Wallenpaupack Area School District

Wallenpaupack Area School District
Location
2552 Route 6
Hawley, Pennsylvania, Pike County and Wayne County 18428-7045
United States
Information
Type Public
Superintendent Michael (Baxter) Silsby
Grades K-12
Enrollment 3485 (2011-12)[1]
 • Kindergarten 249
 • Grade 1 189
 • Grade 2 200
 • Grade 3 211
 • Grade 4 238
 • Grade 5 278
 • Grade 6 270
 • Grade 7 249
 • Grade 8 316
 • Grade 9 290
 • Grade 10 321
 • Grade 11 332
 • Grade 12 342
 • Other Enrollment projected to be 2971 pupils in 2019[2]
Tuition ES $10,669.24, HS $9,910.92[3]
Website http://wallenpaupack.org/
Wallenpaupack Area School District region in Wayne County

Wallenpaupack Area is a third-class school district in Pike and Wayne Counties in Pennsylvania. The district's population was 24,729 at the time of the 2010 United States Census.

The district encompasses approximately 321 square miles (830 km2). According to federal census data, its population has increased by 3,991 residents from 20,738 residents in 2000. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $19,073, while the median family income was $42,955.[4] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[5] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[6] According to Wallenpaupack Area School District administrative officials, during the 2005-06 school year, the district provided basic educational services to 4,084 pupils, employed 13 administrators, 331 teachers, and 174 full-time and part-time support personnel.

The school district operates six schools

Constituent municipalities

Unlike many school districts in Pennsylvania, Wallenpaupack Area is not subdivided into regions. However, it does contain the following municipalities (labeled by county):

Governance

Wallenpaupack Area School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[7] 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.[8] Football Team- Wallenpaupack Buckhorns School Colors- Purple and White

Academic achievement

Wallenpaupack Area School District was ranked 166th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2012. The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on five years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing, math, and three years of science.[9]

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Wallenpaupack Area School District ranked 9th. In 2011, the district was 11th. The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[13]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Wallenpaupack Area School District was in the 70th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)[14]

Graduation rate

In 2011, Wallenpaupack Area School District's graduation rate was 93%.[15] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Wallenpaupack High School's rate was 91% for 2010.[16]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

High school

Wallenpaupack Area High School is located at 2552 Route 6, Hawley. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school has 1,416 pupils enrolled in grades 9th through 12th, with 585 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 77 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1.[21]

In 2011, the school was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement. In 2010, the school was in AYP status due to low student achievement.[22] In 2011, the district administration reported to the PDE that it had 7 Non‐Highly Qualified teachers who were teaching core academic courses.[23]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading

11th Grade Math:

11th Grade Science:

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 18% of the Wallenpaupack Area 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.[31] 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.[32] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

Wallenpaupack Area High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books[33] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[34] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $9,388 for the program.[35]

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 219 Wallenpaupack Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 496. The Math average score was 517. The Writing average score was 474.[36] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[37] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[38]

Middle school

Wallenpaupack Area Middle School is located at 139 Atlantic Ave, Hawley. In 2010, the school had 849 pupils enrolled in grades 6th through 8th, with 412 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 55 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[39]

In 2010 and 2011 Wallenpaupack Area Middle School achieved AYP status.[40]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Reading

  • 2011 - 88% on grade level 66% advanced, (4% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.[41]
  • 2010 - 91%, 68% advanced (3% below basic). State - 81%[42]
  • 2009 - 90%, 64% advanced (3% below basic), State - 80%
  • 2008 - 89%, 65% advanced (5% below basic), State - 78%[43]

8th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 82%, 58% advanced, (5% below basic). State - 76.9%
  • 2010 - 89%, 63% advanced (4% below basic). State - 75%
  • 2009 - 85%, 54% advanced (4% below basic). State - 71%[44]
  • 2008 - 77%, 48% advanced (8% below basic). State - 70%

8th Grade Science:

7th Grade Reading

  • 2011 - 87%, 58% advanced (3% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2010 - 78%, 50% advanced (6% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2009 - 83%, 54% advanced (5% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2008 - 83%, 42% advanced (6% below basic). State - 70%

