The South Eastern School District is a midsized, rural, public school district in southern York County, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Cross Roads, Stewartstown, Delta, and Fawn Grove, plus the townships of Hopewell Township, East Hopewell Township, Fawn Township, and Peach Bottom Township. It also includes the villages of Bryansville and Woodbine. The district encompasses approximately 105 square miles (270 km2). According to data from the 2000 federal census, it serves a resident population of 17,884 people. By 2010, South Eastern School District's population increased to 19,567 people. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $20,060, while the median family income was $55,846. In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010. According to District officials, in school year 2007/08, South Eastern School District provided basic educational services to 3,286 pupils through the employment of 260 teachers, 102 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 21 administrators. In 2007/08, South Eastern School District received more than $13.4 million in state funding.
Schools
- Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary School [1]
- Fawn Area Elementary School [2]
- Stewartstown Elementary School [3]
- South Eastern Middle School - West [4]
- South Eastern Middle School - East [5]
- Kennard-Dale High School [6]
Governance
South Eastern 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. 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 its resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The district is divided into three regions with three school board members are elected from within each of the individual regions.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "C" 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
South Eastern School District was ranked 194th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2013 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic achievement on the PSSA results on: reading, writing, math and science. The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.
- 2012 - 235th
- 2011 - 232nd
- 2010 - 232nd
- 2009 - 258th
- 2008 - 333rd
- 2007 - 333rd of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania.
In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. South Eastern School District ranked 453rd. The paper 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."
- 2011 - 466th
- 2010 - 470th
- 2009 - 479th
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of South Eastern School District was in the 59th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)
District AYP status history
In 2012, South Eastern School District achieved AYP status. In 2011, South Eastern School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance. South Eastern School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2010, while in 2003 the District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.
Graduation rate
In 2012, South Eastern School District’s graduation rate was 90%. In 2011, the graduation rate was 92%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Kennard-Dale High School's rate was 92% for 2010.
- According to traditional graduation rate calculations
- 2010 - 97%
- 2009 - 92%
- 2008 - 94%
- 2007 - 94%
Kennard-Dale High School
Kennard-Dale High School is located at 393 Main Street, Fawn Grove. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 936 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 131 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 78 teachers, yielding a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 12:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
In 2012, Kennard-Dale High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status. In 2011, Kennard-Dale High School declined to "Warning" status due to lagging student achievement in reading and math. In 2010, the high school achieved AYP status.
- PSSA Results:
- 11th Grade Reading
- 2012 - 69% on grade level, (13% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2011 - 65% (18% below basic). State - 69.1%
- 2010 - 64% (22% below basic). State - 66%
- 2009 - 67%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 72%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 56%, State - 65%
- 11th Grade Math
- 2012 - 71% on grade level (17% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2011 - 55% (20% below basic). State - 60.3%
- 2010 - 52% (31% below basic). State - 59%
- 2009 - 57%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 64%, State - 55%
- 2007 - 44%, State - 53%
- 11th Grade Science
- 2012 - 52% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2011 - 42% (10% below basic). State - 40%
- 2010 - 44% (14% below basic). State - 39%
- 2009 - 50%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 46%, State - 39%
College remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 34% of Kennard-Dale 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.
Dual enrollment
Kennard-Dale 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, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. For the 2009/10 funding year, the South Eastern School District received a state grant of $6,310 for the program.
SAT scores
In 2012, 134 South Eastern School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 481. The Math average score was 507. The Writing average score was 468. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.
In 2011, 138 Kennard-Dale High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 504. The Math average score was 500. The Writing average score was 470. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. 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.
Dollars for Scholars
South Eastern Dollars for Scholars program has awarded 299 scholarships totaling $299,000. The program gives scholarships to graduating seniors for college and technical school tuition. The money comes from local fundraising efforts.
Graduation requirements
The South Eastern School District School Board requires students to earn 28.75 credits to graduation, including 4 credits of English, 4 credits of Social Studies, 4 credits of Mathematics, 4 credits of Science (1 in biology), 3 credits of Arts and Humanities, 0.75 credits of Health, 1..5 credits of Physical Education, 1 credit in Technology, 1 credit for the graduation project and 5.5 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. At Kennard-Dale High School the project begins during students' freshman year and concludes at the end of their junior year. The graduation project has been modified. Students are no longer required to write a formal research paper/report of their graduation project or to complete a formal presentation among graduation project judges. See the South Eastern School District website www.sesdweb.net for additional details regarding graduation project. .
