Grove City Area School District
Encyclopedia
The Grove City Area School District is a small, rural
, public school district serving south eastern region of Mercer County, Pennsylvania
. It encompasses the communities of Grove City
, Pine Township
, Wolf Creek Township, Springfield Township
, and Liberty Township
. Grove City Area School District encompasses approximately 92 square miles (238.3 km²). According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 16,494. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income
was $17,309, while median family income was $45,646 a year. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08, the Grove City Area School District' provided basic educational services to 2,232 pupils through the employment of 197 teachers, 104 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. Grove City Area School District received more than $12.2 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
It operates three elementary schools, a middle school for grades 7-8, and a high school for grades 9-12.
The district employes the Response to Instruction and Intervention model to provide special education services and for behavioral issues in the elementary schools.
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
and the No Child Left Behind Act
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "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.
results in reading, writing, mathematics
and three years of science
.
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Grove City Area School District was in the 77th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Grove City Area School District's graduation rate was 89% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
11th Grade Reading
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education
study released in January 2009, 23% of Grove City 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. 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. 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.
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 both high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities at their high school. The college
credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,878 for the program.
3 credits, Mathematics 3 credits, Science 3 credits, Physical Education 1.6 credits, Health 1 credit, Freshman Studies 1 credit, Humanities Arts 2.6 credits and 5 elective credits.
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.
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 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 count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
8th Grade Reading
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading
7th Grade Math:
services.
In order to comply with state and federal laws, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. 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 by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the head of Special Education.
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.
Grove City Area School District received a $1,273,732 supplement for special education services in 2010.
For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010. 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.
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. The Grove City School Board has failed to do this. 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. 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.
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
, health insurance
, professional development reimbursement, several paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, paid bereavement leave days and many other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2007, the Grove City Area School District employed 177 teachers working 180 days pupil instruction. The average teacher salary in the district was $51,793. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $49,596. 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.
In 2008, per pupil spending at Grove City Area School District was ranked 237th in the state at $12,367 for each child.
In 2008, the Grove City Area School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $1.1 million and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $2,024,830.
In October 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the district. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration. The auditors noted that the District does not require all employees to sign the information technology (IT) Security Policy.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local tax on income, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants have provided an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of wealth.
In 2010, the district reported that 600 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 budget year the Grove City Area School District received a 6.01% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $8,692,930. In Mercer County, the highest increase went to Greenville Area School District
which received an 7.54% increase in state funding. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District
of Chester County
which was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.46% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $8,199,863. Three county school districts received increases of over 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Sharon City School District
received an 7.59% increase. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District
in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Grove City Area School District in 2008-09 was $7,702,629.30. 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.
In 2008, the district reported that 549 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
, History
, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Grove City Area School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07 nor in 2007-08. For the 2008-09, school year the district received $138,210. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.
- Federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding includes $917,000 for Title 1-A programs, $1,088,200 for construction and $337,800 for IDEA programs. This funding was for 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.
federal grant which would have brought the district up to million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. The district administration and teachers union rejected applying for the grant. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.
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. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Grove City Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Grove City Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Grove City Area School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.
Grove city Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11. 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.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently 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.
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%).
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.
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
, public school district serving south eastern region of Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city....
. It encompasses the communities of Grove City
Grove City, Pennsylvania
Grove City is a borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, approximately north of Pittsburgh. It is the home of Grove City College, a private conservative Christian liberal arts college; General Electric; Instron; USIS; George G. Howe Co.; and a number of small businesses. It is also the home to...
, Pine Township
Pine Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Pine Township is a township in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,493 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 26.0 square miles , of which, 25.7 square miles of it is land and...
, Wolf Creek Township, Springfield Township
Springfield Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Springfield Township is a township in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,972 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 27.4 square miles , of which, 27.2 square miles of it is land and...
, and Liberty Township
Liberty Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Liberty Township is a township in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,276 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 14.7 square miles , of which, 14.6 square miles of it is land and...
. Grove City Area School District encompasses approximately 92 square miles (238.3 km²). According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 16,494. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $17,309, while median family income was $45,646 a year. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08, the Grove City Area School District' provided basic educational services to 2,232 pupils through the employment of 197 teachers, 104 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. Grove City Area School District received more than $12.2 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
It operates three elementary schools, a middle school for grades 7-8, and a high school for grades 9-12.
