 – 2009".
  23. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of Safe Schools (2009). "Pennsylvania Safe Schools Online Reports".
  24. ↑ McGuffey School Board (December 2, 2008). "Bullying Cyberbullying Policy 249" (PDF).
  25. ↑ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Services (2010). "McGuffey School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets". Archived from the original on 2011-08-24.
  26. ↑ Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee (2010). "PA House Majority Policy Committee May 12, 2010 Hearing Testimony and Handouts".
  27. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2010). "Special Education Funding from Pennsylvania State_2010-2011".
  28. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (Revised December 1, 2009 Child Count (Collected July 2010)). "Gifted Students as Percentage of Total Enrollment by School District/Charter School" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ↑ McGuffey School District Administration (2011). "Gifted education Plan".
  30. ↑ Asbury Park Press (2010). "PA Public School Salaries,".
  31. ↑ McGuffey School Board. "McGuffey School District Teachers Union Contract". Archived from the original on 2011-10-22.
  32. ↑ Fenton, Jacob, (March 2009). "Average classroom teacher salary in Washington County, 2006-07". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on 2011-10-08.
  33. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Per Pupil Spending in Pennsylvania Public Schools in 2008 Sort Spending".
  34. ↑ Pennsylvania School Board Association (October 2009). "Public School Employee Salaries 2007–08 – 11th Annual,". Archived from the original on October 5, 2008.
  35. ↑ McGuffey School Board Secretary (June 24, 2010). "McGUFFEY SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING minutes" (PDF).
  36. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Per Pupil Spending in Pennsylvania Public Schools in 2008 Sort Spending".
  37. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Fund Balances by Local Education Agency 1997 to 2008".
  38. ↑ McGuffey School Board Secretary (September 15, 2011). "McGUFFEY SCHOOL District School Board Meeting Minutes for September 15, 201" (PDF).
  39. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (September 2010). "McGuffey School District WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT".
  40. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (2009). "Income Tax Information". Archived from the original on 2009-12-13.
  41. ↑ PA Senate Appropriations Committee (June 28, 2011). "School District 2011–12 funding Report".
  42. ↑ PA Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010–2011 Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee Education Budget information.
  43. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Accountability Block Grant report 2010, Grantee list 2010".
  44. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Accountability Block Grant Mid Year report".
  45. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 12, 2008). "Classrooms For the Future grants audit" (PDF).
  46. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (April 2010). "Washington County ARRA FUNDING Report website". Archived from the original on 2010-04-09.
  47. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "2011-12 Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  48. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. (2010). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  49. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. (2009). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  50. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Pennsylvania School District Real Estate Tax Rates 2008–09".
  51. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "The Taxpayer relief Act".
  52. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 1, 2010). "Tax Relief per Homestead".
  53. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 1, 2009). "Estimated Tax Relief Per Homestead and Farmstead" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2011.
  54. ↑ McGuffey School Board (2010). "Non-Athletic Extracurricular Activity and Club Eligibility Policy" (PDF).
  55. ↑ McGuffey School Board (2010). "Interscholastic Athletics Policy 123".
  56. ↑ http://www.mcguffey.k12.pa.us/OfficeoftheSuperintendent.aspx
  57. ↑ http://www.mcguffey.k12.pa.us/OfficeoftheAssistantSuperintendent.aspx
  58. ↑ http://www.mcguffey.k12.pa.us/Administration1.aspx
  59. ↑ http://www.mcguffey.k12.pa.us/Administration1.aspx
  60. ↑ http://www.mcguffey.k12.pa.us/administration7133.aspx
  61. ↑ http://www.mcguffey.k12.pa.us/administration3363.aspx
  62. ↑ http://www.mcguffey.k12.pa.us/Principal.aspx

Coordinates: 40°08′34″N 80°21′52″W / 40.14282°N 80.36458°W / 40.14282; -80.36458

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