Crestwood School District (Pennsylvania)

The Crestwood School District is a midsized, suburban public school district which serves the Boroughs of Nuangola, Penn Lake Park and White Haven and Dennison Township, Dorrance Township, Fairview Township, Rice Township, Slocum Township and Wright Township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Crestwood School District encompasses approximately 100 square miles (260 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 18,299. Per school district officials, in school year 2007-08 the Crestwood School District provided basic educational services to 3,144 pupils through the employment of 179 teachers, 122 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 13 administrators. In school year 2009-10 the Crestwood School District's enrollment declined to 3,021 pupils. It employed: 180 teachers, 121 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 14 administrators. Crestwood School District received more than $11.9 million in state funding in school year 2009-10.

Crestwood School District
Address
281 South Mountain Boulevard

Mountain Top
,
Luzerne County
,
Pennsylvania
18707

United States
Information
TypePublic
School board9 locally elected members
SuperintendentJoseph Gorham
Faculty180 teachers (2011) [1]
GradesK-12
Number of pupils3038 pupils in 2010 [2]
 • Kindergarten215
 • Grade 1200
 • Grade 2207
 • Grade 3211
 • Grade 4224
 • Grade 5212
 • Grade 6236
 • Grade 7226
 • Grade 8243
 • Grade 9263
 • Grade 10282
 • Grade 11252
 • Grade 12267
 • OtherEnrollment projected to be 3029 by 2020[3]
MascotComets
Budget$33.2 million in 2010-11
Tuitionfor nonresident and charter school students ES - $7,445.37, HS -$6,282.13 [4]
Websitehttp://csdcomets.org/

In 2009, the district's per capita income was $21,944 while the median family income was $56,503.[5] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 [6] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[7]

The district operates: Crestwood High School, Crestwood Middle School, Fairview Elementary School and Rice Elementary School.

Governance

The 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.[8] 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.[9]

Academic achievement

Crestwood School District was ranked 154th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2012. by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on the last three years of PSSAs for: reading, writing, math and science.

  • 2011 - 162nd[10]
  • 2010 - 136th[11]
  • 2009 - 152nd
  • 2008 - 159th
  • 2007 - 122nd out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts.[12]

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Crestwood School District ranked 389th. In 2011, the district was 381st. [13] 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."[14]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the pupils in the district was in the 72nd percentile among Pennsylvanian's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)[15]

Graduation rate

In 2011, Crestwood School District's graduation rate was 97% [16] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Crestwood High School's rate was 93% for 2010.[17]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

Graduation requirements

The Crestwood School Board has determined that a student must successfully complete 23 credits which include: 4 credits of English, 4 credits of Social Studies, 4 credits of Mathematics, 4 credits of Science, 2 credits of Arts & Humanities, 2 credits of World Language, 2 credits of electives and 1 credit Health/Physical Education.[21]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a graduation 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.[22] At Crestwood High School the project consists of: a research paper and an oral presentation.[23]

Beginning with the class of 2016, by Pennsylvania school regulations, students must take the Keystone Exams in Literature, Biology 1 and Algebra 1.[24]

High school

Crestwood High School is located at 281 South Mountain Blvd, Mountain Top. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 1,062 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 194 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 52 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 20:1.[25] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 10 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[26]

In 2010 and 2011, Crestwood High School achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind.[27]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 71% on grade level, (13% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[28]
  • 2010 - 67% (17% below basic). State - 66% [29]
  • 2009 - 71% (14% below basic), State - 65%[30]
  • 2008 - 72% (12% below basic), State - 65%
  • 2007 - 66% (15% below basic), State - 65%[31]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 59% on grade level (21% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
  • 2010 - 55% (24% below basic). State - 59% [33]
  • 2009 - 53% (22% below basic), State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 61% (24% below basic), State - 56%
  • 2007 - 49% (26% below basic), State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 46% on grade level (10% below basic). State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 40% (15% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 45%, State - 40%[34]
  • 2008 - 40%, State - 39%

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 19% of Crestwood 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.[35] 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.[36] 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

The high school offers a dual enrollment program. This state-funded 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.[37] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[38] 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.[39]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $32,644 for its dual enrollment program.[40]

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 170 students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 503. The Math average score was 516. The Writing average score was 495.[41] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[42] 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.[43]

Middle school

Crestwood Middle School is located at 281 S Mountain Blvd, Mountaintop. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 469 pupils in grades 7th and 8th, with 102 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 30 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 16:1.[44] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 10 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[45]

In 2011, Crestwood Middle School achieved AYP status.[46] The school was in School Improvement I level AYP Status in 2009 and 2010.[47] In 2010, the school's attendance rate was reported as 95%.

