Saint Clair Area School District
Encyclopedia
The St. Clair Area School District is a public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
. Centered on the borough of St. Clair
, it also encompasses the boroughs of Middleport
and New Philadelphia
, plus the townships of Blythe Township, New Castle Township, and East Norwegian Township. The district encompasses approximately 48 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 7,020. According to District officials, in school year 2008 the SCASD provided basic educational services to 831 pupils through the employment of 45 teachers, 31 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 2 administrators.
The district operates one school that provides Kindergarten through 8th grades. High school students attend Pottsville High School through an agreement under which Saint Clair Area School District pays tuition for each student. Saint Clair Area School District provides transport for the students to and from Pottsville Area School District
High School. The district has an extensive staff for hearing impaired students.
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 President George W. Bush's 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.
In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Saint Clair Area School District, was in the 10th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)
8th Grade Reading:
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading:
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
4th Grade Reading:
4th Grade Math:
4th Grade Science:
3rd Grade Reading:
3rd Grade Math:
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 by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. 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 Supervisor 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.
Saint Clair Area School District received a $551,070 supplement for special education services in 2010.
The Saint Clair Area School Board has not provided the district's antibully policy online. 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. 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, income protection insurance, several paid personal days, and 10 sick days, life insurance and other benefits. 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.
In 2007, the district employed 37 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $42,104 for 180 school days worked.
Saint Clair Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $861.50 per pupil. The district is ranked 133rd out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
In 2008, Saint Clair Area School District reported spending $10,127 per pupil. This ranked 470th in the commonwealth.
Reserves
In 2009, the district reported a $724,526.00 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $11,007.
In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.
In 2010, the district hired a firm to fight the tax assessment appeal of the Schuylkill Mall
.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.
which received 9.96%. 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. 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 the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.96% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $3,144,235. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $2,939,768. 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. Shenandoah Valley School District
was the highest increase in Schuylkill County with a 14.50% increase in basic education funding, 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.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education
, 280 district students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of 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. 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.
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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Saint Clair Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.
Saint Clair Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets 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.
received $195 which was the highest property tax relief allotted in Schuylkill County for 2009. 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. 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. This was the second year they were the top recipient.
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%).
References:
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
-Notable people:*Boxing heavyweight great Muhammad Ali had his training camp in Deer Lake.*Charles Justin Bailey, commanding general of the 81st Division in World War I, was born in Tamaqua on June 21, 1859....
. Centered on the borough of St. Clair
St. Clair, Pennsylvania
St. Clair is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania two miles north of Pottsville or the southern Coal Region. Extensive deposits of hard coal are present...
, it also encompasses the boroughs of Middleport
Middleport, Pennsylvania
Middleport is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 458 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Middleport is located at ....
and New Philadelphia
New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New Philadelphia is a borough in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,149 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Philadelphia is located at , approximately northwest of the city of Philadelphia....
, plus the townships of Blythe Township, New Castle Township, and East Norwegian Township. The district encompasses approximately 48 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 7,020. According to District officials, in school year 2008 the SCASD provided basic educational services to 831 pupils through the employment of 45 teachers, 31 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 2 administrators.
The district operates one school that provides Kindergarten through 8th grades. High school students attend Pottsville High School through an agreement under which Saint Clair Area School District pays tuition for each student. Saint Clair Area School District provides transport for the students to and from Pottsville Area School District
Pottsville Area School District
Pottsville Area School District is a public school district located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, serving students in central Schuylkill County. The district includes the City of Pottsville and five additional municipalities: the boroughs of Mechanicsville, Mount Carbon, Port Carbon, Palo Alto, and...
High School. The district has an extensive staff for hearing impaired students.
Governance
The district is governed by a 9 member board that is elected to 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 President George W. Bush's 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
Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-profit research and educational institute based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania...
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
The district was excluded from the Pittsburgh Business Times state wide honor roll ranking of school districts because it does not operate a high school.In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Saint Clair Area School District, was in the 10th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)
8th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 74% on grade level. State - 81%
- 2009 - 71%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 73%, State - 78%
- 2007 - 75%, State - 75%
8th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 64% on grade level. State - 75%
- 2009 - 45%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 64%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 52%, State - 67%
8th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 63% on grade level. State - 57%.
