Aliquippa School District

The Aliquippa School District is a small, urban, public school district located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The District serves the City of Aliquippa. Aliquippa School District encompasses approximately 4 square miles (10 km²). According to 2010 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 9,438 people. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $13,718, while the median family income was $34,003.[3] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[4] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[5] The educational attainment levels for the Aliquippa School District population (25 years old and over) were 86.5% high school graduates and 16.3% college graduates.[6]

Aliquippa School District
Address
800 21st Street Aliquippa , Pennsylvania, 15001 United States
Coordinates	40.610651°N 80.259565°W / 40.610651; -80.259565 (District office)
District information
Type	Public
Motto	Excellence in Education
Grades	Kindergarten–12th
Established	1908 (1908)
Superintendent	Dr. Peter M. Carbone
School board	Art Piroli, Sr., Aileen Gilbert, Nicole Bible, Janice Cain, Catherine Colalella, Elverna Cuffie, Sandra Gill, Tina Price-Genes, Terry Swanson
Schools	2 total: Aliquippa Elementary Aliquippa Jr./Sr. High School
NCES District ID	4202130[1][2]
Students and staff
Students	1,170[2]
Teachers	86[2]
Staff	168[2]
Student–teacher ratio	14:1[2]
District mascot	Quips
Colors	Red, black
Other information
Website	www.aliquippa.k12.pa.us

According to District officials, in school year 2007–08 the district provided basic educational services to 1,170 pupils through the employment of 124 teachers, 74 full-time and part-time support personnel, and nine administrators. In 2009-2010, the District provided basic educational services to 1,171 pupils. It employed: 115 teachers, 87 full-time and part-time support personnel, and nine (9) administrators. Aliquippa School District received $12.1 million in state funding in the 2009-2010 school year.

Aliquippa School District operates two schools: Aliquippa Elementary School (K-6) and Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School (7-12). High school students may choose to attend Beaver County Career and Technology Center for training in the construction and mechanical trades. The Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit IU27 provides the District with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Governance

The Aliquippa School District is governed by nine 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 Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent regarding renewal of the employment contract.[8]

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.[9]

Academic achievement

In April 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report again identifying all Aliquippa School District schools as among the lowest-achieving schools for reading and mathematics in the state.[10]

In 2012 and 2013, Aliquippa Elementary School and Aliquippa Junior Senior High School were both among the 15% lowest-achieving schools in the Commonwealth. Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012.[11] The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.[12] Fifty-three public schools in Allegheny County are among the lowest-achieving schools in 2011. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight other public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District.[13] In 2014, Monessen City School District had all three of its schools added to the list. Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

Western Pennsylvania School District academic rankings

Aliquippa School District was ranked 100th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania School Districts in 2014, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and science.[14]

2013 – 101st 2012 – 101st[15] 2011 – 102nd[16] 2010 – 101st[17]

2009 – 102nd[18] 2008 – 101st[19] 2007 – 101st

Statewide Academic Honor Roll Ranking (496 school districts)

2014 – 486th[20] 2013 – 491st 2012 – 491st[21] 2011 – 493rd[22]

2010 – 489th[23] 2009 – 488th[24] 2008 – 487th 2007 – 490th of 501 school districts.[25]

Education Empowerment list

In 2002, Aliquippa School District was placed on the State's Empowerment School List due to chronic low student achievement in reading and mathematics. This brought state funded assistance in the form of training and additional funding of over $1,000,000. Preschool was provided for pupils by a private provider. Class size was reduced in the elementary school. Full day kindergarten was in place. After school programs were funded by the state and federal government. School safety officers were hired.[26]

Graduation rate

In 2013, Aliquippa School District reported a graduation rate of 83%.[27] In 2012, Aliquippa School District reported a graduation rate of 90%.[28] In 2011, Aliquippa School District reported a graduation rate of 85%.[29] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, four year cohort graduation rate. Aliquippa School District's rate was 76% for 2010.[30]

Traditional graduation rate:

• 2010 – 78%[31]
• 2009 – 83%[32]
• 2008 – 87%[33]
• 2007 – 87%[34]

In 2007 Johns Hopkins University reported that Aliquippa Senior High School was among 47 Pennsylvania schools and 1700 nationwide high schools with high dropout rates.[35]

High school

Aliquippa Junior Senior High School is located at 100 Harding Avenue, Aliquippa. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 485 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 88% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 18% of pupils received special education services, while 3.3% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 38 teachers.[36] Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 509 pupils in grades 7–12, with 385 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[37] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[38]

2013 School Performance Profile

Aliquippa Junior Senior High School achieved 50.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 39% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 45% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 21% showed on grade level science understanding. In 8th grade, 40% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[39] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.[40]

Western Pennsylvania school ranking

In 2014, Aliquippa Junior Senior High School was ranked 103rd out of 104 high schools in western Pennsylvania high schools, based on the last three years of student academic achievement in Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) in: reading, math, writing and science.[41] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County)[42] The School's eleventh grade ranked 109th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools for student academic achievement in 2009. The ranking was made by the Pittsburgh Business Times. It was based on three years of PSSA results on: reading, writing, math and one year of science.[43] The rankings include

In 2007 Johns Hopkins University listed Aliquippa High School among 47 Pennsylvania schools and 1700 nationwide high schools with high drop out rates.[44]

AYP history

In 2011 and 2012, Aliquippa Junior-Senior High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[45] In 2010, Aliquippa Junior Senior High School achieved Warning status.[46] In 2009, Aliquippa High School was in Corrective Action II 2nd Year due to chronic, low academic achievement of its students.[47][48]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 – 34% on grade level, (36% below basic). State – 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2011 – 40% (30% below basic). State – 69.1% [49]
• 2010 – 29%, (44% below basic). State – 66%[50]
• 2009 – 29%, State – 65%
• 2008 – 44%, State – 65%
• 2007 – 65%, State – 65%[51]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 – 29%, on grade level (54% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[52]
• 2011 – 28%, (53% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[53]
• 2010 – 13%, State – 59%[54]
• 2009 – 23%, State – 56%[55]
• 2008 – 33%, State – 56%[56]
• 2007 – 37%, State – 53%[57]

11th Grade Science

• 2012 – 4% on grade level (62% below basic). State – 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2011 – 5% (60% below basic). State – 40%
• 2010 – 1% (68% below basic). State – 39%
• 2009 – 10%, State – 40%
• 2008 – 26%, State – 39%[58]

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 47% of Aliquippa School District 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 schools or the community colleges.[59] 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.[60] 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

Aliquippa Junior Senior High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[61] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[62] For the 2009-10 funding year, Aliquippa School District received a state grant of $5,414 for the program.

SAT scores

In 2013, no data was provided for the outcomes of Aliquippa School District students.[63]

In 2012, 48 Aliquippa School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 395. The Math average score was 390. The Writing average score was 362. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the US, 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, 45 Aliquippa School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 371. The Math average score was 382. The Writing average score was 338.[64] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal – 493, Math – 501, Writing – 479.[65] 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.[66]

Junior high school

In 2009, Aliquippa School District built a new building that houses both a junior and senior high school. In 2009, Aliquippa Middle School was in Corrective Action II 2nd Year due to chronically low academic achievement of the students.[67]

Aliquippa Middle School was ranked 138th out of 141 Western Pennsylvania Middle Schools in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and science.[68]

PSSA results

Seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.[69] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.[70] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[71] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards – Mathematics.[72]

Eighth Grade

8th Grade Reading:

• 2012 – 57% on grade level (19% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[73]
• 2011 – 53% (22% below basic). State – 81.8%
• 2010 – 50% (23% below basic). State – 81%[74]
• 2009 – 57%, State – 80.9%[75]
• 2008 – 43%, State – 78%
• 2007 – 41%, State – 75%[76]

8th Grade Math:

• 2012 – 57% on grade level (25% below basic). State – 76% [77]
• 2011 – 45% (34.6% below basic). State – 76.9%
• 2010 – 26% (50% below basic), State – 75%[78]
• 2009 – 33%, State – 71%
• 2008 – 33%, State – 70%
• 2007 – 16%, State – 67%

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 – 12% on grade level (64% below basic). State – 59%[79]
• 2011 – 27% on grade level (57% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 – 10% (84% below basic). State – 57%[80]
• 2009 – 13%, State – 55%
• 2008 – 10%, State – 50%

7th Grade Reading 2012 – 56% (18% below basic). State – 76% 2011 – 48% on grade level (28% below basic). State – 76% 2010 – 44% (34% below basic). State – 73% 2009 – 25% (31% below basic), State – 71%

7th Grade Math: 2012 – 71% (13% below basic). State – 80% 2011 – 54% on grade level (23% below basic). State – 78.6% 2010 – 36% (38% below basic). State – 77% 2009 – 25% (36.7% below basic), State – 75%

Elementary school

Aliquippa Elementary School is located at 800 Twenty-First Street, Aliquippa. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 710 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 84% of pupils receiving federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 18% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.[81] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides half-day kindergarten.[82] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, enrollment was 711 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 648 pupils receiving a free or reduced-price lunch. The School employed 53 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.[83]

2013 School Performance Profile

Aliquippa Elementary School achieved a score of 55.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 40.5% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3 through 6. In 3rd grade, just 47% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 55.5% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 58.7% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 28.7% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[84]

Western Pennsylvania school ranking

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked Aliquippa Elementary School's ranked 102nd out of 105 western Pennsylvania elementary schools, based on the last three years of student academic achievement in Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) in: reading, math, writing and science.[85]

AYP history

In 2012, Aliquippa Elementary School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I AYP status.[86] In 2011, the School declined to School Improvement status due to chronic low student achievement. In 2010, Aliquippa Elementary School was in Warning status.[87] In 2011, the attendance rate was 93%.

PSSA Results

In the Spring of each school year, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Sixth graders are tested in math and reading. The PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which are administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3–8.[88] The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[89][90][91] The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.[92]

6th Grade Reading: 2012 – 55% (21% below basic). State – 68% 2011 – 47% on grade level (25% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.[93] 2010 – 48% (28% below basic). State – 68%[94] 2009 – 34% (32% below basic), State – 67%

6th Grade Math: 2012 – 73% (5% below basic). State – 77% 2011 – 75% on grade level (10% below basic). State – 78.8%[95] 2010 – 65% (10% below basic). State – 78%[96] 2009 – 48% (30% below basic), State – 75%[97]

5th Grade Reading: 2012 – 38% on grade level (33% below basic). State – 65% 2011 – 34% (38% below basic). State – 67.3% 2010 – 37% (29% below basic). State – 64% 2009 – 25% (42% below basic), State – 64%

5th Grade Math: 2012 – 60% (18% below basic). State – 73% 2011 – 60% (19.8% below basic). State – 74% 2010 – 58% (10% below basic). State – 76.3% 2009 – 47% (21% below basic), State – 73%

4th Grade Reading 2012 – 45% (36% below basic). State – 72% 2011 – 46% (33% below basic), State – 73.3% 2010 – 53% (22% below basic), State – 73% 2009 – 60% (17% below basic), State – 72%

4th Grade Math 2012 – 67% (20% below basic). State – 82% 2011 – 72% (12% below basic), State – 85.3% 2010 – 79% (11% below basic), State – 84% 2009 – 85% (6% below basic), State – 81%

4th Grade Science

• 2012 – 70%, (18% below basic). State – 82%
• 2011 – 65%, (7% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 – 66%, (18% below basic), State – 81%
• 2009 – 79%, (2% below basic), State – 83%

3rd Grade Reading 2012 – 59%, (22% below basic). State – 74% [73] 2011 – 44%, (33% below basic), State – 77.2% 2010 – 54%, (23% below basic), State – 75% 2009 – 54%, (25% below basic), State – 77%

3rd Grade Math 2012 – 77%, (8% below basic). State – 80% 2011 – 52%, (21% below basic), State – 83.5% 2010 – 70%, (4% below basic), State – 84% 2009 – 72%, (7% below basic), State – 81%

Preschool

Beaver County Head Start has partnered with Aliquippa School District to provide Head Start and Early intervention programming to resident children (ages of 3 and 5 years) for 5 days a week, five hours a day.