8th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 95% on grade level (72% advanced). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.[48]
  • 2010 - 90% (62% advanced). State - 81% [49]
  • 2009 - 90% (66% advanced), State - 80%
  • 2008 - 87% (64% advanced), State - 78%[50]
  • 2007 - 83% (58% advanced), State - 75%

8th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 86% on grade level (57% advanced). State - 76.9%
  • 2010 - 80% (54% advanced). State - 75% [51]
  • 2009 - 81% (7% below basic), State - 71%[52]
  • 2008 - 79% (8% below basic), State - 70%
  • 2007 - 79%, State - 68%

8th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 73% on grade level (8% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 68% (16% below basic). State - 57%
  • 2009 - 74% (10% below basic), State - 55% [53]
  • 2008 - 74%, State - 52%[54]

In 2010, The institute for Public Policy and Economic Development reported that Crestwood School District had the highest percentage of 8th grade students scoring advanced in science achievement - 35.5%, among all Luzerne County School Districts on the 2009 PSSAs.[55]

7th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 89% on grade level (54% advanced). State – 76%
  • 2010 - 82% (54% advanced). State - 73%
  • 2009 - 81% (6% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2008 - 80% (7% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - 76% (9% below basic). State - 67%

7th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 84% on grade level (58% advanced). State - 78.6%
  • 2010 - 84% (59% advanced). State - 77%
  • 2009 - 73% (10% below basic). State - 75%
  • 2008 - 76% (12% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2007 - 74% (10% below basic). State - 67%

Elementary schools

Fairview Elementary School is located at 117 Spruce Street, Mountaintop. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 708 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 137 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 41 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 17:1.[56] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[57] In 2010 and 2011, Fairview Elementary School achieved AYP status.[58] In 2011, only 79% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 88% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 65% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 94% of the pupils were on grade level.[59]

Rice Elementary School is located at 3700 Church Road, Mountain Top. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 797 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 112 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 44 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1.[60] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[61] In 2010 and 2011, Elementary School achieved AYP status.[62] In 2011, 86% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 93% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 66% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 95% of the pupils were on grade level.[63]

Special education

Crestwood School District administration reported that 303 students or 9% were receiving special education services in 2010, with 45% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In 2009, the district reported that 350 students or 11% were receiving special education services.[64][65]

The District affords specialized programs of instruction specifically designed to meet the needs of the District's exceptional students. With assistance from the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, exceptional students have access to a complete special education program in such support areas as Learning, Life Skills, Emotional, Speech and Language, Hearing, Visual and Gifted.

The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team. 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.[66]

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.[67]

Crestwood School District received a $1,392,792 supplement for special education services in 2010.[68] For the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[69][70]

In 2009, Crestwood School District was identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Least Restrictive Environment monitoring. One hundred ninety six schools districts were selected in 2008-09. The district received an alert letter from the PDE - Bureau of Special Education.[71] School districts were placed in one of three categories: Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3. The district was placed in Tier 3 due to students spending more than 60% of school day outside of regular education classrooms. The monitoring is a product of the PDE addressing its voluntary settlement in Gaskin V. Pennsylvania which ordered that special education students spend most of their school day (80%) in regular education classrooms with supplementary aids and services to assist funded by the taxpayers.[72][73][74] In 2010, Crestwood School District was assigned to the Tier 3 monitoring list, due to students spending less than 40% of their day in a regular education classroom. The district received a letter of “Warning” letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[75]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 85 or 2.80% of its students were gifted in 2009.[76] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[77]

Bullying policy

The school district administration reported there were no incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.[78][79]

All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. Crestwood School District has posted a Bullying/Cyberbullying Policy 249.[80] 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.[81] 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.[82]

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.[83]

Budget and taxes

In 2008, the district reported $2,804,144 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.[84]

In 2007, the district employed over 160 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $52,902 for 185 instructional days worked.[85]