- 2009 - 48%, State: - 54%
- 2008 - 46%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 70% on grade level. State - 73%
- 2009 - 73%, State - 71.7%
- 2008 - 47%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 66%, State - 66%
7th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 62% on grade level. State - 77%
- 2009 - 65%, State - 75%
- 2008 - 43%, State - 72%
- 2007 - 63%, State - 67%
6th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 62% on grade level. State - 68%
- 2009 - 66%, State - 67%
- 2008 - 64%, State - 67%
- 2007 - 52%
6th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 42% on grade level. State - 78%
- 2009 - 53%, State - 75.9%
- 2008 - 68%, State - 72%
- 2007 - 55%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 46% on grade level. State - 64%
- 2009 - 43%, State - 64%
- 2008 - 58%, State - 62%
- 2007 - 55%
5th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 54% on grade level. State - 74%
- 2009 - 47%, State - 73%
- 2008 - 69%, State - 73%
- 2007 - 69%
4th Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 68%, State - 72%
- 2009 - 71%, State - 72%
- 2008 - 68%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 81%
4th Grade Math:
- 2010 - 77%, State - 84%
- 2009 - 77%, State - 82%
- 2008 - 68%, State - 80%
- 2007 - 89%
4th Grade Science:
- 2010 - 88% on grade level. State - 81%
- 2009 - 89%, State - 83%
- 2008 - 90%, State - 81%
3rd Grade Reading:
- 2010 - 72%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 79%, State - 72%
- 2008 - 74%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 79%
3rd Grade Math:
- 2010 - 83%, State - 84%
- 2009 - 86%, State - 82%
- 2008 - 88%, State - 80%
- 2007 - 93%
Special Education
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 166 pupils or 30.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.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 by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. 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 Supervisor 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.
Saint Clair Area School District received a $551,070 supplement for special education services in 2010.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 2 children or 0.38% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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
The Saint Clair Area School District administration reported there were 2 incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.The Saint Clair Area School Board has not provided the district's antibully policy online. 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. 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 reports employing over 47 teachers with a starting salary of $30,000. The average teacher salary was $41,075 while the maximum salary is $88,000. In Pennsylvania, the average teacher salary for Pennsylvania's 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977 in 2008. 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. Additionally, Saint Clair Area School District teachers receive 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, income protection insurance, several paid personal days, and 10 sick days, life insurance and other benefits. 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.
In 2007, the district employed 37 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $42,104 for 180 school days worked.
Saint Clair Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $861.50 per pupil. The district is ranked 133rd out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
In 2008, Saint Clair Area School District reported spending $10,127 per pupil. This ranked 470th in the commonwealth.
Reserves
In 2009, the district reported a $724,526.00 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $11,007.
In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.
In 2010, the district hired a firm to fight the tax assessment appeal of the Schuylkill Mall
Schuylkill Mall
The Schuylkill Mall is a regional former, Crown American mall located in Frackville, Pennsylvania. The mall later changed ownership to PREIT after the merger with Crown American. In March 2007, Empire Reality Investments bought the Schuylkill Mall and owns and operates it . It features about 96...
.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.
State basic education funding
For 2010-11 the Saint Clair Area School District received a 5.54% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $3,318,432 payment. The highest increase in BEF in Schuylkill County went to Minersville Area School DistrictMinersville Area School District
The Minersville Area School District is a public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Minerville and also serves the townships of Branch, Cass, Foster, and Reilly. The district features on elementary school and a combined junior-senior high school....
which received 9.96%. 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....
in 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...
received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. 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 the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.96% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $3,144,235. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $2,939,768. 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. Shenandoah Valley School District
Shenandoah Valley School District
The Shenandoah Valley School District is a public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It serves the municipalties of Shenandoah, Altamont, and West Mahanoy Township. The district encompasses approximately 11 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident...
was the highest increase in Schuylkill County with a 14.50% increase in basic education funding, for the 2009-10 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, 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.
According to 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...
, 280 district students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.
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 Saint Clair Area School District applied for and received $122,479 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full day kindergarten for the seventh year.Classrooms for the Future grant
Saint Clair Area School District does not operate a high school, it was, therefore, excluded from this state funding program. 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. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.Federal Stimulus Grant
The district received an extra $831,708 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. The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 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 hundreds of thousands of 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. 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 Saint Clair Area 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
The school board set property tax rates in 2010-2011 at 28.6000 mills. 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. 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. The school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a state board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.- 2009-10 - 27.5000 mills
- 2008-09 - 26.0500 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 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 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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Saint Clair Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.
- 2006-07 - 5.1%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.6%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 6.0%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.6%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 4.0%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 1.9%, Base 1.4%
Saint Clair Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets 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 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Saint Clair Area School District was $73 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,013 property owners applied for the tax relief. Schuylkill Haven Area School DistrictSchuylkill Haven Area School District
The Schuylkill Haven School District is a public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It serves the municipalties of Port Clinton, Landingville, Schuylkill Haven, and South Manheim Township. Schuylkill Haven Area encompasses approximately 55 square miles. According to 2000 federal...
received $195 which was the highest property tax relief allotted in Schuylkill County for 2009. 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. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. This was the second year they were the top recipient.
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 provides taxpayer funded musical instrument lessons. There is a school band.References: