Moniteau School District

Moniteau School District is a small rural public school district in Butler County, Pennsylvania, Located on PA 308. The boroughs of Cherry Valley and Eau Claire, and West Sunbury, as well as the townships of Venango, Marion, Cherry, Washington, Concord, and Clay are within district boundaries. Moniteau School District encompasses approximately 152 square miles (390 km²). According to 2010 federal census data, the resident population grew to 9,285 people. In 2000, the US Census Bureau reported the district served a resident population of 9,186. The educational attainment levels for the population 25 and over were 87.4% high school graduates and 12.0% college graduates.[11] The district is named after a Native American tribe which once lived in the area. Moniteau School District is one of 9 full or partial public school districts operating in Butler County and one of 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania.

Moniteau School District
Address
1810 W Sunbury Road West Sunbury , Butler County , Pennsylvania 16061 United States
Information
Type	Public
School board	9 locally elected members
Superintendent	Dr. Sean Arney
Administrator	Mr John D'Amore, Business Manager
Principal	Thompson, Dustin, ES
Principal	Fox, Lance, HS
Staff	81 non-teaching staff members
Faculty	84.67 teachers (2012)[1]
Grades	K-12
Age	5 years old to 21 years old special education
Number of pupils	1,406 pupils (2012-2013),[2] 1,583 pupils (2009-10)[3][4] 1,663 pupils (2006-2007)[5]
• Kindergarten	81 (2012),[6] 89 (2010)
• Grade 1	106 (2012), 110
• Grade 2	95 (2012), 116
• Grade 3	107 (2012), 102
• Grade 4	111 (2012), 118
• Grade 5	110 (2012), 102
• Grade 6	110 (2012), 121
• Grade 7	110 (2012), 115
• Grade 8	131 (2012), 109
• Grade 9	119 (2012), 124
• Grade 10	94 (2012), 143
• Grade 11	106 (2012), 121
• Grade 12	134 (2012), 119 (2010)
• Other	Enrollment projected to be 1,200 in 2020[7]
Language	English
Budget	$19,501,335 (2013-2014)[8] $16,003,000 (2010-2011) $15,846,000 (2009-10)[9]
per-pupil spending	$10,753 (2008)
per pupils spending	$11,217.38 (2010)[10]
Website	www.moniteau.org

In 2009, Moniteau School District residents’ per capita income was $15,848, while the median family income was $39,904.[12] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[13] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[14] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.[15]

According to district officials, Moniteau School District provided basic educational services to 1,593 pupils in 2009-2010. It employed: 109 teachers, 67 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators. Moniteau School District received $11.6 million in state funding for the 2009-2010 school year. In school year 2007-2008, Moniteau School District enrollment was reported as 1,688 pupils. The district employed: 109 teachers, 67 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators. MSD received more than $11.3 million in state funding in school year 2007-2008.

The district operates two schools: Moniteau Junior Senior High School (7th-12th) and Dassa Mckinney Elementary School (K-6th)

High school students may choose to attend Butler County Area Vocational Technical School for training in the culinary arts, cosmetology, construction and mechanical trades. The Midwestern Intermediate Unit MIU4 provides the district with a wide variety of services like specialized education for disabled students and hearing, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Governance

Moniteau School District is governed by 9 individually elected, school board members (serve without compensation for a term of four years), 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]

A May 2013, performance audit of the district conducted by the Pennsylvania Auditor General found the Moniteau School Board had spent $128,901 on an agreement that prematurely terminated Its former superintendent's employment contract.[18] Dr. Trudy Kay Peterman was appointed superintendent in October 2005 with a five-year contract.[19] Peterman resigned her position in April 2010.[20] Michael A. Panza served as superintendent from 1999-2005.[21]

Campbell Bus Co. Is their local bus company.

Academic achievement

In 2014, Moniteau School District ranked 253rd out of 496 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[22] The ranking is based on the last 3 years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in: reading, writing, math and science and the three Keystone Exams (literature, Algebra 1, Biology I) in high school.[23] Three school districts were excluded because they do not operate high schools (Saint Clair Area School District, Midland Borough School District, Duquesne City School District). The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th. Adapted PSSA examinations are given to children in the special education programs. Writing exams were given to children in 5th and 8th grades.