In 2009, Crestwood School District reported employing over 160 teachers with a salary range of $35,032 to $96,820 and a median teacher salary of $58,205.[86][87] Teachers work 7 hours per day with a 30 min lunch period and a daily prep period. In addition to salary, the teachers' compensation includes: health insurance, life insurance, paid funeral leave, 10 paid sick, 2 personal days, and reimbursement for college courses. At retirement, teachers receive $47.5 per unused sick day and can receive district funded health insurance. Teachers receive extra compensation for additional duties and for extracurricular advising and sports coaching.[88] In 2011, the average teacher salary in Crestwood School District was $59,365 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $16,028.30 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $75,349.25.[89] 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.[90]

In 2008, Crestwood School District reported spending $9,492 per pupil. This ranked 494th among the 500 school districts, in the commonwealth.[91] In 2010 the per pupil spending had increased to $10,066.58.[92] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[93] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[94] The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[95]

Crestwood School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $456.77 in 2008. This ranked 497th in Pennsylvania public schools. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[96]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported a balance of $2,224,725 in an unreserved-designated fund, while unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as zero. [97] In 2010, Crestwood Administration reported zero in the unreserved-undesignated and a balance of $2,755,140.00 in an unreserved-designated fund 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.[98]

In 2009, the district reported having over $21 million in outstanding debt in General Obligation bonds.[99]

In October 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Significant findings were reported to the school board and the school district administration[100] In January 2012, the Pennsylvania Auditor General again conducted a performance audit of the district. Significant findings of errors in membership reporting were noted and reported to the school board and the school district administration.[101]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax of 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. 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 individual's level of wealth.[102]

State basic education funding

In 2011-12, the district received a $6,817,516, allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[103][104] Additionally, the School District received $119,491 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.[105] 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.[106] In 2010, the district reported that 584 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[107]

For the 2010-11 school year, the state basic education funding to Crestwood School District was increased 9.63% for a total of $7,469,015. The highest increase in Luzerne County was awarded to Hazleton Area School District at 12,61%. Sixteen Pennsylvania school districts received an increase over 10%. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[108] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[109]

For the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 7.33% increase in Basic Education funding for Crestwood School District a total of $6,812,784. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $6,347,347.04. The highest increase in BEF for the school districts in Luzerne County was awarded to Hazleton Area School District at a 13.36% increase. The highest increase in Pennsylvania went to Muhlenberg School District of Berks County which received an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009.[110] In 2009, the district reported that 595 students were eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to low family income.[111]

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students, For 2010-11 the Crestwood School District applied for and received $324,326 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide all-day kindergarten for the sixth year.[112][113]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Crestwood School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08, it was denied funding. The district received $187,656 in 2008-09.[114]

Federal Stimulus grant

Crestwood School District received an extra $1,774,945 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used only in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[115]

Race to the Top grant

School district officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district several hundred thousand additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[116] The teachers' union agreed to support the effort.[117] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of a majority of school districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[118]

Common Cents state initiative

The Crestwood School Board decided to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[119] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The school board levied a real estate tax of 9.1600 mills in 2011-12.[120] 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. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. 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.[121]

  • 2010-11 - 8.5145 mills [122]
  • 2009-10 - 8.5145 mills [123]

In 2008, Luzerne County conducted a county wide property value reassessment. The previous county wide assessment had been done in 1965.[124]

  • 2008-09 - 197.3000 mills[125]
  • 2007-08 - 189.3000 mills.[126]

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[127]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Crestwood School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[128]

  • 2006-07 - 4.9%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007-08 - 4.4%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008-09 - 5.7%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009-10 - 5.3%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010-11 - 3.8%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011-12 - 1.8%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.2%, Base 1.7% [129]

The Crestwood School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[130] In the Spring of 2010, 135 of 500 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.[131]

Property tax relief

In 2011, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Crestwood School District was $64 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 6,526 property owners applied for the tax relief.[132] In 2011 within Luzerne County, the highest reported amount went to Wilkes-Barre Area School District set at $211 per approved homestead. The property tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill for each property. 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. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $641 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[133] CUSD was given $632 in 2009. This was the second year they were the top recipient.

  • 2010 - $65 for 6,478 properties[134]
  • 2009 - $66 for 6,414 properties[135]

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%).[136]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs and sports. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policy.[137][138][139]

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.[140]

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References
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  3. Enrollment and Projections by LEA, Pennsylvania Department of Education, July 20, 2011
  4. Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tuition rates per LEA, 2011
  5. US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
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