Midland Borough School District

The Midland Borough School District is a very small public school district serving Midland, Pennsylvania in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It features one school offering PreK-8th grade Midland Elementary-Middle School. The district encompasses approximately 5.2 square miles (13 km2). The 2000 Census Data reported the median household income was $23,117 in a population of 3,137 people. By 2010, the district's population declined to 2,635 people.[6] The educational attainment levels for the School District population (25 years old and over) were 79.2% high school graduates and 13.2% college graduates.[7]

Midland Borough School District
Address
173 7th Street
Midland
, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, 15059-1469
United States
District information
TypePublic
GradesPreschool - K-12
SuperintendentMr. Sean Tanner, BA Contract December 19, 2013 to December 19, 2018)[1]
Students and staff
Students310 pupils (2014)[2]

357 pupils (2012)
347 students (2009-10) [3]

Enrollment projected to be 200 in 2019[4]
Faculty20 (2012), 23 (2010)
Staff10.5 non teaching staff members[5]
Other information
Per pupil spending2010 - $12,922.43
Websitemidlandpa.org

According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 64.9% of the district's pupils lived at 185% or below the Federal Poverty level as shown by their eligibility for the federal free or reduced price school meal programs in 2012.[8] In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $17,066.[9] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[10] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[11] In Beaver County, the median household income was $46,190.[12] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.[13]

According to District officials, in school year 2009-10 the Midland Borough School District provided basic educational services to 363 pupils, The district employed: 22 teachers, 20 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 4 administrators. Midland Borough School District received more than $3.4 million in state funding in school year 2009-10. In school year 2007-08 Midland Borough School District provided basic educational services to 382 pupils. It employed: 22 teachers, 21 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 4 administrators. Midland Borough School District received more than $3.5 million in state funding for the school year 2007-08.

The district operates a single school, Midland Elementary Middle School. 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.

History

Until 1985, the Lincoln High School operated within the borough. In 1985, the school board voted to close Lincoln Junior-Senior High School. With only 150 students in grades 7 through 12, they could no longer afford to operate the school. The district made two failed attempts to merge with neighboring Western Beaver County School District (once in 1965, and again in 1985). Midland School Board entered into a 5-year tuition agreement ($200,000 a year) with Beaver Area School District (1985 to 1990). In 1990, an agreement was reached to bus students 8 miles to East Liverpool High School in East Liverpool, Ohio where they attend 9th through 12th grades and graduate. These were the only Pennsylvania public school students attending a facility in another state.[14] In February 2015, East Liverpool notified the Midland Borough School Board of its intention to end the agreement. Students currently attending East Liverpool will be permitted to graduate, but no new students will be admitted to the district.[15] According to the Midland SD website (midlandpa.org) the High School students now attend the Beaver Area High School.

Governance

Midland Borough 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.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18]

Academic achievement

Midland Borough School District is not included in the Pittsburgh Business Times's statewide school district ranking because it does not operate a high school.

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of Midland Borough School District was in the 68th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best) [19]

AYP status

Midland Borough School District achieved AYP status in 2010, 2011 and 2012.[20] In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania Public School Districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.

School

Midland Elementary Middle School is located at 173 7th Street, Midland. In 2014, enrollment was reported as 310 pupils in preschool through 8th grades, with 69% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 14.8% of pupils received special education services, while none of pupils were identified as gifted. Per the PA Department of Education % of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school is a Title I school.[21]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 347 pupils in grades preschool through 8th, with 221 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 23 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[22] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[23] The school provides full day kindergarten to all its pupils.[24]

2014 School Performance Profile

Midland Elementary Middle School achieved 73 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 70.9% were on grade level. In 3rd grade, 90% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In Algebra 1/Math, 65% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Science, 53% of the 4th and 8th graders showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 71% of the 5th and 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[25]

2013 School Performance Profile

Midland Elementary School achieved a score of 70 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 68.23% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 8th. In 3rd grade, 74.19% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 71.35% were on grade level (3rd-8th grades). In 4th and 8th grade science, just 71.64% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 72.31% of 5th and 8th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[26] 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.

PSSAs

Each year, in the Spring, 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. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.[27] Sixth and 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.[28] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[29][30][31] The tests focused 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.[32]

Eighth grade
PSSA Results

8th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 72% on grade level (3% below basic). State - 59%[39]
  • 2011 - 52% on grade level (9% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 55% (19% below basic). State – 57% [40]
  • 2009 - 51% (7% below basic). State - 55% [41]
  • 2008 - 37%, (23% below basic). State - 52% [42]
  • 2007 - tested, but results not made public.

Seventh grade

PSSA Results:

Sixth grade
PSSA Results

6th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 82% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 69.9% (33 pupils)
  • 2010 - 85% (12% below basic). State - 68% (33 pupils)
  • 2009 - 57% (19% below basic), State - 67% (26 pupils)
  • 2008 - 75% (3% below basic), State - 67% (32 pupils)
  • 2007 - 51% (12% below basic), State - 63% (33 pupils)

6th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 82% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 78.8%
  • 2010 - 88% (9% below basic). State - 78%
  • 2009 - 80% (7% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2008 - 81% (6% below basic), State - 72%
  • 2007 - 75% (6% below basic), State - 69%

Fifth grade

PSSA Results: 5th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 65% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 67.3% (37 pupils)
  • 2010 - 77% (13% below basic). State – 64% (36 pupils)
  • 2009 - 75% (13% below basic), State - 64% (36 pupils)
  • 2008 - 48% (20% below basic), State - 62% (29 pupils)
  • 2007 - 43% (33% below basic), State - 60% (30 pupils)