• 2013 - 254th [24]
• 2010 - 336th [25]
• 2009 - 362nd
• 2008 - 394th
• 2007 - 361st out of 501 school districts.[26]

Western Pennsylvania local ranking Moniteau School District was ranked 54th out of 104 western Pennsylvania school districts, in 2014, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs on: math, reading, writing and science.[27] (includes 105 districts in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County and Westmoreland County but excludes Duquesne City School District & Midland Borough School District due to their not operating a high school). In 2006, the district ranked 89th in the region.[28]

Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Moniteau School District ranked 14th in the western Pennsylvania region. In 2013, the district was 26th.[29] 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."[30]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Moniteau School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status, even though both schools failed to make AYP.[31] In 2011, Moniteau School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.[32][33] Moniteau School District achieved AYP status each year from 2006 to 2010.[34]

• 2005 - Making Progress School Improvement 1 AYP status
• 2004 - declined to District Improvement 1 AYP status due to lagging student achievement. The Administration was required to develop an improvement plan to address academic achievement and to submit it to the PDE for approval.[35]
• 2003 - Warning AYP status

Graduation rate

In 2013, Moniteau School District's graduation rate was 86%. In 2012, the district's graduation rate was 94%.[36] In 2011, the graduation rate was 91%.[37] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Moniteau Junior Senior High School's rate was 95.88% for 2010.[38]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 91%[39]
• 2009 - 86.84%[40]
• 2008 - 89%[41]
• 2007 - 89.9%[42]

Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School

Moniteau Junior Senior High School is located at 1810 W Sunbury Road, West Sunbury. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 685 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 40% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 11.6% of pupils received special education services, while 3.36% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 41 teachers.[43] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school is not a Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 722 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 284 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2011, the school employed 40.9 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1.[44] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[45] The Moniteau Junior Senior High School was a Title I school.

Western PA academic ranking;

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Business Times ranked Moniteau Junior Senior High School's eleventh grade 82nd out of 105 western Pennsylvania high schools, based on the last three years of student academic achievement in Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) in: reading, math, writing and science.[46] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County) In 2013, the 11th grade ranked 91st.[47] In 2012, the eleventh grade ranked 94th out of 105.

2013 School Performance Profile

Moniteau Junior Senior High School achieved 70.9 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature -81% of pupils were reading on grade level. In Algebra 1, 77% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Biology, just 52% showed on grade level science understanding.[48] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.[49]

AYP History

In 2012, Moniteau Junior Senior High School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging achievement in reading and mathematics.[50] In 2010 and 2011, Moniteau Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status.[51] Effective with Spring 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education discontinued administering the PSSA's to 11th graders.

• 2009 - declined to Warning AYP status[52]
• 2008 - achieved AYP status[53]
• 2007 - declined to Warning AYP status[54]
• 2006 - achieved AYP status
• 2005 - declined to Warning AYP status
• 2004 - achieved AYP status
• 2003 - Warning AYP status

PSSA results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[55]

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.[56]

11th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 71% on grade level, (13 below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[57]
• 2011 - 73% (12% below basic). State - 69.1%[58]
• 2010 - 70% (11% below basic). State - 66%[59]
• 2009 - 55% (20% below basic). State - 65% [60]
• 2008 - 65% (18% below basic). State - 65% [61]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 52% on grade level (23% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[62]
• 2011 - 52% (22% below basic). State - 60.3% [63]
• 2010 - 45% (31% below basic). State - 59% [64]
• 2009 - 49% (23% below basic). State - 71% [65]
• 2008 - 47% (30% below basic). State - 56% [66]

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 31% on grade level (19% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[67]
• 2011 - 32% (14% below basic). State - 40%[68]
• 2010 - 30% (13% below basic). State – 57% [69]
• 2009 - 18% (35% below basic). State - 40% [70]
• 2008 - 26% (17% below basic). State - 39% [71]
• 2007 - students field tested. Results withheld from the public by PDE.

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 38% of the Moniteau Junior Senior 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.[72] 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.[73][74] 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.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Moniteau School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 26 credits to graduate, including: a required class every year in math, English, social studies 3 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, health .25 credit, Drivers Education 0.25 credit, Computer Research 0.25 credit and 9.25 credits in electives.[75]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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.[76] 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.[77] Moniteau requires a Senior Focal Project which is presented, at the Moniteau Expo in the spring.[78]

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.[79] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.[80]

Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate.[81][82] 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.[83] 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.[84] 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 2013, Moniteau School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 512. The Math average score was 488. The Writing average score was 468. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.[85]

In 2012, 51 Moniteau School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 493. The Math average score was 503. The Writing average score was 482. 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.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania's SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.[86]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.

AP Courses

In 2013, Moniteau Senior High School offered 3 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The school district pays the fee for the exam which was $89 per test per pupil in 2012. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Moniteau School District the AP courses are weighted more than 1 credits. At Moniteau High School just 23.2% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[87]

Eighth Grade academics

In 2014, Moniteau Junior High School's eighth grade ranked 52nd out of 105 western Pennsylvania middle schools and junior high schools based on the last three years of student academic achievement in Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA) in: reading, math, writing and three years of science.[88]

8th Grade Reading: 2012 - 86% on grade level (3% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[89] 2011 - 89% (6% below basic) State - 81.8%[90] 2010 - 86% (3% below basic). State - 81% 2009 - 81% (14% below basic), State - 80% 2008 - 80% (8% below basic), State - 78% [91]

8th Grade Math: 2012 - 87% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 76% [92] 2011 - 82% (9% below basic). State - 76.9% 2010 - 76% (6% below basic). State - 75% [93] 2009 - 74% (10% below basic). State - 71% [94] 2008 - 62% (17% below basic). State - 70%

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 62% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 59%[95]
• 2011 - 62% (19% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 61% (23% below basic). State – 57% [96]
• 2009 - 62% (17% below basic). State - 55% [97]
• 2008 - 46%, (21% below basic). State - 52% [98]
• 2007 - tested, but results not made public.

Seventh Grade academics

In 2014, the school's seventh grade ranked 28th out of 105 western Pennsylvania middle school's seventh grades.[99]

7th Grade Reading: 2012 - 87% (2% below basic). State – 76% 2011 - 86% (1% below basic). State – 76% 2010 - 82% (7% below basic). State - 73% 2009 - 77% (7% below basic). State - 71% 2008 - 70% (10% below basic). State - 70%

7th Grade Math: 2012 - 89% (5% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 85% (2% below basic). State - 78.6% 2010 - 84% (6% below basic). State - 77% 2009 - 73% (11% below basic). State - 75% 2008 - 68% (14% below basic). State - 71%

Dassa McKinney Elementary

Dassa McKinney Elementary School is a rural school located at 391 Hooker Road, West Sunbury. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 719 pupils in grades kindergarten through sixth, with 47% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 13% of the pupils receive special education services, while 1.5% are identified as gifted.[100] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school provides half-day kindergarten.[101] The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school provides half-day kindergarten to all its pupils. Dassa McKinney was a woman who had a school built on her land, in her honor.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, enrollment was 733 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 303 pupils receiving a free or reduced-price lunch. Dassa McKinney Elementary School employed 44 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 16:1.[102] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[103] The school provides half-day kindergarten to all its pupils.[104]

2013 School Performance Profile

Dassa McKinney Elementary School achieved a score of 82.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 71% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 77.78% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 81% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, 93% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 74% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[105]

Western Pennsylvania ranking

In 2014, Dassa McKinney Elementary School's sixth grade ranked 28th out of 105 western Pennsylvania middle school's sixth grades.[106] The fifth grade ranked 42nd out of 105 schools. The 4th grade ranked 35th while the third grade ranked 43rd out of 105 schools.

AYP history

In 2012, Dassa McKinney Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status, due to lagging achievement in reading and mathematics.[107] From 2003 through 2011, Dassa McKinney Elementary School achieved AYP status each school year.

PSSA History

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. The sixth grade was assessed in reading and mathematics. These PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.[108] Prior to that year the test were given to 5th grades, 8th grades and 11th grades. The goal established by NCLB was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[109][110][111] 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.[112]

PSSA history

6th Grade Reading: 2012 - 80% (4% below basic). State - 68%[113] 2011 - 90% (1% below basic). State - 69.9%[114] 2010 - 80% (5% below basic). State - 68%[115] 2009 - 69% (8% below basic). State - 67%[116] 2008 - 64% (12% below basic). State - 67%[117]

6th Grade Math: 2012 - 89% (2% below basic). State - 77% 2011 - 94% (2% below basic). State - 78.8% 2010 - 91% (2% below basic). State - 78% 2009 - 78% (8% below basic). State - 75% 2008 - 79% (6% below basic). State - 72%

5th Grade Reading: 2012 - 73% (7% below basic). State - 65% 2011 - 80% (3% below basic). State - 67.3% 2010 - 74% (10% below basic). State - 64% 2009 - 72% (10% below basic). State - 64% 2008 - 68% (15% below basic). State - 62%

5th Grade Math: 2012 - 82% (4% below basic). State - 73% 2011 - 95% (0% below basic). State - 74% 2010 - 93% (3% below basic). State - 76.3% 2009 - 82% (4% below basic). State - 73% 2008 - 79% (6% below basic). State - 73%

4th Grade Reading 2012 - 76% (7% below basic). State - 72% 2011 - 80% (7% below basic). State - 73% 2010 - 83% (4% below basic). State - 73% 2009 - 80% (4% below basic). State - 72% 2008 - 85% (5% below basic). State - 70%

4th Grade Math 2012 - 89% (5% below basic). State - 82% 2011 - 95% (3% below basic). State - 85% 2010 - 97% (1% below basic). State - 84% 2009 - 93% (2% below basic). State - 81% 2008 - 95% (3% below basic). State - 80%

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 90%, (5% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 97%, (0% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 91%, (1% below basic). State - 81%
• 2009 - 99%, (0% below basic). State - 83%
• 2008 - 96%, (0% below basic). State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading 2012 - 88%, (7% below basic). State - 74%[118] 2011 - 92%, (4% below basic). State - 77% 2010 - 90%, (4% below basic). State - 75% 2009 - 94%, (2% below basic). State - 77% 2008 - 89%, (3% below basic). State - 70%

3rd Grade Math 2012 - 86%, (5% below basic). State - 80% 2011 - 89%, (4% below basic). State - 83% 2010 - 91%, (3% below basic). State - 84% 2009 - 93%, (2% below basic). State - 81% 2008 - 91%, (4% below basic). State - 80%

Special education

In December 2012, Moniteau School District Administration reported that 197 pupils, or 13.9% of the district's pupils, received special education services, with 41.6% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.[119] In December 2010, Moniteau School District Administration reported that 222 pupils, or 14.8% of the district's pupils, received special education services, with 39% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2008, the district administration reported that 246 pupils, or 15.4% of the district's pupils, received special education services, with 47% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.[120] Special education services in the Commonwealth are provided to students from ages three years to 21 years old. In the 2010-2011 school year, the total student enrollment was more than 1.78 million students with approximately 275,000 students eligible for special education services. Among these students 18,959 were identified with mental retardation and 21,245 students with autism.[121] The largest group of students are identified as Specific Learning Disabilities 126,026 students (46.9 percent) and Speech or Language Impairments with 43,542 students (16.2 percent).

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress.[122] 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.[123] 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.[124][125] The IDEA 2004 requires each school entity to publish a notice to parents, in newspapers or other media, including the student handbook and website regarding the availability of screening and intervention services and how to access them.

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.[126] 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.[127] 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.[128] 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.[129] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.[130]

The Moniteau School District received a $1,013,088 supplement for special education services in 2010-2011.[131] For the 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013–2014 and 2014-2015 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[132][133] Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The district must apply for this added funding.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 26 or 1.64% of its students were gifted in 2009-2010. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted.[134] 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.[135][136] In 2007-2008, 36 pupils in the district were identified as gifted.

School safety and bullying

Moniteau School District administration reported there were thirteen incidents of bullying in the district in 2012. Additionally, there were two thefts and no sexual incidents involving students. The local law enforcement was involved in eleven incidents at the schools with no arrests.[137] [138] Each year the school safety data is reported by the district to the Safe School Center which then publishes the compiled reports online. Nationally, nearly 20% of pupils report being bullied at school.[139]

In 2014, Moniteau High School English teacher and football coach, Jonathan Crum pled guilty to sexually molesting 5 students at the school including trading grades for sex.[140][141][142]

In August 2012, a hazing incident involving the football team became public. Older team players stuck the bare buttocks in the faces of younger players in a practice they called brown nosing.[143] The perpetrators were barred from the team.[144] The district has an anti-hazing policy which was revised after the incident.[145]

In 2008, Matthew Goettler a seventh grade basketball coach and substitute teacher at the district was charged with sexual abuse of students for conducting a game with sexual activities and sending sexual messages to pupils.[146][147] In 2009, Goettler was declared a sexual predator and sentenced to prison.[148]

The Moniteau School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[149] 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.[150] 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.[151][152]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[153]

Safe School grants

Moniteau School District has not participated in either the Safe Schools Targeted Grant in 2013 nor the School Resource Officer and Police Officer grant.[154][155][156]