7th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 91%, 65% advanced (3% below basic). State - 78.6%
  • 2010 - 89%, 66% advanced (4% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2009 - 81%, 54% advanced (7% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2008 - 77%, 48% advanced (7% below basic), State - 71%

6th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 71% (11% below basic). State - 69.9%
  • 2010 - 80% (8% below basic). State - 68%
  • 2009 - 65% (11% below basic), State - 67%
  • 2008 - 83% (5% below basic), State - 67%

6th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 79%, 51% advanced (7% below basic). State - 78.8%
  • 2010 - 84%, 58% advanced (5% below basic). State - 78%
  • 2009 - 80%, 56% advanced (6% below basic). State - 75%
  • 2008 - 75%, 41% advanced (9% below basic), State - 72%

Elementary schools

Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School is located at 187 Atlantic Ave, Hawley. In 2010, the school had 604 pupils enrolled in grades 3rd through 5th, with 303 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 40 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[45] In 2010 and 2011, Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School achieved AYP status.[46] Additionally, the administration reports that all of the teachers are Highly Qualified under No Child Left Behind.

5th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 71% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 67.3%[47]
  • 2010 - 71% (13% below basic). State – 64%
  • 2009 - 78% (6% below basic), State - 64%[48]
  • 2008 - 67% (14% below basic), State - 62%

5th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 80% on grade level (3% below basic). State - 74%
  • 2010 - 80% (7% below basic). State - 76.3%
  • 2009 - 78% (4% below basic), State - 73%
  • 2008 - 79% (4% below basic), State - 73%[49]

4th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 77% (6% below basic). State – 73.3%
  • 2010 - 86% (4% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2009 - 85% (2% below basic). State - 72%
  • 2008 - 82% (3% below basic), State - 70%
4th Grade Math
  • 2011 - 89%, 48% advanced (4% below basic), State – 85.3%
  • 2010 - 92%, 60% advanced (3% below basic). State - 84%
  • 2009 - 90%, 52% advanced (2% below basic). State - 81%
  • 2008 - 85%, 58% advanced (6% below basic), State - 80%

4th Grade Science

3rd Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 84%, (8% below basic), State – 77%
  • 2010 - 82%, (7% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2009 - 84%, (5% below basic), State - 77%
  • 2008 - 89%, (3% below basic), State - 70%
3rd Grade Math
  • 2011 - 94%, (2% below basic), State – 83%
  • 2010 - 92%, (1% below basic), State - 84%
  • 2009 - 85%, (3% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2008 - 89%, (1% below basic), State - 80%

Wallenpaupack Primary School is located at 158 Atlantic Ave, Hawley. In 2010, the school had 518 pupils enrolled in preschool through second grade, with 254 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 30 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 17:1.[50]

Wallenpaupack South Elementary School is located at 989 Main Street, Newfoundland. In 2010, the school had 392 pupils enrolled in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 199 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 24 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 16:1.[51] In 2010 and 2011, Wallenpaupack South Elementary School achieved AYP status.[52]

6th Grade Reading:

  • 2010 - 72% (9% below basic). State - 68%[53]
  • 2009 - 75% (10% below basic), State - 67%[54]
  • 2008 - 77% (9% below basic), State - 67%

6th Grade Math:

  • 2010 - 75%, 57% advanced (8% below basic). State - 78%
  • 2009 - 91%, 72% advanced (3% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2008 - 84%, 54% advanced (7% below basic), State - 72%

5th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 71% (13% below basic). State - 67.3%
  • 2010 - 60% (21% below basic). State – 64%
  • 2009 - 72% (9% below basic), State - 64%
  • 2008 - 77% (9% below basic), State - 62%

5th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 83% (4% below basic). State - 74%
  • 2010 - 71% (7% below basic). State - 76.3%
  • 2009 - 80%, 44% advanced (9% below basic), State - 73%
  • 2008 - 87%, 66% advanced (2% below basic), State - 73%

