Riverside School District (Pennsylvania)

Riverside School District
Location
300 Davis Street Taylor, Pennsylvania, Lackawanna County 18517 United States of America
Information
Type	Public School
Superintendent	Paul M. Brennan, (Contract July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2017)[1] former superintendent David E. Woods
Administrator	Joseph Surridge, Business Manager open, Director of Special Education Barbara Chisdock, District Technology Coordinator Donna Gilroy, Director of Food Services Raymond C. Rinaldi, II, Solicitor, Attorney
Principal	Joseph Moceyunas
Principal	Ms Nicole VanLuvender, RESE
Principal	Mr Scott Pentasuglio, RESW
Staff	93 non teaching staff members
Faculty	120 teachers (2011)[2]
Grades	K–12
Pupils	1,567 pupils (2014)[3] 1,528 pupils (2012)[4] 1,507 pupils enrolled (2010)[5] 1,534 Pupils (2006)[6]
• Kindergarten	121 (2012), 122 (2010)
• Grade 1	127 (2012), 114
• Grade 2	129 (2012), 113
• Grade 3	142 (2012), 123
• Grade 4	108 (2012), 114
• Grade 5	111 (2012), 105
• Grade 6	119 (2012), 118
• Grade 7	113 (2012), 134
• Grade 8	107 (2012), 134
• Grade 9	123 (2012), 112
• Grade 10	116 (2012), 118
• Grade 11	114 (2012), 110
• Grade 12	98 (2012), 90 (2010)
• Other	Enrollment projected to be 1800 pupils in 2019
Campus type	Suburban
Color(s)	Red and Blue
Mascot	Vikings
Rival	Old Forge Blue Devils
Information	570-562-2121 option 4
Website	http://www.riversidesd.com/

The Riverside School District is a small, suburban public school district in Lackawanna County which formed in 1961. The school serves the boroughs of Moosic and Taylor, both suburbs of Scranton. Riverside School District encompasses approximately 12 square miles (31 km²) square miles. According to 2000 local census data, the district serves a resident population of 12,050. By 2010, the District's population declined to 11,978 people.^[7] The educational attainment levels for the School District population (25 years old and over) were 87% high school graduates and 21.7% college graduates.^[8]

According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 35.8% of the District’s pupils lived at 185% or below the Federal Poverty level as shown by their eligibility for the federal free or reduced price school meal programs in 2012.^[9] In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $18,780, while the median family income was $45,411.^[10] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 ^[11] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.^[12] In Lackawanna County, the median household income was $43,673.^[13] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.^[14]

Per school district officials, in school year 2007–08 the Riverside School District provided basic educational services to 1,520 pupils through the employment of 126 teachers, 71 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. According to District officials, the District's enrollment was 1,491 pupils in 2009-10. The District employed: 129 teachers, 74 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators during the 2009-10 school year. Riverside School District received more than $7 million in state funding in the 2009-10 school year.

The Riverside School District operates two elementary schools: Riverside Elementary West School (kindergarten to fourth grades), and Riverside Elementary East School (kindergarten to sixth grade) and Riverside Junior-Senior High School provides grades 7–12. High school students may choose to attend Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County for training in the construction and mechanical trades. The Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit IU19 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.

Mission statement

The mission of the Riverside School District is to prepare all students to be productive and responsible citizens of a changing global community by fostering: Lifelong self-directed learning, Acquisition of essential knowledge and skills and Independent and collaborative decision making, through critical thinking and tolerance for human diversity, in a safe and orderly environment.

Governance

The Riverside School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve without compensation for a term of four years), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.^[15] 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.^[16] The board has policies in place regarding disclosure of specific records, public records, administrative regulations, exempted records, and fees for administrative record requests.

Board members

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.^[17]

Academic achievement

In 2014, Riverside School District ranked 424th out of 493 Pennsylvania public school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.^[18] 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.^[19] 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 aregiven to children in 5th and 8th grades.

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students in the Riverside School District was in the 24th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0–99; 100 is state best)^[25]

In 2008, the combined SAT score of the students in Riverside School District was 974. Among Lackawanna County public school districts, the average SAT score was 954 in 2008. This was also a 12-point increase over the 2007 average. Among Lackawanna County school districts, the highest SAT score average was achieved at Abington Heights School District.^[26]

The Riverside School District’s writing proficiency scores varied with each grade that was analyzed. 5th graders writing achievement was higher than the county averages every year; however, in 2009 the 5th grade scores declined by 9.3% to 71% on grade level. Riverside 8th graders writing scores were below Lackawanna County’s average from 2006 through 2009. In 2009, 64% of the district's 8th graders were on grade level in writing. Riverside's 11th grade writing scores decreased from a high of 96% in 2006 to 87% in 2009.^[27]