- Washington Kindergarten Center provides 1/2 day kindergarten
- Highland Primary Center - first and second grades Report Card 2010 http://paayp.emetric.net/School/Overview/c43/104432903/3143
- Hillview Intermediate Center - 3-6th grades Report Card 2010 http://paayp.emetric.net/Content/reportcards/RC10S104432903000006844.PDF
The district employes the Response to Instruction and Intervention model to provide special education services and for behavioral issues in the elementary schools.
Governance
The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act , is a United States federal statute enacted April 11, 1965. It was passed as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and has been the most far-reaching federal legislation affecting education ever passed by Congress...
and the No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "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.
Academic achievement
In 2011, the Grove City Area School District ranked 80th out of 498 Pennsylvania districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking is based on five years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAsPennsylvania System of School Assessment
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is a standardized test administered to public schools in the state of Pennsylvania. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 are assessed in reading skills and mathematics. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are assessed in writing skills...
results in reading, writing, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and three years of science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
.
- 2010 - 73rd
- 2009 - 66th
- 2008 - 67th
- 2007 - 57th out of 501 districts
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Grove City Area School District was in the 77th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)
Graduation rate
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Grove City Area School District's graduation rate was 89% for 2010.
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
- 2010 - 98%
- 2009 - 98%
- 2008 - 98%
- 2007 - 98%
Senior High school
In 2010, the senior high school achieved AYP status, while in 2009 it was in Warning status due to low student achievement.11th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 75% on grade level (11% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 71% (14% below basic), State - 65%
- 2008 - 80% (10% below basic), State - 65%
- 2007 - 73% (15% below basic), State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 70%, on grade level (18% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 71% (16% below basic). State - 56%.
- 2008 - 77% (9% below basic), State - 56%
- 2007 - 68% (16% below basic), State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 60% on grade level (7% below basic). State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 70% (7% below basic). State - 40%
- 2008 - 58%, State - 39%
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
study released in January 2009, 23% of Grove City 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
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
or community colleges. 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. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, 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 high school offers a Dual EnrollmentDual enrollment
In education, dual enrollment involved students being enrolled in two separate, academically related institutions. It may also refer to any individual who is participating in two related programs, but such a general form of usage is uncommon....
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 both high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities at their high school. The college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.
For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,878 for the program.
Graduation requirements
The Grove City Area School Board has determined that a high school student must earn 24.2 credits in order to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social StudiesSocial studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
3 credits, Mathematics 3 credits, Science 3 credits, Physical Education 1.6 credits, Health 1 credit, Freshman Studies 1 credit, Humanities Arts 2.6 credits and 5 elective credits.
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.
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, English Composition, and Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
Middle school
In 2010 and 2009, the middle school achieved AYP status. Pre-algebra is required for all students and research skills are developed through a major research project.8th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 87% on grade level (4% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2009 - 87% (7% below basic), State - 80%
- 2008 - 88% (8% below basic), State - 78%
- 2007 - 86% (4% below basic), State - 75%
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 83% on grade level (6% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 75% of 8th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 82% (5% below basic), State - 71%
- 2008 - 86% (7% below basic), State - 70%
- 2007 - 81% (5% below basic), State - 68%
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 71% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2009 - 67% (15% below basic), State - 55%
- 2008 - 67%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading
- 2010 - 75% on grade level (13% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 73% of 7th graders on grade level.
- 2009 - 75% (10% below basic), State - 71%
- 2008 - 79% (13% below basic), State - 70%
- 2007 - 80% (7% below basic), State - 67%
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 80% on grade level (13% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 77% of 7th graders are on grade level.
- 2009 - 82% (7% below basic), State - 75%
- 2008 - 82% (7% below basic), State - 71%
- 2007 - 85% (5% below basic), State - 67%
Special Education
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 283 pupils or 8.8% of the district's pupils received Special EducationSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
services.
In order to comply with state and federal laws, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. 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 by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the head of Special Education.
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.
Grove City Area School District received a $1,273,732 supplement for special education services in 2010.
For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010. 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.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 107 or 3.78% of its students were gifted in 2009. 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.Bullying policy school safety
In 2010, the administration reported there were no reported episodes of bullying in the district. There were 20 incidents of fighting and one student was placed in Alternative Education.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. The Grove City School Board has failed to do this. 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. 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.
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.