4th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 79% (8% below basic), State – 73.3%
  • 2010 - 74% (13% below basic), State - 73%
  • 2009 - 75% (12% below basic), State - 72%
  • 2008 - 69% (12% below basic), State - 70%
4th Grade Math
  • 2011 - 96%, 55% advanced (2% below basic), State – 85.3%
  • 2010 - 87%, 52% advanced (7% below basic), State - 84%
  • 2009 - 87%, 45% advanced (7% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2008 - 88%, 60% advanced (6% below basic), State - 80%

4th Grade Science

3rd Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 85% (9% below basic), State – 77%
  • 2010 - 84% (7% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2009 - 78% (8% below basic), State - 77%
  • 2008 - 83% (10% below basic), State - 70%
3rd Grade Math
  • 2011 - 96%, 68% advanced (0% below basic), State – 83%
  • 2010 - 96%, 59% advanced (2% below basic), State - 84%
  • 2009 - 80%, (10% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2008 - 89%, (5% below basic), State - 80%

Special education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 653 pupils or 17% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[55]

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress .[56] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department.[57][58]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.[59] The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district’s students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student’s needs accrue the same level of costs.[60] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[61] Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.[62]

The Wallenpaupack Area School District received a $1,630,663 supplement for special education services in 2010.[63] For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[64]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 73 or 1.73% of its students were gifted in 2009.[65] 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.[66][67]

Budget

In 2009, the district reported employing 763 teachers and administrators with a salary range of $42,562 to $164,000. The average salary was $62.029.[68][69] Teachers work 187 days per year with 180 pupil days. The teacher's work day is limited to 7 hours per day, including a 30-minute, duty-free lunch period and a daily preparation period. Teachers appointed as grade level coordinator or department chairman are paid an additional $7,032 per year in 2012. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits. The teachers union is granted 12 days per year to conduct union business without loss of pay. The base starting salary will be $45,013 in 2013.[70] Nationwide, the average wage for high school teachers was $55,990, for middle school teachers, $54,880, and for elementary school teachers, $54,330.[71]

In 2007, the district employed 303 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $55,884 for 180 days worked.[72] 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.[73]

Wallenpaupack Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $675.57 per pupil. This ranked 353rd in Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[74] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association's report, the average salary for a superintendent, for the 2007-08 school year, was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.[75]

In 2008, the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $13,783 which ranked 118th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, Wallenpaupack's per pupil spending increased to $15,362.09 which ranked 93rd in Pennsylvania.[76] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[77] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[78]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported a balance of $4,932,092 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $5,145,945.[79] In 2010, Wallenpaupack Area Administration reported $4,165,422 in the district's unreserved-undesignated fund and the unreserved-designated fund balance was $5,991,641. Pennsylvania school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.[80]

In February 2008, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration. The report noted serious Ethics Act and hiring violations of a former school board member.[81]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of the individual’s personal wealth.[82]

State basic education funding

In 2011-12, the district received a $4,519,675, allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[83][84] Additionally, the School District received $117,244 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $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.[85] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.[86] In 2010, the district reported that 1,914 students received federal free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[87]

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.94% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $4,605,932.59. Among the districts in Pike County, the highest increase went to Delaware Valley School District which got a 7.03% increase. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[88] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where a district received at least the same amount as the year before, even where enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district receives was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of the Governor Rendell’s policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.16% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $4,329,535. Among the districts in Wayne County, Wallenpaupack Area School District received the highest increase. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $4,156,507.35. Ninety Pennsylvania school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[89] The amount of increase each school district receives was set by Governor Edward Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.[90] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1,560 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[91]

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 district applied for and received $318,229 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten.[92][93]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Wallenpaupack Area School District applied to participate in 2006, but was denied funding by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2007-08, the district received $384,360. The district received $69,568 in 2008-09, for a total funding of $453,928.[94] In County the highest award was given to area School District. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state financial crisis.