Special education

In December 2012, Aliquippa School District administration reported that 237 pupils or 19.7% of the District's pupils received Special Education services, with 34% having specific learning disabilities.[98] In December 2010, the district administration reported that 246 pupils or 20% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[99] In December 2009, Aliquippa School District administration reported that 231 pupils or 20.3% of the district's pupils received special education services.[100] In 2005, Aliquippa School District administration reported that 257 pupils or 18.7% of the district's pupils received special education services, with 27% having a specific learning disability.[101]

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.[102] 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.[103][104]

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.[105] 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.[106] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[107] Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts, like Aliquippa School District, have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.[108] The state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[109] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.[110]

Aliquippa School District received a $1,074,119 supplement for special education services in 2010.[111] For the 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-2011. 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.[112][113] For the 2014-2015 school year, Aliquippa School District will receive an increase to $1,097,913 from the Commonwealth for special education funding.[114] Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.

Gifted education

Aliquippa School District Administration reported that 21 or 1% of its students were gifted in 2009. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted.[115] 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.[116][117]

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.[118]

In 2013, the average teacher salary in Aliquippa School District was $57,382 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $22,159 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $79,541.[119] In 2013, the District employed 137 teachers and administrators, with an average salary of $59,533 and a top salary of $119,600.[120]

Aliquippa School District teacher and administrator retirement benefits are equal to at least 2.00% x Final Average Salary x Total Credited Service. (Some teachers benefits utilize a 2.50% benefit factor.)[121] After 40 years of service, a teacher can retire with 100% of the average salary of their final 3 years of employment. According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.[122]

In 2011-12, Aliquippa School District reported employing 121 teachers and administrators with an average salary of $57,389 and a top salary of $115,000.[123] The teacher's work day is 7.5 hours, including a daily Preparation period and a paid 30-minute lunch. There 187 days in the contract year, with 180 student days. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 12 paid sick days a year, 5 paid bereavement days, and other benefits. The Union receives 10 paid days off to conduct union business.[124]

In 2007, the Aliquippa School District employed 115 teachers. The average teacher salary in the District was $50,236 for 180 days worked.[125]

Administration costs

Aliquippa School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $1126 per pupil. The district ranked 34th of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts for administrative costs. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[126] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007–08 school year was $122,165.[127] Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.

Per pupil spending

In 2008, Aliquippa School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $17,687 which ranked 26th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010 the per pupil spending had decreased to $16,701.33[128] Among the states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[129] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[130]

Reserves – In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,248,657.00.[131] In 2010, Aliquippa School Administration reported $336,414 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. 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.[132]

Audit

In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The audit found that one teacher was assigned to a position without proper certification. Information pertaining to the questionable certificates was submitted to the PDE's Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.[133] A state audit done in 2013 found that the District had a $928,556 General Fund Deficit.[134]

Tuition Students who live in the 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 Aliquippa School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School – $9,496.09, High School – $10,724.43.[135]

Aliquippa School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes.[136] In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.[137]

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Aliquippa School District receives 62% of its annual revenue from the state.[138]

For the 2014–15 school year, Aliquippa School District will receive $8,081,725 in State Basic Education funding. The District will also receive $256,585 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State's enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014–15 Basic Education Funding.[139] The Education budget also includes Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system (PSERS). In total, Pennsylvania's Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013–14 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.[140]

In the 2013–14 school year, the Aliquippa School District received a 1.3% increase or $8,081,725 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $100,856 more than its 2012–13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Aliquippa School District received $150,151 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Beaver County, Midland Borough School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 10.2%. The District had the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth's budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding.[141] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent.[142] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[143]

For the 2012–13 school year, Aliquippa School District received $7,977,273.[144] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012–13 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011–12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program. Aliquippa School District received $150,151 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[145] This amount was a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010–11 school year.

In the 2011-2012 school year, Aliquippa School District received $7,977,273 in state Basic Education Funding.[146][147] Additionally, the district received $150,154 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 2010–11.[148] 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.[149] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 887 students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income, in the 2010–11 school year.[150]

For the 2010-2011 school year, Aliquippa School District received a 2.04% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $8,303,126 payment.[151] Midland Borough School District received a 7.57% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Beaver County. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-2011. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by then Governor Edward Rendell and the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education, Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[152]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided Aliquippa School District a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $8,136,818. Four Beaver County school districts received increases of over 4% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Big Beaver Falls Area School District received a 5.26% increase. The majority of Beaver County districts received a 2% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.[153] The amount of increase each school district receives was determined by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[154]

The state's Basic Education Funding to the Aliquippa School District in 2008–09 was $7,977,272.79. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 887 district students received free or reduced- price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–08 school year.[155] 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.[156][157]

All Pennsylvania school districts also receive additional funding from the state through several other funding allocations, including Reimbursement of Charter School Expenditures; Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; PA Accountability Grants; and low achieving schools were eligible for Educational Assistance Program Funding. Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including: Special Education funding and Title I funding for children from low income families. In 2010, Pennsylvania spent over $24 billion for public education – local, state and federal dollars combined.[158]

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004–05, 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, Aliquippa School District applied for and received $407,557 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the 7th year and for extensive teacher training programs.[159][160]

Ready to Learn grant

Beginning in the 2014–15 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the number of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the Districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.[161]

Aliquippa School District will receive $256,585 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, Accountability Block Grant funding, PreK Counts funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math), along with other specialized equipment and provided funding for teacher training to optimize the use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. Aliquippa School District did not apply for funding in 2006–07. The Aliquippa School District received $83,935 in 2007–08 and was given $45,413 for the 2008–09 school year.[162] Among the public school districts in Allegheny County the highest award was given to Freedom Area School District which received $476,723. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County – $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

Education Assistance grant

Aliquippa School Administration applied for the state's Education Assistance Grant. Aliquippa School District received $134,120. The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code.[163][164]

Literacy grant

Aliquippa School District was awarded a $1 million competitive literacy grant. It is to be used to improve reading skills kindergarten through 12th grade. The district was required to develop a lengthy plan which included outreach into the community. The funds come from a Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, also referred to as the Keystones to Opportunity grant It is a five-year, competitive federal grant program designed to assist local education agencies in developing and implementing local comprehensive literacy plans. Of the 329 pre-applications by school districts reviewed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Aliquippa School District was one of only 148 entities that were invited to submit a full application.[165] The funds must be used for teacher training, student screening and assessment, targeted interventions for students reading below grade level and research-based methods of improving classroom instruction and practice. Pennsylvania was among six other states, out of the 35 that applied, to be awarded funding. Pennsylvania received $38 million through the federal program. The Department of Education reserved 5% of the grant for administration costs at the state level.

Other grants

Aliquippa School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants;[166][167] PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell);[168] 2013 Resource Officer grants; 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants[169] nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

Aliquippa School District received an extra $1,716,512 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[170] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010–11 school years.[171] 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

Aliquippa School District officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant. The district is identified as a turnaround district due to the chronically low academic achievement of its students. When approved for the grant, the district will receive hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Turnaround status also brings an extra $700 per student, in supplemental funding above the basic grant amount.[172] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[173] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[174] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[175]

Common Cents state initiative

The Aliquippa School District School Board chose to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[176] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The Aliquippa School Board set property tax rates, in 2014–15, at 34.00 mills for buildings and 218.00 mills for land.[177] 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. 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. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75 and 85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[178] When a Pennsylvania public school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.[179] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.[180]