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams. For the class of 2019, a composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements. In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.
South Eastern Middle School East
South Eastern Middle School East is located at 375 Main Street, Fawn Grove. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 511 pupils in grades 7th and 8th, with 93 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 39 teachers, yielding a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 13:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1 teacher was rated "Nonâ€Highly Qualified" and 15 teachers had Emergency Certification under No Child Left Behind.
IN 2012, South Eastern Middle School East declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2010 and 2011 South Eastern Middle School East achieved AYP status.
- 8th Grade Reading:
- 2012 - 88% on grade level, 60% advanced (4% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2011 - 89%, 61% advanced. State - 81.8%
- 2010 - 85%, 56% advanced. State - 81%
- 2009 - 81%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 84%, State - 78%
- 2007 - 78%, State - 75%
- 8th Grade Math:
- 2012 - 76% on grade level (10% below basic). State - 76%
- 2011 - 76% (13% below basic). State - 76.9%
- 2010 - 70% (12% below basic). State - 75%
- 2009 - 71%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 73%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 70%, State - 67%
- 8th Grade Science:
- 2012 - 71% on grade level (13% below basic). State - 59%
- 2011 - 65% (15% below basic). State â€" 58.3%
- 2010 - 68% (% below basic). State â€" 57%
- 2009 - 58%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 61%, State - 52%
- 2007 - tested, but results not made public.
South Eastern Middle School West
South Eastern Middle School West is located at 417 Main Street, Fawn Grove, mere feet from South Eastern Middle School East. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 445 pupils in grades 5th and 6th, with 96 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 40 teachers, yielding a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 11:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
In 2010 through 2012, South Eastern Middle School West achieved AYP status.
Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary School
Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary School is located at 1081 Atom Road, Delta. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 330 pupils in preschool through 4th grade, with 110 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 30 teachers, yielding a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 11:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
For 2010 through 2012, Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary School achieved AYP status.
In 2012, just 78% of 3rd grade students were reading on grade level. Among 4th graders, only 78% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 88% of the students in 3rd and 4th grades were on grade level and 46% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 96% of the pupils were on grade level.
In 2011, only 73% of the students were reading on grade level in 3rd grade and just 60% were reading on grade level in 4th grade. In math, 85% of the students in 3rd and 4th grades were on grade level and 41% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 83% of the pupils were on grade level.
Fawn Elementary School
Fawn Elementary School is located at 504 Main Street, Fawn Grove. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 315 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 47 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 24 teachers, yielding a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 13:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
In 2010 through 2012, Fawn Elementary School achieved AYP status.
In 2012, 89% of the 3rd and 4th graders at Fawn Elementary School were reading on grade level. In Mathematics, 97% of the students in 3rd and 4th grades were on grade level and 60% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 97% of the pupils were on grade level, with 57% achieving advanced. In 2011, 91% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd and 4th. In math, 97% of the students in 3rd and 4th grades were on grade level and 60% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 98% of the pupils were on grade level with 59% advanced.
Stewartstown Elementary School
Stewartstown Elementary School is located at 17945 Barrens Road, Stewartstown. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 318 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 50 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 19 teachers, yielding a studentâ€"teacher ratio of 17:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
In 2010 through 2012, Stewartstown Elementary School achieved AYP status.
In 2012, 93% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd and 4th with 51% achieving advanced skills. In math, 99% of the students in 3rd and 4th grades were on grade level and 83% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 98% of the pupils were on grade level with 75% achieving advanced. In 2011, 93% of the students at Stewartstown Elementary School were reading on grade level, in 3rd and 4th grades with 51% achieving advanced skills. In math, 97% of the students in 3rd and 4th grades were on grade level and 78% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 98% of the pupils were on grade level with 60% achieving advanced.
Wellness program
The South Eastern School Board approved the creation of the Health Advisory Council in the Fall of 2001.