5th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 76% on grade level (8% below basic). State - 74%
  • 2010 - 79% (10% below basic). State - 76.3%
  • 2009 - 80% (11% below basic), State - 73%
  • 2008 - 72% (17% below basic), State - 73%
  • 2007 - 66% (20% below basic), State - 71%

|}

Fourth grade
PSSA Results
4th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 88% (6% below basic), State – 73% (34 pupils)
  • 2010 - 97% (3% below basic), State - 73% (34 pupils)
  • 2009 - 91% (5% below basic), State - 72% (34 pupils)
  • 2008 - 78% (3% below basic), State - 70% (32 pupils)
  • 2007 - 55% (15% below basic), State - 60% (20 pupils)
4th Grade Math
  • 2011 - 94% (0% below basic), State – 85.3%
  • 2010 - 94% (0% below basic), State - 84%
  • 2009 - 94% (0% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2008 - 75% (12% below basic), State - 80%
  • 2007 - 65% (30% below basic), State - 78%
4th Grade Science
  • 2011 - 97%, (0% below basic), State – 82.9%
  • 2010 - 89%, (3% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2009 - 94%, (0% below basic), State - 83%
  • 2008 - 80%, (6% below basic), State - 81%

Third grade
PSSA results
3rd Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 70%, (16% below basic), State – 77%
  • 2010 - 81%, (8% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2009 - 73%, (13% below basic), State - 77%
  • 2008 - 97%, (0% below basic), State - 70%
  • 2007 - 96%, (0% below basic), State - 72%
3rd Grade Math
  • 2011 - 79%, (2% below basic), State – 83% (42 pupils)
  • 2010 - 92%, (0% below basic), State - 84% (34 pupils)
  • 2009 - 81%, (0% below basic), State - 81% (38 pupils)
  • 2008 - 94%, (0% below basic), State - 80% (36 pupils)
  • 2007 - 93%, (0% below basic), State - 78% (32 pupils)

Special education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 53 pupils or 14.8% of the district's pupils received Special Education services with 43% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.[46]

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, Midland Borough 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 .[47] 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.[48][49]

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.[50] 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.[51] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[52] Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.[53]

Midland Borough School District received a $283,018 supplement for special education services in 2010.[54] For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[55][56]

Gifted education

The district administration reported that fewer than 10 of its students were identified as gifted in 2009.[57] 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.[58][59]

Budget

In 2009, Midland Borough School District reported employing 26 teachers and administrators with a median teacher salary of $57,168 and a top salary of $105,000.[60] Teachers work 180 days per year. In addition to salary, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, dental insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days (which accumulate), and other benefits.[61][62] In 2011, the average teacher salary in MBSD was $56,044 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $19,457 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $75,501.[63] 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.[64]

In 2007, the district employed 22 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $51,617 for 180 days worked.[65] 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.[66]

Midland Borough School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $1,350.42 which ranked 12th among the Commonwealth's 501 public school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[67]

In 2008 the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,067 which ranked 266th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $12,922.43 [68] Among the states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[69] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[70]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported a balance of $3,220,027.00 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as zero. [71] In 2010, Midland Borough Administration reported $2,876,340.00 in the unreserved-undesignated 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.[72]

The 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.[73] 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.[74]

State basic education funding

In 2011-12, Midland Borough School District received a $2,860,781 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[75][76] Additionally, Midland Borough School District received $29,448 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.[77] 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.[78] In 2010, the district reported that 240 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[79]

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 7.57% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $2,824,399.73. Among the districts in Beaver County, this was the highest increase awarded by the Governor. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[80] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where a district received at least the same amount as the year before, even where enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district 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 districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $2,824,400. Among the districts in Beaver County, the highest increase went to Big Beaver Falls Area School District which got a 5.26%. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $2,769,019.34. Ninety school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[81] The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.[82]

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania's school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010-11, the district applied for and received $79,931 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide preschool.[83][84]

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $959,625 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[85] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[86] 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

Midland Borough School District officials applied for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided several hundred thousand dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[87] 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.[88] 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.[89][90][91]

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2011-12 were set by the school board at 28.0000 mills. 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.[92] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[93] When a school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board of equalization equalizes the tax rates between the counties.[94] In 2010, miscalculations by the board were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.[95]

  • 2010-11 - 28.0000 mills [96]
  • 2009-10 - 28.0000 mills.[97]
  • 2008-09 - 28.0000 mills.[98]
  • 2007-08 - 28.0000 mills.[99]
  • 2006-07 - 28.0000 mills.[100]

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.[101] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[102] Several exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[103][104]

The School District Adjusted Index for the School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[105]

  • 2006-07 - 6.0%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007-08 - 5.3%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008-09 - 6.8%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009-10 - 6.3%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010-11 - 4.5%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011-12 - 2.2%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.7%, Base 1.7% [106]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Midland Borough School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012-13, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[107]

For the 2011-12 school year, Midland Borough School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Midland Borough School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[108]

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.[109]

Property tax relief

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Midland Borough School District was $183 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 487 property owners applied for the tax relief.[110] 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.[111] Among Beaver County public school districts, the highest amount of property tax relief goes to property owners in Big Beaver Falls Area School District. They received $352 off their school property taxes, in 2010. The highest property tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[112] Residents of Chester Upland School District have been the top recipients each year, since the program began.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently, individual with income much 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.[113]

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%).[114]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy. The school runs Girls and Boy's 7th & 8th Grade Basketball.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[115]

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