Commodore Perry School District

The Commodore Perry School District is a diminutive, rural public school district serving parts of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The District encompasses the communities of Sheakleyville, Deer Creek Township, Sandy Creek Township, Salem Township, Otter Creek Township, and Perry Township. Commodore Perry School District encompasses approximately 74 square miles (190 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, it served a resident population of 4,328. By 2010, the District's population was 4,232 people.[4] In 2009 the Commodore Perry School District residents' per capita income was $16,448, while the median family income was $40,453.

Commodore Perry School District
Commodore Perry School District located in northern Mercer County
Address
3002 Perry Highway

Mercer County
,
Pennsylvania
,
Hadley
16103-2628

United States
Information
TypePublic
SuperintendentMrs.Zippi (Current) 2018
School number724-253-3255
AdministratorMrs Robin S Johnson, Business Manager
PrincipalMrs. Michelle Young, ES
PrincipalMr. Jeff Keeling, HS
Staff18 non-teaching staff
Faculty45 teachers[1]
GradesK-12
Age5 years old to 21 special education students
Number of pupils507 pupils (2012), 527 pupils (2011), 557 pupils (2010)[2]
 • Kindergarten17
 • Grade 133
 • Grade 243
 • Grade 344
 • Grade 431
 • Grade 552
 • Grade 628
 • Grade 746
 • Grade 839
 • Grade 939
 • Grade 1054
 • Grade 1141
 • Grade 1260
 • OtherEnrollment is projected to decline to 400 pupils in 2016
Student to teacher ratioPupil to teacher: 11 to 1 (2011)
MascotPanthers
Budget$8.23 million (2010-11)

$8,083,440 (2008-09)
$7,707,900 (2007-08)

$7,532,870 (2006-07)[3]
Per Pupil Spending$10,808 (2008)
Per Pupil Spending$17,485.89 (ranks 42nd in PA)
Websitewww.cppanthers.org

Per District officials, in school year 2007-08 the Commodore Perry School District provided basic educational services to 613 pupils. In 2010, Commodore Perry School District's enrollment declined to 557 pupils, placing it among the smallest enrollments of a public school district, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Commodore Perry School District employed 49 teachers, 17 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 3 administrators in 2008. Commodore Perry School District received more than $5 million in state funding in school year 2007-08. In school year 2009-10, the Commodore Perry School District provided basic educational services to 574 pupils. The District employed: 49 teachers, 13 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 5 administrators. Commodore Perry School District received more than $5.1 million in state funding for school year 2009-10.

Commodore Perry School District operates two small schools: Commodore Perry School, an elementary school; and Commodore Perry Junior Senior High School, a combined junior/senior high school.

Governance

Commodore Perry 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.[5] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[6]

Academic achievement

The Commodore Perry School District was ranked 223rd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts for student academic achievement by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2013. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: mathematics, reading, writing and science.[7] 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 - 221st
  • 2011 - 246th
  • 2010 - 234th [8]
  • 2009 - 247th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts
  • 2008 - 257th[9]
  • 2007 - 296th out of 501 school districts.[10]
Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Commodore Perry School District ranked 73rd. In 2011, the District ranked 62nd. [11] The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[12]

In 2009, the academic achievement of students in the Commodore Perry School District was in the 63rd percentile of 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)[13]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Commodore Perry School District declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in reading and mathematics.[14] In 2011, Commodore Perry School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94% 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% of Pennsylvania public school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2% on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.[15] Commodore Perry School District achieved AYP status each year from 2003 to 2010.[16]

Graduation rate

In 2012, Commodore Perry School District's graduation rate was 96%.[17] In 2011, the graduation rate was 96.46%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Commodore Perry School District's rate was 100% for 2010.[18]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

High school

Commodore Perry Junior Senior High School is located at 3002 Perry Highway, Hadley. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 279 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 109 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 22 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.[23] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 6 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[24]

In 2012, Commodore Perry Junior Senior High School declined to Warning AYP Status due to lagging student achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2009 through 2012, Commodore Perry Junior Senior High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Status.[25]