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $1.5 million in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[95] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.[96] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top grant

Wallenpaupack Area School District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided over one million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[97] 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.[98] 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.[99][100][101]

Common Cents state initiative

Wallenpaupack Area School Board did not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education's 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.[102] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2011-12 were set by the school board at 12.7792 mills in Wayne County and 63.4774 mills in Pike County. 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.[103] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. 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.[104] 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.[105] In 2010, miscalculations by the board were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts.[106]

Act 1 Adjusted Index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[111] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[112] The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school’s share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[113][114]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Wallenpaupack Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[115]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Wallenpaupack Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: special education costs and pension costs. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[117]

For the 2011-12 school year, Wallenpaupack Area School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to pension costs. Each year, Wallenpaupack 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 published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[118]

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.[119]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and PIAA eligibility requirements.[120][121]

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[122]

References

  1. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment and Projections by LEA, 2011
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2009). "Enrollment and Projections by school district".
  3. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tuition rates per LEA, 2010
  4. ↑ US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
  5. ↑ US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts".
  6. ↑ US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
  8. ↑ The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. "The Pennsylvania Project". Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2012". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 5, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2011,". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 2011.
  11. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 30, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2010".
  12. ↑ "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007.
  13. ↑ "Overachiever statewide ranking". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 6, 2010.
  14. ↑ The Morning Call (2009). "2009 PSSA RESULTS School District".
  15. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Wallenpaupack Area School District AYP Data Table".
  16. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  17. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "School District Academic Achievement Report Card Data table".
  18. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  19. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
  21. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Wallenpaupack Area High School, 2010
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Wallenpaupack Area High School AYP Overview".
  23. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack Area School Districts Professional Qualifications of Teachers, September 29, 2011
  24. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  25. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  26. ↑ The Times-Tribune. (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results,".
  27. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
  28. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Wallenpaupack Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  29. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  30. ↑ The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  31. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,".
  32. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  33. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  34. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  35. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Dual Enrollment Grants 2009 10 Fall Grants by School District".
  36. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Public School SAT Scores 2011".
  37. ↑ College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  38. ↑ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". September 2011.
  39. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Wallenpaupack Area Middle School, 2010
  40. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack Area Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  41. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Wallenpaupack Area Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  42. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack Area Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, October 20, 2010
  43. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack Area Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
  44. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack Area Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2010
  45. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School, 2010
  46. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
  47. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  48. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  49. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
  50. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Wallenpaupack Primary School, 2010
  51. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Wallenpaupack South Elementary School, 2010
  52. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack South Elementary School, September 29, 2011
  53. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Wallenpaupack South Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011 & 2010" (PDF).
  54. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Wallenpaupack South Elementary School Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  55. ↑ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Services (2009–2010). "Wallenpaupack Area School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets".
  56. ↑ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education (2008). "Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education Services".
  57. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education - Wallenpaupack Area School District Administration (January 6, 2011). "Procedural Safeguards Notice".