Since 2008, Pennsylvania has tested 4th, 8th and 11th graders for science proficiency. At Riverside School District, 30.5% of students tested were proficient or advanced in science. Fifty percent of Riverside 4th graders scored Advanced, while just 8% of 11th grades were advanced in science. Countywide 27.5% of eleventh graders were advanced in science.^[28]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Riverside School District declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.^[29] In 2011, Riverside School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public 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.^[30][31] Riverside School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2010, while in 2003 Riverside School District was in Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement.^[32]

Graduation rate

In 2014, the District’s graduation rate was 84%.^[33]

• 2013 - 92.74% ^[34]
• 2012 - 91%.^[35]
• 2011 - 86%.^[36]
• 2010 - 83%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.^[37]

Traditional graduation rate

• 2010 – 89%^[38]
• 2009 – 90%^[39]
• 2008 – 92%^[40]
• 2007 – 92%^[41]

Riverside Junior-Senior High School

The school is located at: 310 Davis Street, Taylor, PA, 18517. The Principal is Joseph Moceyunas and the Vice Principal is Dan Gilroy. In 2014, enrollment was reported as 697 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 41,6% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 19.9% of pupils received special education services, while 2% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 58 teachers.^[42] Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school has a mandatory uniform policy.^[43]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 693 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 264 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2011, the School employed 58 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.^[44] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the No Child Left Behind Act.^[45]

2014 School Performance Profile

Riverside Junior Senior High School achieved a score of 64.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - only 63% of tested students were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 58% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 50% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. In 8th grade - 65% of pupils showed on grade level writing skills.^[46][47] Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.^[48]

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

2013 School Performance Profile

Riverside Junior Senior High School achieved out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 65.51% of tested pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 61.39% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 42.35% showed on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. In 8th grade - 73.53% of pupils showed on grade level writing skills.^[52] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.^[53]

AYP history

In 2012, Riverside School District declined further to Corrective Action I due to a low graduation rate coupled with low student academic achievement in both reading and mathematics.^[54]

• 2011 - declined further to School Improvement II AYP status. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the District.
• 2010 - Making Progress - School Improvement Level I AYP status^[55]
• 2009 - declined to School Improvement Level I AYP status due to low student academic achievement in reading and mathematics. The school administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.^[56] Riverside High School was eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.^[57]
• 2008 - declined to Warning AYP status^[58]
• 2007 - achieved AYP status
• 2006 - declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging academic achievement
• 2004-2005 - achieved AYP status
• 2003 - declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging academic achievement

PSSA Results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, 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.^[59] 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.^[60]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 60% on grade level, (20% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[61]
• 2011 - 66% (17% below basic). State - 69.1%^[62]
• 2010 – 60% (18% below basic). State - 66%^[63]
• 2009 – 73% (11% below basic), State - 65%
• 2008 – 65% (12% below basic), State - 65%^[64]
• 2007 – 68% (15% below basic), State - 65%^[65]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 49% on grade level (36% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[66]
• 2011 - 50% (23% below basic). State - 60.3%^[67]
• 2010 - 64% (20% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 47% (29% below basic), State - 56%^[68]
• 2008 - 60% (23% below basic), State - 56%
• 2007 - 51% (24% below basic), State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 30% on grade level (23% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[69]
• 2011 - 32% (19% below basic). State - 40%^[70]
• 2010 - 41% (18% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 32%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 30% (17% below basic), State - 39%^[71]

Science in Motion Riverside Junior Senior High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.^[72] Wilkes University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 35% of Riverside Senior 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.^[73][74] 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.^[75][76] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

The Riverside Junior Senior High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.^[77] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[78] In 2014, the District does not offer the Penn CollegeNOW program provided by the Pennsylvania College of Technology.^[79]

For the 2009–10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $87,483 for the program.^[80]

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The School Board has determined that a pupil must take a course of study, that includes: a required class every year in math, English, social studies, science, Physical Education and electives.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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.^[81] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.^[82]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.^[83] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.^[84]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.^[85][86] For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements.^[87] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.^[88] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

Challenge Program

The Challenge Program offers $250.00 cash incentives to Riverside Junior Senior High School students who excel in the categories of: Academic Improvement, Attendance, Community Service and Academic Excellence. The program partners with businesses to motivate students both in and out of the classroom by encouraging good habits in students that will last throughout their education and into their future careers. For the 2010-2011 school year, the top 10% of students in each of the categories will be eligible to win $250.00.^[89][90]

SAT scores

In 2014, Riverside School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 468. The Math average score was 492. The Writing average score was 462.^[91] Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.^[92]