South Eastern School District follows the USDA’s Offer vs. Serve option for meeting meal pattern requirements. For lunch, students are given the choice of five different food items: Meat/Meat Alternate, Bread/Bread Alternate, Milk, Fruit and Vegetable. Students must select at least three items to qualify as a meal. The district participates in Market Basket of the Month, a WellSpan Growing Healthy Kids School Partnership initiative.
South Eastern School Board established a district wellness policy in December 2008 - Policy 246. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for review and approval.
South Eastern School District offers a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to low-income children. The program is funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.
Bullying policy
In 2011, South Eastern School District Administration reported there were no incidents of bullying in the district. Additionally, there were thirty-one incidents involving law enforcement with 16 arrests. There was one assault on a student and 2 bomb threats.
In 2009, South Eastern School District Administration reported there was three incidents of bullying in the district.
South Eastern School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. The board policy 249.1 Bullying/Cyberbullying defines bullying and cyberbullying. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying. The board expects staff members to be responsible to maintain an educational environment free from all forms of bullying. 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.
Special education
South Eastern School District administration reported that 443 pupils or 14.5% of the district's pupils received Special Education services in December 2011. Among identified students 51% had a specific learning disability.
The District's administration reported that 453 pupils or 14.2% of the District's pupils received Special Education services in December 2010. Among identified students 50.3% had a specific learning disability. The Administration reported that 446 pupils or 14.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services in December 2009.
South Eastern 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. When a child experiences difficulty within the classroom, screening information will be gathered by the team located within the child’s school to determine his or her specific needs. 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 make a written request for a multidisciplinary evaluation to the building principal or the Director of Special Education.
Once permission is given for the evaluation, the district has 60 calendar days to complete the report. The parents are sent a copy 10 days before the team IEP meeting called an Educational Review. Following the ER, the district has 30 days to develop an IEP (individual Education Plan) with parent/guardian participation. The time from IEP written plan to implementation may be no more than 10 days.
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. 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. The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. 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. In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.
South Eastern School District received a $1,714,545 supplement to pay for special education services in 2010. For the 2011/12 and 2012/13 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010/11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.
Gifted education
South Eastern District Administration reported that 109 or 3.57% 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 Kennard Dale High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, online enrichment coursework, research and technology based projects, transition planning, independent contracts, mentoring and shadowing 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.
Budget
Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). An annual operating budget is prepared by school district administrative officials. A uniform form is furnished by the PDE and submitted to the board of school directors for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year on July 1.
Under Pennsylvania’s Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.
In 2011, South Eastern School District employed 281 teachers and administrators. The average teacher salary in South Eastern School District was $58,659 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $20,059 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $78,718. The top salary was $135,000.
In 2009, South Eastern School District reported employing over 280 teachers with a salary range of $40,714 to $130,000. The average salary in the district is $59,058. The contract year is 192 days with 182 student days. Five days are designated for district-wide unified staff development. Teachers work a 7-hour 30 minute work day with a 30-minute duty-free lunch and a daily preparation period. Additionally, the district's teachers receive: a defined benefit pension, health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, college credit reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days (which accumulate) and other benefits. Teachers receive additional pay for extra duties and meetings held outside of regular school hours.
In 2007, South Eastern School District employed over 212 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $52,005 for 180 days worked. 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.
South Eastern School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $694.62 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association maintains statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association's 2009 salary report, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007/08 school year was $122,165.
Per pupil spending South Eastern School District Administration reported that its per pupil spending, in 2008, was $11,729 which ranked 308th in the state' 501 school districts. In 2010, the District's per pupil spending had increased to $13,799.97 which ranked 194th among Pennsylvania public school districts. Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008/09. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.
Reserves In 2008, South Eastern School District reported a $2,438,062 balance in an unreserved-undesignated fund. The designated fund balance was reported as $917,762. In 2010, South Eastern School District Administration reported an increase to $3,465,906 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance and an increased balance of $2,751,697 in its designated fund. Pennsylvania school district reserve funds are divided into two categories â€" 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. By law the state limits the total unreserved-undesignated fund balance at 8% of the annual budget for school districts that have budgets over $19 million a year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.