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.[157]

In the 2012-2013 school year, the average teacher salary in Moniteau School District was $56,170 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $23,621 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $79,791.[158] The district employed 138 teachers and administrators, with a top salary of $100,000.[159][160]

According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation was 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.[161] At Moniteau School District there were 140 teachers and administrators in 2009.[162]

In 2009, the Moniteau School District reported employing 115 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $52,716 and a top salary of 87,802.[163] The teacher's work day is 7.5 hours with a 30-minute duty-free lunch and a daily prep period. There were 186 days in the contract year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit PSERS pension, health insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, 4 bereavement days and other benefits. The full cost of health insurance for district retirees is paid by the district taxpayers. The district also provides both short term and long term disability insurance and a cash bonus retirement incentive. The local union president is entitled to 6 days with pay to conduct union business.[164]

In 2008, Moniteau School District administration reported that per-pupil spending was $10,753. In 2010, the district's per-pupil spending had increased to $11,217.38.[165] In 2011, Pennsylvania's state per-pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States.[166] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.[167]

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[168] By 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.[169] Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, for the 2008-2009 school year.[170] Pennsylvania's total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.[171]

Reserves In 2008, the Moniteau School District reported a balance of $2,312,971 in its unreserved-designated fund. The district's unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as another $1,364,871.00. [172] In 2010, Moniteau School District Administration reported $1,364,871 in the district's unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The district also reported $2,383,480 in its unreserved-designated fund in 2010. By June 30, 2013, Moniteau School District had amaaed $4,591,427 in its reserve accounts.[173] 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.[174] In 2005, the total reserve funds held by Pennsylvania public school districts was $1.9 billion.[175] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.[176] In July 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that Pennsylvania public schools as a whole held over $4.27 billion in reserves.[177]

Audit In May 2013, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the School Board and the district's administration. Multiple issues were noted including: failing to correct chronic overreporting of enrollment and continuing to retain an uncertified special education administrator.[178] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the Moniteau School Board and the district's administration. Multiple issues were noted several of which had been noted in previous audits and remained uncorrected.[179]

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 Moniteau School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each public 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 Moniteau School District's schools. The 2013 tuition rates are Elementary School - $8,183.02, High School/Junior High - $8,514.84.[180]

Moniteau School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1%,[181] a local property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a small amount, generally 10% of its budget from the federal government.[182] Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Interest earnings on 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.[183] 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.[184]

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Moniteau School District receives 65.1% of its annual revenue from the state.[185]

For the 2014-2015 school year, Moniteau School District will receive $7,494,629 in State Basic Education funding. The district will also receive $125,328 in Accountability Block Grant funding and $102,860 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State's enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-2015 Basic Education Funding.[186] The Pennsylvania Education budget also includes Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system (PSERS). In total, Pennsylvania's Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013-2014 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.[187]

In the 2013-2014 school year, the Moniteau School District received a 1.4% increase or $7,491,764 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $104,905 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the district. Additionally, Moniteau School District received $125,328 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Butler County, Seneca Valley School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 2.3%. 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.[188] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent.[189] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[190]

For the 2012-2013 school year, the Moniteau School District received $7,582,585.[191] 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. Moniteau School District also received $125,328 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[192] This amount was a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In the 2011-2012 school year, the Moniteau School District received a $7,457,257 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[193][194] The Moniteau School District received $125,328 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.[195] 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.[196] In 2010, the district reported that 571 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[197] Some public school districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011.

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,102,861. Among the districts in Butler County, the highest increase went to South Butler County School District which got a 6.21% increase. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-2011 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County, which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[198] 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 then Governor Edward Rendell and his 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.[199]

In the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.5% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $7,717,376. The district received $260,873 more than its 2008-2009 funding. Among the districts in Butler County, the highest increase went to South Butler County School District which got a 4.54%. Ninety (90) Pennsylvania public school districts received the base 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[200] The amount of increase each school district received was set by then Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.[201]

In 2008-2009 budget, the state Basic Education Funding to the district was $7,456,503. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 561 district students received free or reduced- price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[202] 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.[203][204]

All Pennsylvania school districts also receive additional funding from the state through several other funding allocations, including Reimbursement of Charter School Expenditures; Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; PA Accountability Grants; and low achieving schools were eligible for Educational Assistance Program Funding. Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including: Special Education funding and Title I funding for children from low income families. In 2010, Pennsylvania spent over $24 billion for public education - local, state and federal dollars combined.[205]