PSSAs
11th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 76% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[26]
  • 2011 - 77% (14% below basic). State - 69.1%[27]
  • 2010 - 67% (17% below basic). State - 66%[28]
  • 2009 - 65% (15% below basic), State - 65%[29]
  • 2008 - 63% (25% below basic), State - 65%[30]
  • 2007 - 80% (3% below basic), State - 65%[31]
11th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 59% on grade level (12% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
  • 2011 - 56% (14% below basic). State - 60.3%[33]
  • 2010 - 50% (33% below basic). State - 59%[34]
  • 2009 - 56% (15% below basic). State - 56%[35]
  • 2008 - 52% (23% below basic). State - 56%
  • 2007 - 63% (8% below basic). State - 53%
11th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 54% on grade level (8% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[36]
  • 2011 - 42% (7% below basic). State - 40%[37]
  • 2010 - 48% (13% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 33% (6% below basic). State - 40%[38]
  • 2008 - 48% (9% below basic). State - 39%

Science in Motion Commodore Perry Junior Senior High School did not take advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.[39] Westminster College provided the enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College Remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 14% of the Commodore Perry 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.[40] 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.[41] 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

Commodore Perry 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.[42] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[43] The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.[44]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $4,859 for the program.[45]

Graduation requirements

Commodore Perry School Board has determined that a student must earn 23 credits in order to graduate.[46]

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.[47] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[48]

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.[49] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade. Students have several opportunities to pass the exam, with those who do not able to perform a project in order to graduate.[50][51] 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.[52] 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.[53] 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.

SAT scores

In 2012, 27 Commodore Perry School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 491 The Math average score was 467. The Writing average score was 470. 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, 35 Commodore Perry School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 462. The Math average score was 484. The Writing average score was 429.[54] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[55] 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.[56]

8th Grade

8th Grade Reading

  • 2012 - 76% on grade level (5% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[32]
  • 2011 - 71% (15% below basic) State - 81.8%
  • 2010 - 84%, Boys - 79%/Girls-88%, (7% below basic). State - 81%
  • 2009 - 84%, Boys - 81%/Girls-88%, (4% below basic). State - 80%
  • 2008 - 92% (0% below basic), State - 78% [57]
  • 2007 - 73% (0% below basic), State - 75%

8th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 73% on grade level (7% below basic). State - 76%
  • 2011 - 73% (24% below basic). State - 76.9%
  • 2010 - 56%, Boys 63%/Girls 50%, (21% below basic). State - 75%[58]
  • 2009 - 68%, Boys 62%/Girls 75%, (14% below basic). State - 71% [59]
  • 2008 - 65% (12% below basic), State - 70%
  • 2007 - 63% (13% below basic), State - 68%

8th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 71% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2011 - 56% (24% below basic). State – 58.3%
  • 2010 - 70%, Boys - 74%/Girls-67%, (14% below basic). State - 57%
  • 2009 - 70%, Boys - 69%/Girls-71%, (14% below basic), State - 55% [60]
  • 2008 - 53%, State - 52% [61]

7th Grade
7th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 83% (10% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2011 - 80% (9% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2010 - 68%, Boys 67%/Girls 70%, (15% below basic). State - 73% [62]
  • 2009 - 84%, Boys 81%/Girls 87%, (11% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2008 - 70%, (11% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - 73%, (0% below basic). State - 67%
7th Grade Math:
  • 2012 - 77% (3% below basic). State - 80%
  • 2011 - 82% (11% below basic). State - 78.6%
  • 2010 - 63%, Boys 72%/Girls-57%, (20% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2009 - 68%, Boys 71%/Girls-65%, (11% below basic). State - 75%
  • 2008 - 60%, (25% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2007 - 60%, (13% below basic). State - 67%

Elementary school

Commodore Perry School is located at 3002 Perry Highway, Hadley. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 248 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 114 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 23 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 10:1.[63] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[64]

In 2009 through 2012, Commodore Perry School achieved AYP status each year.[65]

4th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 100%, 67% advanced. State - 82%
  • 2011 - 92%, 82% advanced. State - 82.9%
  • 2010 - 100%, (0% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2009 - 100%, (0% below basic), State - 83%
  • 2008 - 96%, (7% below basic), State - 81%

Special education

In December 2011, Commodore Perry School District Administration reported that 101 pupils or 19.5% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 24.8% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In 2009, the District administration reported that 101 pupils or 18% of the District's pupils received Special Education services.[72][73]