Fund balance (designated and undesignated)
- 2008/09 - $6.2 million
- 2007/08 - $3.4 million
- 2007/06 - $2.1 Million
Audit The Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district in August 2010. Findings were reported to the administration and the school board, including possible conflicts of interests in the actions of board members. The review found that payments totaling $717,961 for various projects and repairs were made without advertising for competitive bids as required by Section 751 of the Public School Code (Code), 24 P.S. § 7-751.
Tuition Students who live in the South Eastern School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to South Eastern School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the South Eastern School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $10,501.05, High School - $9,508.74.
South Eastern School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1%, a real estate property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Interest earnings on the reserve accounts also provide nontax income to the District. 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 their personal wealth.
State basic education funding
For the 2012/13 school year, South Eastern School District received $8,495,496. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012/2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011/12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block grant program. South Eastern School District received $196,119 in ABG funds. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.
In 2011/12, South Eastern School District received a $8,299,377 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the School District received $196,119 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. 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. In 2010, the district reported that 599 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010/11 budget year, South Eastern School District received a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,766,710. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in York County was awarded to Hanover Public School District at 8.39%. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010/11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by then Governor Edward Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year. This was the second year of 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 3.56% increase in Basic Education Funding (BEF) for a total of $8,592,949. Four school districts in York County received increases of over 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009, with the highest increase awarded to Central York School District which received 12.54% increase in BEF in 2009. In York County, 12 school districts received a less than 6% increase in state basic education funding in 2009 and three districts received the base 2% increase. Ninety school districts in the commonwealth were given the base 2% increase. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The amount of increase each public school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.
The state Basic Education funding to South Eastern School District in 2008/09 was $8,297,812,. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 474 students, in the South Eastern School District, received free or reduced-price 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 to improve instruction, 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 South Eastern School District applied for and received $532,317 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to reduce class size K-3rd grade and to provide full-day kindergarten (3rd year).
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. South Eastern School District was denied funding in 2006/07. In 2007/08 received $294,711 and $53,423 in 2008/09 for a total funding of $348,134. 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 by Governor Rendell due to a massive state financial crisis.
Other grants
The District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants, Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the 21st Century learning grants.
Federal Stimulus funding
The district received an extra $1,186,221 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students. The Pennsylvania Department of Education advised the districts to use the money for nonrecurring expenses like purchasing equipment and teaching resources like computers, books, and software or for teacher training.
Race to the Top grant
South Eastern School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant. When approved for the grant, the district would have received hundreds of thousands in 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. Six York County school districts applied to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of the majority of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
Common Cents state initiative
The South Eastern School Board decided to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
Real estate taxes
South Eastern School Board levied a property tax of 21.2055 mills in 2012/13. 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 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. 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. On the local level, Pennsylvania 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.
- 2011/12 - 20.8510 mills
- 2010/11 - 20.4824 mills
- 2009/10 - 19.7326 mills
- 2008/09 - 18.8309 mills
- 2007/08 - 17.8323 mills.
- 2006/07 - 16.9060 mills.
The average yearly property tax paid by York County residents amounts to about 4.01% of their yearly income. York County ranked 232nd of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008/09 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011. 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%).
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. In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index. 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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the South Eastern School District 2006/2007 through 2011/2012.
For the 2012/13 budget year, South Eastern School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. 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.
For the 2011/12 school year, South Eastern School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the 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.
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.
The South Eastern School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011. 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 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the South Eastern School District was $131 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 5,536 property owners applied for the tax relief. In 2009, the district's property tax relief amount was set at $133 to 5,444 approved homestead owners. In 2010 within York County, the highest amount went to York City School District set at $495 per approved homestead. The property tax 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 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 $641 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. CUSD was given $632 in 2009. 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 greater 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%).
Extracurriculars
The district's students have access to a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board policy. In 2012, the Board initiated an activity fee for all extracurriculars. The fee varies from $25 to $200. Students would pay $25 to participate in a club or activity. For athletics, students pay $50 per sport. No student pays more than $125 per year and no family would pay more than $200 per year. A waiver program is in place for families with serious financial constraints. School District spent $60,438 for the transportation of sports teams in 2011/12. Countywide nearly $1 million was spent on transporting public school sports teams. Collectively, York County public schools spent over $9 million on sports budgets (does not include facility costs) in 2011/12.
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.
Sports
The District funds:
- Middle School Sports
According to PIAA directory July 2012