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 skills training; All Day Kindergarten; lower class size in Kindergarten through 3rd grade; literacy and math coaching programs (provides 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 $340,173 in addition to all other state and federal education funding. The district reported using the money to provide: reduced class size K-3rd grade; intensive instruction for struggling students during the school day; and to provide Social and Health Services to students.[206][207] In 2009, 100% of the kindergarteners in Moniteau School District attended half-day kindergarten.[208]

Ready to Learn grant

Beginning in the 2014-2015 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the number of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.[209]

Moniteau School District will receive $102,860 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, Accountability Block Grant funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. The Moniteau School District did not apply to participate in 2006-2007, in 2007-2008 nor in 2008-2009. The district is one of 54 public school districts that never participated in the computer grant program.[210] Among the public school districts in Butler County the highest award was given to Butler Area School District which received $1,005,615. 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 his 2009-2010 state budget.

Education Assistance Grant

The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the School District received $102,320.[211]

Other grants

The district did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants;[212][213] PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-2010 budget by Governor Rendell);[214] 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant;[215] 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants, 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants;,[216] nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $2,385,327 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[217][218] The funding was limited to the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years.[219] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, the Governor and the Pennsylvania School Board Association, 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

Moniteau School District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided nearly one million dollars, in additional federal funding, to improve student academic achievement.[220] 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.[221] 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.[222][223][224]

Local Services Tax

All local taxing authorities are required by the Local Tax Enabling Act to exempt disabled veterans and members of the armed forces reserve who are called to active duty at any time during the tax year from any local services tax and to exempt from any local services tax levied at a rate in excess of $10 those persons whose total income and net profits from all sources within the political subdivision is less than $12,000 for the tax year. The Local Tax Enabling Act also authorizes, but does not require, taxing authorities to exempt from per capita, occupation, and earned income taxes and any local services tax levied at a rate of $10 or less per year, any person whose total income from all sources is less than $12,000 per year. Moniteau School District levies a $10 Local Services Tax.

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2013-2014 were set by the school board at 84.64 mills.[225] 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.[226] 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. 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.[227] 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.[228] 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.[229]

2012-13 - 83.6400 mills.[230] 2011-12 - 81.6000 mills.[231] 2010-11 - 81.6000 mills.[232] 2009-10 - 80.2700 mills.[233]

2008-09 - 107.0300 mills.[234] 2007-08 - 104.0300 mills.[235] 2006-07 - 101.5500 mills.[236] 2005-06 - 100.0000 mills.[237]

The average yearly property tax paid by Butler County residents amounts to about 3.03% of their yearly income. Butler County ranked 580th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[238] 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.[239] 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%).[240]

Act 1 Adjusted Index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise property taxes above their annual Act 1 Index unless they either: allow districts voters to approve the increase through a vote by referendum or they receive an exception from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The base index for the school year is published by the PDE in the fall of each year. Each individual school district's Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as local property values and the personal income of district residents. Originally, Act 1 of 2006 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.[241]

In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation eliminating six of the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[242] 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.[243][244] The legislature also froze the payroll amount public school districts use to calculate the pension-plan exception at the 2012 payroll levels. Further increases in payroll cannot be used to raise the district's exception for pension payments.

A specific timeline for Act I Index decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[245]

The School District Adjusted Index history for the Moniteau School District:

2006-07 - 5.6%, Base 3.9%[246] 2007-08 - 5.0%, Base 3.4% 2008-09 - 6.5%, Base 4.4% 2009-10 - 6.1%, Base 4.1% 2010-11 - 4.2%, Base 2.9%

2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4% 2012-13 - 2.5%%, Base 1.7% [247] 2013-14 - 2.5%, Base 1.7% [248] 2014-15 - 3.0%, Base 2.1% [249]

For the 2014-15 budget year, Moniteau School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).[250] For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.[251]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Moniteau School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2013-14, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 16.93% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS). For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[252]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Moniteau School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. In 2012-13, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 12.36% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS). For 2012-2013 budget year, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; while 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[253]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Moniteau School Board applied for four exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index, including: Maintenance of Local Tax Revenue; Special Education costs; rapidly escalating Teacher Pension costs; and Maintenance of Selected Revenue Sources. In 2011-12, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make an 8.65% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund. Each year, the School Board has the option of adopting either: 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions nor ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index.