The Commodore Perry School District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.[74]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for special education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.[75][76] The Special Education funding structure is through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and state appropriations. IDEA funds are appropriated to the state on an annual basis and distributed through intermediate units (IUs) to school districts, while state funds are distributed directly to the districts. Total funds that are received by school districts are calculated through a formula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversees four appropriations used to fund students with special needs: Special Education; Approved Private Schools; Pennsylvania Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Early Intervention. 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.[77] Over identification 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.[78] 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.[79] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.[80]

Commodore Perry School District received a $378,698 supplement for special education services in 2010.[81] For the 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2013–14 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[82]

Gifted education

Commodore Perry School District Administration reported that 11 or 1.97% of its students were identified as gifted in 2009.[83] 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.[84]

Bullying policy and school safety

In 2010, the Commodore Perry School District Administration reported there were 9 incidents of bullying in the district.[85][86]

The Commodore Perry School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. The policy 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.[87] 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.[88] 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.[89]

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.[90]

Enrollment and Consolidation

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, there are fewer than 557 students enrolled in K-12 in 2009. There were 54 students in the Class of 2010. The district's class of 2009 has 56 students. Enrollment in the Commodore Perry School District is projected, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to continue to decline to 400 pupils K-12 total enrollment, by 2020.[91] Commodore Perry School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $921 per pupil. This is ranked 93rd among in the 500 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[92]

A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was at least 3000 pupils.[93] Consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in both communities.[94] According to a proposal made in 2009, by Governor Edward G. Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to substantially reduce property taxes.[95] Consolidation of two districts' central administrations into one would not require the closing of any local schools.

In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion without forcing the consolidation of any school buildings.[96] The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration.[97]

More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania have been experiencing significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).[98]

Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[99] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[100]

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.[101]

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Commodore Perry School District was $56,635 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $21,837 per employee (among the highest in the Commonwealth's public schools), for a total annual average teacher compensation of $78,472.[102]

In 2009, the district employed 55 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,799. The beginning salary was $35,000, while the highest salary was $93,520.[103] Teachers work a 7-hour day 25 minutes with one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch included. Additionally, the teachers received a defined benefit pension, health insurance (employee contributes $50 per month), professional development reimbursement of 80% of costs, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, 4 paid bereavement leave days and many other benefits. The district offers an extensive retirement/longevity package which includes payment for unused sick days accumulated in Commodore Perry SD and a retirement stipend equal to one hundred and fifty dollars times the number of years of service in the district. The union gets five paid days to conduct union business, including travel outside the district.[104] According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[105][106]

In 2007, the Commodore Perry School District employed 48 teachers working 186 days with 180 days of pupil instruction. The average teacher salary in the district was $54,548. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977.[107] 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.[108]

Per pupil spending In 2008, per pupil spending at Commodore Perry School District was ranked 49th in the state at $10,806 for each child.[109] By 2011, the Districts per pupil spending had risen to $17,485.89 ranking 52nd among Pennsylvania's public school districts.[110] In 2011, Pennsylvania's per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States.[111] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.[112] The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[113]

Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[114] Pennsylvania's total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.[115]

Reserves In 2008, the Commodore Perry School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,081,354.[116] In 2013, the District reported having $4,411,991 in reserves. Of that $1,439,267 in unreserved accounts. Pennsylvania public 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.[117] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.[118]

Audit In July 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the Commodore Perry School District. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration.[119] In January 2012, the District was audited again. The findings regarding school bus drivers were posted online and reported to the school board.[120]

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 Commodore Area 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 Commodore Perry School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $9,709.46, High School - $9,619.13.[121]

Commodore Perry School District is funded by a combination of: a local tax on income 0.5%, 2 per capita taxes of $5 each, an Occupation Privilege tax $10, 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. Interest earnings on 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 the individual's personal wealth.[122] The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both are free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.[123]

State basic education funding

For the 2013-14 school year, the Commodore Perry School District will receive a 1% increase or $3,730,684 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $35,136 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Commodore Perry School District will receive $46,353 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for its special education services. Among the public school districts in County, School District received the highest percentage increase at 3.2%. The District has 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.[124] The state funded the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[125]