In 2013, 72 Riverside School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 476. The Math average score was 496. The Writing average score was 466. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.^[93]

In 2012, 87 Riverside School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 459. The Math average score was 494. The Writing average score was 456. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In 2011, Riverside School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 476. The Math average score was 508. The Writing average score was 463.^[94] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[95] In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.^[96]

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania’s SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.^[97]

AP Courses

In 2014, Riverside Junior Senior High School offered 5 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. High School students can take the AP exam in the spring. The fee for each AP Exam is $91 (2014).^[98] The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Riverside Junior Senior High School 20% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.^[99]

Junior high school

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.^[100] 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.^[101] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.^[102] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.^[103]

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 40% on grade level (36% below basic). State - 59%^[109]
• 2011 - 43% (38% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - % (% below basic). State – 57% ^[110]

Riverside Elementary West School

The school is located at: 300 Davis Street, Taylor, PA, 18517. In 2014, the Riverside Elementary West's enrollment was 359 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with % of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, % of the pupils receive special education services, while 57.66% are identified as gifted.^[111] 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 2003.^[112] The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school has a mandatory uniform policy.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, enrollment was 327 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 179 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 25 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.^[113] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[114] The school provides full day kindergarten to all its pupils.^[115] The Principal was Paul Brennan. In 2010, the school's attendance rate was reported as 95% and in 2009 the rate was 94%.^[116]

2014 School Performance Profile

Riverside Elementary West School achieved a score of 83.5 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 73% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 4th. In 3rd grade, 77% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 79.5% were on grade level (3rd-4th grades). In 4th grade science, 88% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding.^[117]

2013 School Performance Profile

Riverside Elementary West School achieved a score of 70.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 75% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 4th. In 3rd grade, 78.95% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 80% were on grade level (3rd-4th grades). In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding.^[118] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

AYP history

In 2011 and 2012, Riverside Elementary West School achieved AYP status.^[119] The school also achieved Adequate Yearly Progress each school year, under No Child Left Behind in 2003 through 2010.

PSSA History

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders and sixth 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. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.^[120] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.^{[121][122][123]} The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.^[124]

4th Grade Science;

• 2012 - 97%, 66% advanced (0% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 88%, 59% advanced (3% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 90% (3% below basic), State - 81%
• 2009 - 86% (6% below basic), State - 83%
• 2008 - 90%, State - 81%

Riverside Elementary East School

The school is located at: School and Kreig Street, Moosic, PA, 18507. In 2014, the Riverside Elementary East School's enrollment was 511 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 43% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 19% of the pupils receive special education services, while 3.9% are identified as gifted.^[131] 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.^[132] The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school has a mandatory uniform policy.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, enrollment was 529 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 215 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 35.5 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.^[133] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[134] The school provides full day kindergarten to all its pupils since 2003.^[135] In 2010, the school's attendance rate was reported as 95% and in 2009 the rate was 95%.^[136] The Principal was Scott Pentasuglio. Proponents of full day kindergarten claim it will reduce special education numbers and it will raise primary student academic achievement especially in reading and math.^[137] Those outcomes have not been realized in the School District. Reading achievement in particular has not substantially improved.^[138]

2014 School Performance Profile

Riverside Elementary School East achieved a score of 77.2 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 64.6% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 76.6% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 72.5% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 87% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 64% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[139]

2013 School Performance Profile

Riverside Elementary School East achieved a score of 77.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 60.24% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 66.67% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 68.81% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 72.6% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.^[140] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

AYP history

In 2012, Riverside Elementary School East declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging academic achievement.^[141] The Riverside Elementary East School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress under No Child Left Behind in 2011. The school provides Kindergarten through 6th grade. From 2003 through 2011 the school achieved AYP status each year.

PSSA results

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 87%, (0% below basic). State - 74% ^[147]
• 2011 - 73%, (10% below basic). State - 77%
• 2010 - 90%, State - 81%
• 2009 - 86%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 82%, State - 81%

Special education

In December 2012, the District administration reported that 290 pupils or 18.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 54.1% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.^[149]

In December 2011, the District administration reported that 292 pupils or 18.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 51.7% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.^[150] In December 2009, the district administration reported that 280 pupils or 18.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.^[151]

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.^[152] Riverside School District has seen an increase in the percentage of special education students it serves, yielding no savings.