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.[254]

For its 2010-2011 school year budget, The Moniteau School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2010-2011.[255]

For the 2009-2010 school year budget, Moniteau School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[256] 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.[257]

Property tax relief

In 2013, Moniteau School District approved homestead properties received $217. There were 2,785 approved properties.[258] This was the highest tax relief awarded in Butler County. The decline in amount was related to more residents applying for tax relief and a decline in table games tax revenues. The amount received by the district must be divided equally among all approved residences.[259] Property owners in Chester-Upland School District received the largest relief in the Commonwealth - $641 per homestead.

In 2009, Moniteau School District approved homestead properties to receive $231 in property tax relief to 2,613 homesteads.[260] 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. The amount of property tax relief each Pennsylvania public school district receives is announced by the PDE in May of each year. The amount of tax relief is dependent on the total tax revenue collected on the casino slots in the previous year. Thirty five percent of the slots tax revenues are used for property tax relief. In Butler County, the highest tax relief went to Moniteau School District which was set at $.[261] The highest property tax relief provided, among Pennsylvania school districts, goes to the homesteads of Chester Upland School District in Delaware County which received $632 per approved homestead in 2010. Chester-Upland School District has consistently been the top recipient since the programs inception.[262] The tax relief was started by Governor Rendell with passage of the gaming law. Rendell promised taxpayers substantial property tax relief from legalized gambling.[263]

Enrollment

According to Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment reports, there were 1,663 students enrolled in K-12 in Moniteau School District (MSD) during the 2009–2010 school year. There were 144 students in the MSD Class of 2009. The district's class of 2010 had 135 students. The Class of 2011 had 119 pupils. Enrollment is projected to decline further to 1,200 students by 2020.[264] In 2008, the district's administrative costs were $629.13 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[265] A study of Pennsylvania public school spending, conducted by Standard & Poor's, examined the consolidation of small public school districts in Pennsylvania in 2007. The study found that consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings which varied by district.[266] The Study found that several Butler County school districts were candidates for consolidation of administrations.

According to a 2009 school district administration consolidation proposal by then Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to reduce property taxes.[267] Consolidation of two central administrations into one would not require the closing of any schools. The Governor's proposal called for the savings to be redirected to improving lagging reading and science achievement, to enriching the academic programs or to reducing residents' property taxes.[268] 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 schools.[269]

From 2000 through 2010, rural Pennsylvania public school district enrollment has decreased by 8 percent.[270] In 2010, there were 726,417 children in rural Pennsylvania, or 21 percent of the total rural population. From 2000 to 2010, the number of children in rural counties decreased 7 percent. The decline in the number of children impacted most rural counties with 42 of Pennsylvania's 48 rural counties experiencing a decline. Cameron County, Elk County and Sullivan County experienced the greatest declines, with a decrease of more than 21 percent in all three counties. Butler County's live birth rate was 2,051 births in 1990. Butler County's live birth rate in 2000 was 2,069 births while in 2011 it had declined to 1,802 babies.[271] Over the past 50 years (1960 to 2010), rural Pennsylvania saw a steady decline in both the number and proportion of residents under 18 years old. In 1960, 1.06 million rural residents, or 35 percent of the rural population, were children.

The Commonwealth of 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.[272] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts like Moniteau School District, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[273]

Wellness policy

Moniteau School Board established a district-wide wellness policy in 2006.[274] 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 districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[275]

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

The Moniteau School District offers both a free school breakfast and a 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.[277] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[278]

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.[279] 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 providing the lunch.[280] In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.[281] The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.[282]

Moniteau School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in the buildings 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.[283][284] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2009, the Moniteau School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Moniteau Junior Senior High School received $9,976 which was used to purchase fitness equipment that will be utilized by the physical education program for grades 7th-12th and the sports teams.[285] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.[286]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, publicly funded sports program.[287] Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).[288] The district is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website.

According to Pennsylvania's Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.[289][290]

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.[291]

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.[292]

Sports

The district funds:

Varsity

Boys Baseball - AA Basketball - AA Cross Country - AA Football - AA Golf - AA Track and Field - AA

Girls Basketball - AA Cross Country - A Golf - AA Softball - AA Track and Field - AA Volleyball - A

Junior High Middle School Sports

Boys Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Soccer Track and Field Wrestling

Girls Basketball Cross Country Field Hockey Softball Track and Field Volleyball

According to PIAA directory July 2014 [293]

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