For the 2012-13 school year, the Commodore Perry School District received $3,695,548.[126] 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 (ABG) program. Commodore Perry School District will also receive $46,353 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for its special education services. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[127] 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 2011-12, Commodore Perry School District received $3,695,548 in state Basic Education Funding.[128] Additionally, the district will receive $46,353 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 was a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.[129] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District of Allegheny County, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.[130] In 2010, the district reported that 882 students received free or reduced price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[131]

For the 2010-11 budget year, Commodore Perry School District received a 2.70% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $3,941,660. In Mercer County, the highest increase went to Greenville Area School District which received a 7.54% increase in state funding. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.[132] Fifteen (15) Pennsylvania public school districts received a BEF increase of greater than 10%. 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 received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some public school districts at a far greater rate than others.[133]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.85% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $3,837,999. Three county school districts received increases of over 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Sharon City School District received a 7.59% increase. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Commodore Perry School District in 2008-09 was $3,695,547.98.[134] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by then Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education, Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[135]

The state Basic Education Funding to the District in 2008-09 was $3,695,547.98. In 2008, Commodore Perry School District reported that 206 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level. 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.[136][137]

Accountability Block Grant

The state provides supplemental funding in the form of accountability block grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses. Commodore Perry School District uses its $125,813 to fund all-day kindergarten. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding.[138] The 2008-09 school year was the fifth year the district offered all-day kindergarten to its pupils. Pennsylvania public school districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants.[139] In 2009-10 the state provided $271.4 million in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all-day kindergartens.[140]

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 2006-2009. Commodore Perry School District did not apply for funding in any of the three years of the program. It was one of 50 school districts that never applied for funding.[141] Among the public school districts in Mercer County the highest award was given to Greenville Area School District which received $344,743. 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.

Other grants

Commodore Perry School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell), Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

Commodore Perry School District received an extra $901,520 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[142] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[143] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one time expenditures like: acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top Grant

Commodore Perry School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over one half million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[144] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[145] In Pennsylvania, just 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[146] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[147]

Common Cents state initiative

Commodore Perry School Board elected to 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.[148] Multiple examples of ways the district could reduce costs were identified for the school board. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes. Through analysis of the data, the team identified several potential cost-savings opportunities for the District, which included: establish shared services for major utility purchasing; develop shared services for Food Service Management; and establish a shared services center for technology purchasing.[149]

Real estate taxes

The Commodore Perry School Board sets property tax rates in the spring of each year as a part of its annual budget process which must be completed by June 30. 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. 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.[150] 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 all government property (local, state and federal). Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. 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.[151] 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.[152]

The average yearly property tax paid by Mercer County residents amounts to about 2.88% of their yearly income. Mercer County ranked 672nd out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[161] 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.[162] 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%).[163]

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 2010-2011 school year is 2.9 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.[164]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Commodore Perry School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[165]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Commodore Perry School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. 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 exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[168]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Commodore Perry 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.[169]

For the 2011-12 school year the Commodore Perry School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Commodore Perry 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.[170]

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.[171]

For the 2010-11 school year budget, the Commodore Perry School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index.[172] 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.[173]

Property tax relief

In 2010, Commodore Perry School District property tax relief was set at $133 for 1,357 approved properties.[174] 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.[175]

In Pennsylvania, the homestead exclusion reduces the assessed values of homestead properties, reducing the property tax on these homes. The homestead exclusion allows homeowners real property tax relief of up to one half of the median assessed value of homesteads in the taxing jurisdiction (county, school district, city, borough, or township).[176]

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 people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.[177]

Wellness policy

Commodore Perry School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006.[178] 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." Most public school districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[179]

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

Commodore Perry School District offers a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.[181] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[182]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.[183] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of the lunch.[184]

Commodore Perry School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health's extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.[185]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of club activities and an extensive sports program. Eligibility to participate is set through school board policy.[186][187]

Activities offered include: Academic Decathlon, FBLA, Foreign Language, Panther Broadcasting, Yearbook, Band and Chorus. Sports offered include: Baseball, Basketball Boys Sr. High and Girls Sr. High, Basketball Boys Jr. High and Girls Jr. High, Soccer, and Volleyball.

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.[188][189]

Sports

The District funds:

Junior High School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2013 [190]

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gollark: I use block sparse attention myself.
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gollark: I suggested this ages ago.
gollark: The API doesn't have to do that.

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