2013-14 – 33.8500 mills for buildings and 212.00 mills for land.[181] 2012-13 – 33.0000 mills for buildings and 207.00 mills for land. 2011-12 – 32.5000 mills for buildings and 202.00 mills for land.[182] 2010-11 – 32.0000 mills for buildings and 198.0000 mills for land.[183]

2009-10 – 31.0000 mills for buildings and 195.0000 mills for land.[184] 2008-09 – 29.5000 mills for buildings and 188.0000 mills for land.[185] 2007-08 – 28.0000 mills for buildings and 177.0000 mills for land.[186]

The average yearly property tax paid by Beaver County residents amounts to about 3.49% of their yearly income. Beaver County ranked 375th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[187] 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.[188] 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%).[189]

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise taxes above that index, unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The base index for the 2011–12 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.[190] With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.[191]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Aliquippa School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[192]

2006-07 – 5.8%, Base 3.9% 2007-08 – 5.1%, Base 3.4% 2008-09 – 6.6%, Base 4.4% 2009-10 – 6.2%, Base 4.1% 2010-11 – 4.4%, Base 2.9%

2011-12 – 2.1%, Base 1.4% 2012-13 – 2.6%, Base 1.7% 2013-14 – 2.6%, Base 1.7% [193] 2014-15 – 2.7%, Base 2.1% [194] 2015-16 – 2.9%, Base 1.9%[195]

For the 2014–15 budget year, Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2014–15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).[196] For the school budget 2014–15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.[197]

For the 2013–14 budget year, Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2013–14, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 16.93% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS). For the school budget year 2013–14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[198]

For the 2012–13 budget year, Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. In 2012–13, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 12.36% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS). For 2012–13 budget year, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; while 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.[199]

For the 2011–12 school year, Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Aliquippa School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[200] According to a state report, for the 2011–12 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.[201]

Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 nor in 2010–11.[202][203] 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.[204]

Property tax relief

In 2010, the relief was set at $356 for 2,101 approved homesteads and farmsteads.[205] This was the highest relief provided among Beaver County school districts. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Aliquippa School District was $357 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,100 property owners applied for the tax relief. The highest property tax relief, among Pennsylvania school districts, went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[206] The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres (40,000 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Beaver County, 64% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[207]

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, so that people with income of far more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania, ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).[208]

Wellness policy

Aliquippa School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 – Policy 246.[209] 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 Superintendent is required to report annually to the Board regarding this policy and the associated issues.

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 and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, 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.[210]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Extracurriculars

The students have access to a wide variety of clubs, activities, and sports. The Aliquippa School Board determines eligibility policies to participate in these programs.[211]

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.[212]

History

The present Aliquippa School District, originally the Woodlawn School District, was organized on June 7, 1909. The borough of Woodlawn was incorporated from Hopewell Township in 1908. Its population drawn to the area by the establishment of the Aliquippa Works of Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation along the Ohio River.

According to historian Ivagean Ferry, from whose "Brief History of Education in Aliquippa" much of the information in this account has been taken, two districts had been in operation in the area – the Logstown Independent District and the Aliquippa School District. In 1928 Aliquippa was renamed West Aliquippa when it consolidated with the town of Woodlawn, the larger borough, which at that time took the Indian name of Aliquippa."

The Woodlawn District in 1909 elected its first Board of School Directors: H. J. Johns, president; John T. Bell, secretary; W. G. Cochran (a non-member), treasurer; and members, C. H. Dinsmore, G. Walter Prosser, G. W. Gray, and J. H. Robb.

The challenge to the district, headed by Calvin Springer, was finding classrooms for its 225 pupils. They were housed in the Woodlawn Academy, the old Logstown School, and a room in the Dinsmore house on Hopewell Avenue. The ten-room Highland School was the first neighborhood school erected. In 1911 the eight-room Logstown School was constructed. Woodlawn High School, a two-story building of twelve rooms, opened in 1913. Laughlin School was built in 1917; Jones School was erected in 1919 by that time the student population was 2,000.