  58. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (September 2005). "Gaskin Settlement Agreement Overview Facts Sheet" (PDF).
  59. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania Special Education Funding".
  60. ↑ Senator Patrick Browne (November 1, 2011). "Senate Education Committee Holds Hearing on Special Education Funding & Accountability".
  61. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Amy Morton, Executive Deputy Secretary (November 11, 2011). "Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony".
  62. ↑ Baruch Kintisch Education Law Center (November 11, 2011). "Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony" (PDF).
  63. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2010). "Special Education Funding from Pennsylvania State_2010-2011".
  64. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  65. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (Revised December 1, 2009 Child Count (Collected July 2010)). "Gifted Students as Percentage of Total Enrollment by School District/Charter School" (PDF). Check date values in: |date= (help)
  66. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania School Board. "CHAPTER 16. Special Education For Gifted Students". Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  67. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 26, 2010). "Special Education for Gifted Students Notice of Parental rights" (PDF).
  68. ↑ Asbury Park Press (2009). "PA. Public School Salaries".
  69. ↑ Wallenpaupack Area School Board (2008). "Wallenpaupack Area School District Payroll".
  70. ↑ Wallenpaupack Area School Board. "Wallenpaupack Area School District Teacher Union Employment Contract 2008-2013".
  71. ↑ US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages for Teachers in Pennsylvania, May 2010
  72. ↑ Fenton, Jacob, (March 2009). "Average classroom teacher salary in Wayne County, 2006-07". The Morning Call.
  73. ↑ PA Delaware County Times, Teachers need to know enough is enough, April 20, 2010.
  74. ↑ Fenton, Jacob. (February 2009). "Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?,". The Morning Call.
  75. ↑ Pennsylvania School Board Association (October 2009). "Public School Salaries 11th Annual".
  76. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-10 Selected Data - 2009-10 Total Expenditures per ADM".
  77. ↑ United States Census Bureau (2009). "States Ranked According to Per Pupil Elementary-Secondary Public School System Finance Amounts: 2008-09" (PDF).
  78. ↑ US Census Bureau (2009). "Total and current expenditures per pupil in fall enrollment in public elementary and secondary education, by function and state or jurisdiction: 2006-07".
  79. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Fund Balances by Local Education Agency 1997 to 2008".
  80. ↑ Murphy, Jan., Pennsylvania's public schools boost reserves, CentreDaily Times, September 22, 2010
  81. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (February 2008). "Wallenpaupack Area School District Wayne County, Pennsylvania Performance Audit Report".
  82. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (April 2010). "Personal Income Taxation Guidelines".
  83. ↑ PA Senate Appropriations Committee (June 28, 2011). "School District 2011-12 Funding Report".
  84. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  85. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  86. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  87. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, District Allocations Report 2009, 2009-10
  88. ↑ Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee Education Budget information (June 30, 2010). "PA Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010-2011" (PDF).
  89. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 2009). "Funding Allocations by district".
  90. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of Budget (February 2009). "Governor's Budget Proposal 2009 Pennsylvania Department of Education Budget Proposal 2009,".
  91. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Funding Report by LEA, 2009
  92. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Accountability Block Grant report Grantee list 2010".
  93. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Accountability Block Grant Mid Year report".
  94. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Classrooms for the Future grants audit" (PDF).
  95. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2009). "County ARRA FUNDING Report".
  96. ↑ "School stimulus money". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 12, 2009.
  97. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (December 9, 2009). "Race To The Top Webinar powerpoint for districts December 2009" (PDF).
  98. ↑ Governor's Press Office release (January 20, 2010). "Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support,".
  99. ↑ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
  100. ↑ Gerald Zahorchak (December 2008). "Pennsylvania Race to the Top Letter to Superintendents" (PDF).
  101. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 19, 2009). "Pennsylvania Race to the Top -School Districts Title I Allocations 2009-10".
  102. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "Common Cents program - Making Every Dollar Count".
  103. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Real Estate Tax Rates by School District 2011-12 Real Estate Mills".
  104. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2004). "Act 511 Tax Report".
  105. ↑ State Tax Equalization Board (2011). "State Tax Equalization Board About US".
  106. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General office - Bureau of Audits (February 2011). "A Special Performance Audit of the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Boards" (PDF).
  107. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  108. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Financial Elements Reports".
  109. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Financial Elements Reports 2008-09 Real Estate Mills".
  110. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  111. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2010-11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines".
  112. ↑ Kaitlynn Riely (August 4, 2011). "Law could restrict school construction projects". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  113. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly (June 29, 2011). "SB330 of 2011".
  114. ↑ Eric Boehm (July 1, 2011). "Property tax reform final piece of state budget". PA Independent.
  115. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2010). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 School District Adjusted Index for 2006-2007 through 2010-2011".
  116. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2012-2013 School District Adjusted Index, May 2011
  117. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Report on Referendum Exceptions For School Year 2012-2013, March 30, 2012
  118. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 the Taxpayer Relief Act information".
  119. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Annual Report on Act 1 Exceptions, April 2011
  120. ↑ Wallenpaupack Area School Board of Education, Academic Eligibility, 2011
  121. ↑ Wallenpaupack Area School Administration Parent/Student Handbook: Extracurricular Eligibility and Athletic Regulations, 2011
  122. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
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