The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review the school special education department. 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 Special Education Department.^[153]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving 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.^[154] 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.^[155] 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.^[156] 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.^[157] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.^[158]

Riverside School District received a $760,672 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[159] 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.^[160][161] For the 2014-2015 school year, Riverside School District will receive an increase to $780,348 from the Commonwealth for special education funding.^[162]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 23 or 1.53% of its students were gifted in 2009.^[163] 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.^[164] Through the strategic planning process, the Superintendent must ensure that Riverside School District provides a continuum of program and service options to meet the needs of all mentally gifted students for enrichment, acceleration, or both.

Bullying policy and school safety

The Riverside School District administration reported there were zero incidents of bullying in the District in 2012. Additionally, there were three cases of racial intimidation and no sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in three incidents at the schools.^{[165] [166]} Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online. Nationally, nearly 20% of pupils report being bullied at school.^[167]

The Riverside School Administration reported there were no incidents of bullying occurring in the schools in 2009.^[168][169]

The school board prohibits bullying by district students and employees. 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.^[170] 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.^[171] 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.^[172]

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.^[173]

In January 2015, Riverside School District teacher's union declared their intent to strike over contract negotiations.^[174] Of the nearly 140 teacher strikes that occurred nationally between 2000 and 2007, 60 percent (60%) took place in Pennsylvania, according to a report released in August 2012, by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.^[175] Pennsylvania is one of 13 states in which teacher strikes are legal. Pennsylvania has the highest rate of teacher strikes in the United States.^[176] In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there were three teacher union strikes in 2010; one teacher union strike in 2011, one teacher union strike in 2012 and three teacher union strikes in 2013.^[177] Crestwood School District in Luzerne County went on strike in 2009. Neshaminy School District teachers union went on strike twice in 2012.^[178][179] Wyoming Area School District, Old Forge School District and Shaler Area School District went on strike in the fall of 2013.^[180] Wyoming Area School District and Danville Area School District teachers went on strike in the spring of 2014.^[181] In the fall of 2014, three Pennsylvania public school district teachers unions went on strike including: Millville Area SD, East Allegheny School District and Old Forge School District.^[182]

In 2013, the average teacher salary in Riverside School District was $58,137 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $29,648 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $87,786.^[183] Riverside Area School District teacher and administrator retirement benefits are equal to at least 2.00% x Final Average Salary x Total Credited Service. (Some teachers benefits utilize a 2.50% benefit factor.)^[184] After 40 years of service, a teacher can retire with 100% of the average salary of their final 3 years of employment. 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.^[185]

In 2009, the Riverside School District reported employing over 120 teachers with a starting salary of $36,095 for 184 days for pupil instruction. The average teacher salary was $47,711 while the maximum salary was $100,000.^[186] 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.^[187] Additionally, Riverside School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 sick days, 4 paid death days, a severance package of $65 per unused sick day, a prescription plan and other benefits. Teachers are paid an additional hourly rate, if they are required to work outside of the regular school day. The school day is 6 hours and 35 minutes in elementary schools and 7 hours and 10 minutes in the junior/senior high school. Teachers who serve as department heads receive extra compensation. A retirement bonus of 90% of one year's salary is paid to encourage teachers with more than 25 years service to retire.^[188] According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.^[189]

In 2007, the district employed 105 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,958 for 184 school days worked.^[190]

Tax increase voter referendum In April 2016, the Riverside School Board placed a ballot question on the primary ballot asking voters for permission to raise property taxes by 3.93% or 4.47 mills on top of raising taxes to the maximum of the Act 1 index plus exceptions. The total property tax increase would have been 8.93 mills.^[191] Without voter referendum approval taxes can still rise an additional 4.46 mills for 2016-17. The question failed by 90% voting no and 10% voting yes.

Administration costs Riverside School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $810.54 per pupil. This ranked 183rd out of 500 school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[192]

Per pupil spending In 2008, Riverside School District reported spending $13,772 per pupil. This ranked 119th in the commonwealth.^[193] In 2013, the per pupil spending was reported as $14,344.41.^[194] In 2011, Pennsylvania’s per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States.^[195] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.^[196]

Reserves

In 2009, the Riverside School District reported $398,492 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.^[197] 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.^[198] In 2005, the total reserve funds held by Pennsylvania public school districts was $1.9 billion.^[199] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.^{[200][201][202]} Riverside School Board reported reserves of $165,248.

Audit In March 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Multiple findings were reported to the administration and school board.^[203]

Tuition Students who live in the Riverside 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 Riverside 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 - $8,338.18, High School - $11,765.64.^[204]

The Riverside School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned 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.^[205] In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.^[206]

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, School District receives 35.8% of its annual revenue from the state.^[207]

For the 2014-15 school year, Riverside School District will receive $4,576,310 in State Basic Education funding. The District will also receive $171,858 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.^[208] 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.^[209]

In the 2013-2014 school year, the Riverside School District received a 2.3% increase or $4,576,310 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $103,355 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, School District received $79,309 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Lackawanna County, Mid Valley School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 2.4%. The Riverside School District has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth’s budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding.^[210] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent.^[211] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.^[212]

For the 2012-13 school year, the Riveride School District received $4,481,401 in state BEF.^[213] 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. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.^[214] 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.