The first high school students of Woodlawn had been housed in elementary schools or sent to Beaver for senior classes and graduation. In 1913 the first senior class was graduated from the Logstown Building and the first class to be graduated from Woodlawn High School was the class of 1914.

In 1921, Woodlawn withdrew from Beaver County supervision and became an independent district, headed by Superintendent 0. H. Locke.

Less than ten years after the construction of Woodlawn High School, a new high school was erected on a hilltop overlooking Franklin Avenue. With its 34 classrooms, laboratories and offices, the high school was completed in 1925. A second building phase followed: the construction of a gymnasium-auditorium and the first part of a vocational shop on the hill above the school. Named Harding High School, in 1930 it was renamed the Aliquippa High School which would serve the community for more than 80 years until its closure in 2009 and subsequent demolition a year later.

In 1925 Aliquippa Borough annexed neighboring New Sheffield from Hopewell Township. Spaulding School, which had been newly built by the Hopewell Township School District, was transferred to the possession of the Aliquippa School District. The ten-room New Sheffield School was constructed in 1931 and still serves the community today. At the other end of the town, the McDonald School was built in 1940.

The school population had grown to 6,600 students by 1929. Because the district could not provide new schools immediately, in 1928, all-year-round school was the district's answer to the problem. As Mrs. Ferry explains, the all-year-round plan "set up four quarters of twelve weeks each ... The distribution of enrollment was made so that three-fourths of the children were in school and one-fourth on vacation each quarter."

In 1958 a new junior high school was built with a capacity of 1,200 which allowed the district to relocate all junior high students out of the elementary schools while also moving students out of the aging Franklin Junior High School (originally Woodlawn High School).

With the sixties came serious challenges. Late in the decade, racial unrest led to upheavals in the junior and senior high schools and to the temporary closing of the schools in 1970. A comprehensive survey of the community and its schools was made and the district set up a study team of members of the National Education Association and the state and Pittsburgh chapters of the N.A.A.C.P., which met with the city's bi-racial Human Relations Committee to try to find solutions. Lawrence M. Maravich, elected superintendent in 1966, reported on policies being put into practice to promote equality of opportunity. It was found imperative to put the child first, not the curriculum. To desegregate the schools, Aliquippa changed its organizational structure and grouped classes into three units: for elementary school, K–4, for middle school, 5–8, for high school, 9–12. The Highland, Logstown, Jones, Laughlin, Spaulding and Franklin elementary schools were all closed and its students were sent to New Sheffield School which became the districts only elementary school.

Rather unexpectedly, in the eighties came the collapse of the industry that had created and nourished the community. LTV Steel, the successor to the Jones and Laughlin Steel Company which built Aliquippa, closed most of the Aliquippa Works in 1984 which saw over 5,000 workers lose their jobs. The school district suffered devastating effects including the loss of most of its tax base, declining enrollment, increased poverty and significant cuts to programs and curriculum due to budget cuts. From a peak of 6,600 in the early 1930s enrollment declined to 1,779 in 1987. In an effort to cut costs and consolidate students the less than 30-year-old junior high school was closed, grades 5 and 6 were relocated to the elementary school and grades 7 and 8 were sent to the high school. This lasted less than a decade when due to overcrowding the junior high was reopened in the mid 1990s and was renamed Aliquippa Middle School.

The district continued to face problems into the 2000s as enrollment and tax revenue declined further and the district's facilities continued to age. The high school, in particular, had been slowly deteriorating for years and had gotten to a point where portions of the building had to be closed off to protect students. Beginning in the 2007-08 school year a massive remodeling and renovation project was begun at the elementary and middle schools and grades were once again realigned with grades kindergarten thru 6th being moved to Aliquippa Elementary and 7th thru 12th being moved to middle school which would become the new Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School. The old high school, which served the community for 85 years and had become a symbol for Aliquippeans for decades, was closed with the Class of 2009 being the last to graduate from the building.

External links

• Aliquippa School District

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