Budget
In 2009, the district employed 207 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $56,314 for 180 school days worked. The beginning salary was $38,540, while the highest salary was $123,086. Teachers work an 7 hour 30 minute day with one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch included. In June 2007, the board agreed to a contract extension for the teachers. Under the 2009-2012 contract extension, teachers receive an average of 3.59 percent a year increase in salary. Additionally, the teachers received a defined benefit pensionPension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
, health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
, professional development reimbursement, several paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, paid bereavement leave days and many other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2007, the Grove City Area School District employed 177 teachers working 180 days pupil instruction. The average teacher salary in the district was $51,793. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $49,596. 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.
In 2008, per pupil spending at Grove City Area School District was ranked 237th in the state at $12,367 for each child.
In 2008, the Grove City Area School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $1.1 million and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $2,024,830.
In October 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the district. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration. The auditors noted that the District does not require all employees to sign the information technology (IT) Security Policy.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local tax on income, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants have provided an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of wealth.
State basic education funding
In 2011-12, the district will receive $7,858,449 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $123,602 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.In 2010, the district reported that 600 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 budget year the Grove City Area School District received a 6.01% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $8,692,930. In Mercer County, the highest increase went to Greenville Area School District
Greenville Area School District
The Greenville Area School District is a small, rural, public school district serving parts of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. It is centered in the borough of Greenville and also covers Sugar Grove Township and Hempfield Townships. Greenville Area School District encompasses approximately . According...
which received an 7.54% increase in state funding. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District
Kennett Consolidated School District
The Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
of Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
which was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.
In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.46% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $8,199,863. Three county school districts received increases of over 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Sharon City School District
Sharon City School District
The Sharon City School District is a public school system serving approximately 2,400 students living in the city of Sharon, Pennsylvania on the western edge of the state. The district currently comprises four school buildings:...
received an 7.59% increase. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District
Muhlenberg School District
The Muhlenberg Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. It encompasses the borough of Laureldale and the Muhlenberg Township. The district encompasses approximately 13 square miles. Per the 2000 federal census data it serves a resident...
in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Grove City Area School District in 2008-09 was $7,702,629.30. 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.
In 2008, the district reported that 549 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
Accountability Block Grant
The state provides additional education funding to schools in the form of Accountability Block Grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses designed to improve student academic achievement. Grove City Area School District uses its $335,486 to fund extensive teacher training through using teacher coaches, to provide all day kindergarten, to extend the instruction time and to provide teacher training. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding. Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants. In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million dollars in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all day kindergartens.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, ScienceScience
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Grove City Area School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07 nor in 2007-08. For the 2008-09, school year the district received $138,210. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.
Federal stimulus grant
The Grove City Area School District received $1,429,800.00 in ARRAArra
Arra is a census town in Puruliya district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Demographics: India census, Arra had a population of 19,911. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Arra has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the...
- Federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding includes $917,000 for Title 1-A programs, $1,088,200 for construction and $337,800 for IDEA programs. This funding was for 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.
Race to the Top grant
School district officials did not apply for the Race to the TopRace to the Top
Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competition designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education...
federal grant which would have brought the district up to million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. The district administration and teachers union rejected applying for the grant. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
Common Cents state initiative
The Grove City Area School District School Board did 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. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.Real Estate Taxes
In 2011, the Grove City Area School Board set the property taxes rate at 56.5 mills for the 2011-12 school year. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property taxProperty tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.
- 2010-11 - 55.500 mills
- 2009-10 - 53.4900 mills
- 2008-09 - 53.4900 mills
- 2007-08 - 51.5012 mills
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 permitted to raise taxes above that index, unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the Pennsylvania 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 StatisticsBureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a unit of the United States Department of Labor. It is the principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is a governmental statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and...
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. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Grove City Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
- 2006-07 - 5.1%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.5%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 5.9%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.5%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 3.9%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 1.9%, Base 1.4%
For the 2011-12 school year, the Grove City Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Grove City Area School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.
Grove city Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11. 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.
Property tax relief
In 2011, property tax relief for 4,004 approved residents of Grove City Area School District was set at $125. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Grove City Area School District was $133 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,779 property owners applied for the tax relief. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, 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.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation
Tax Foundation
The Tax Foundation is a Washington, D.C.-based think tank founded in 1937 that collects data and publishes research studies on tax policies at the federal and state levels. The organization is broken into three primary areas of research which are the Center for Federal Fiscal Policy, The and the...
, 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%).
Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports to middle school and senior high school aged students. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policies. Students are required to be passing at least four full credit subjects or the equivalent and maintaining the lowest possible passing grade point average, to be eligible to participate in athletic activities.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.