For the 2010–11 school year, Riverside School District received a 3.68% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $4,739,257 payment.^[215] Dunmore School District received an 11.88% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Lackawanna County. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010–11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010–11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.^[216]

In the 2009–2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $4,571,029. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008–09 was $4,481,401.13. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low-income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more.^[217] Scranton School District received a 9.46% increase which was the highest increase in Lackawanna County for the 2009–10 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.^[218]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 526 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.^[219]

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004–2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010–11 the Riverside School District applied for and received $215,264 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the 7th year.^[220][221]

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 number 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.^[222]

Riverside School District will receive $171,858 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars, in addition to State Basic Education Funding; Special Education funding; 50% reimbursement for teacher pension payments to PSERS; reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006–2009. Riverside School District did not apply in 2006–07. In 2007–08 the district received $203,422. For the 2008–09, school year the district received $45,413 for a total of $248,835. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.^[223] Among the public school districts in Lackawanna County, the highest award was given to Scranton School District which received $888,647. Two school district in Lackawanna County chose to not participate in the grants. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

Other grants

Riverside School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants;^[224][225] PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell);^[226] Education Assistance Grants; 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant;^[227] 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants; 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants;^[228] Project 720 High School Reform grants (discontinued effective with 2011-12 budget); nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

Riverside School District received an extra $1,345,160 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like Title 1, special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.^[229] The funding was limited to the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years.^[230] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, the Governor and the Pennsylvania School Board Association, 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

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.^[231][232] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.^[233] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.^[234] 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.^[235]

Common Cents state initiative

The Riverside School Board chose to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.^[236] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement any of the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The Riverside School Board set property tax rates in 2014–2015 at 106.8600 mills.^[237] 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.^[238] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and all government property (local, state and federal). Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.^[239] When a Pennsylvania public school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.^[240] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.^[241]

The average yearly property tax paid by Lackawanna County residents amounts to about 3.4% of their yearly income. Lackawanna County ranked 477th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.^[251] According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.^[252] 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%).^[253] Pennsylvania's 2011 tax burden of 10.35% ranked 10th highest out of 50 states. The tax burden was above the national average of 9.8%. Pennsylvania's taxpayers paid $4,374 per capita in state and local taxes, including school taxes.^[254]

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 authorized to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.^[255]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Riverside School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.^[256]

For the 2014-15 budget year, Riverside School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher’s pension fund (PSERS).^[261] For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.^[262]

Riverside School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009–10 or in 2010–11.^[263][264] 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.^[265]

Property tax relief

In 2013, Riverside School District's 3,101 approved homestead properties received $149 each.^[266] The decline in amount was related to more residents applying for tax relief and a decline in table games tax revenues. The amount received by the District must be divided equally among all approved residences.^[267]

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Riverside School District was $155 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,974 property owners applied for the tax relief.^[268] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's 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 Lackawanna County, the highest property tax relief in 2009 was awarded to the approved property owners in Scranton School District at $334. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.^[269] This was the second year Chester Upland School District was the top recipient.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Riverside School District residents aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have income substantially more than $35,000, may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.^[270]

Wellness policy

By federal law, Riverside School Board was mandated to establish a district-wide student wellness policy in 2006. The policy must deal 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." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.^[271]

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so that the individual needs of each public school district could be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.^[272] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval. The Pennsylvania School Board Association developed a template policy which was widely utilized.

Riverside School District offers both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[273] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[274]

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.^[275] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.^[276] The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandates that Districts raise their full pay lunch prices every year until the price of non-subsidized lunches equals the amount the federal government reimburses schools for free meals. That subsidy in 2013-2014 was $2.93.

In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.^[277] The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.^[278][279]

Riverside School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in the buildings 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.^[280][281] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.^[282]

Extracurriculars

The Riverside School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by the school board and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.^[283]

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.^{[284][285][286]}

Athletics

Riverside School District offers numerous extracurricular activities made available to its students. Riverside SD is in PIAA District 2. The athletic teams take part in PIAA athletics and club sports. The district's colors are red and navy blue. The mascot is the Viking. Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.^[287]

According to Pennsylvania’s Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.^[288][289]

The District funds:

Varsity

Junior High School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2014^[290]

Clubs and activities

Riverside School District offers over twenty different clubs to the student population.

References