Aliquippa School District
Encyclopedia
The Aliquippa School District covers the City of Aliquippa
in Beaver County, Pennsylvania
. Aliquippa School District encompasses approximately 4 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 11,734. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the district provided basic educational services to 1,170 pupils through the employment of 124 teachers, 74 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators.
Faced with sharply declining enrollment, the Aliquippa School District Board of Education chose to realign grades resulting in reducing to two buildings. The new alignment resulted in Aliquippa Elementary School (formerly New Sheffield School) hosting grades K-6. The former middle school became the Aliquippa Jr.-Sr. High School hosting grades 7-12. The high school, which was built in 1924, was demolished.
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
and the No Child Left Behind Act
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
s for: math, reading, writing and two years of science. In 2009 the district ranked 102nd In 2008 and in 2007 - 101st of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts.
Statewide Honor Roll Ranking
2010 - 489th of 498 school districts.
2009 - 488th
2008 - 487th
2007 - 490th of 501 school districts.
Graduation Rate:
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Aliquippa School District's rate was 76% for 2010.
Traditional graduation rate:
In 2007, Johns Hopkins University
reported that Aliquippa Senior High School was among 47 Pennsylvania schools and 1700 nationwide high schools with high drop out rates.
The school's eleventh grade ranked 109th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools for student academic achievement in 2009. The ranking was made by the Pittsburgh Business Times. It was based on three years of PSSA results on: reading, writing, math and one year of science.
In 2007 Johns Hopkins University
listed Aliquippa High School among 47 Pennsylvania schools and 1700 nationwide high schools with high drop out rates.
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading:
11th Grade Math:
11th Grade Science:
College remediation - According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 47% of Aliquippa School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses, in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
schools or the community colleges. 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. 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.
Aliquippa Middle School was ranked 138th out of 141 Western Pennsylvania Middle Schools in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and science.
In 2009 the district built a new build to serve as both a junior and senior high school.
8th Grade Math:
8th Grade Science:
7th Grade Reading
7th Grade Math:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
5th Grade Math:
4th Grade Reading:
4th Grade Math:
4th Grade Science:
3rd Grade Reading:
3rd Grade Math:
The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $1126 per pupil. The district ranked 34th of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts for administrative costs. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007-08 school year was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.
Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,248,657.00.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.
For the 2010-11 school year, Aliquippa School District received a 2.04% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $8,303,126 payment. Midland Borough School District
received a 7.57% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Beaver County. Kennett Consolidated School District
in Chester County
received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided Aliquippa School District a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $8,136,818. Four Beaver County school districts received increases of over 4% in Basic Education Funding in 2008-10. Big Beaver Falls Area School District
received an 5.26% increase. The majority of Beaver County districts received a 2% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District
in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Aliquippa School District in 2008-09 was $7,977,272.79 The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. The funding is for 2009-2011 school year.
federal grant. The district is identified as a turnaround district due to the chronically low academic achievement of its students. When approved for the grant, the district will receive hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Turnaround status also brings an extra $700 per student, in supplemental funding above the basic grant amount. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.
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. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Aliquippa School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Aliquippa School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
.
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.
Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 nor in 2010-11. 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.
of Delaware County
who received $632 per approved homestead. 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 acres (40,468.6 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.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, so that people with income of far more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The Superintendent is required to report annually to the Board regarding this policy and the associated issues.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Aliquippa is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 9,438 at the 2010 census. Formerly a borough, it was formally named a city in 1987 by the Aliquippa Council.-History:...
in Beaver County, Pennsylvania
Beaver County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 418 people per square mile . There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of 179 per square mile...
. Aliquippa School District encompasses approximately 4 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 11,734. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the district provided basic educational services to 1,170 pupils through the employment of 124 teachers, 74 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 9 administrators.
Faced with sharply declining enrollment, the Aliquippa School District Board of Education chose to realign grades resulting in reducing to two buildings. The new alignment resulted in Aliquippa Elementary School (formerly New Sheffield School) hosting grades K-6. The former middle school became the Aliquippa Jr.-Sr. High School hosting grades 7-12. The high school, which was built in 1924, was demolished.
Governance
The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of EducationPennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
and the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act , is a United States federal statute enacted April 11, 1965. It was passed as a part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" and has been the most far-reaching federal legislation affecting education ever passed by Congress...
and the No Child Left Behind Act
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.
Academic achievement
Aliquippa School District was ranked 102nd out of 105 Western Pennsylvania School Districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAPennsylvania System of School Assessment
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment is a standardized test administered to public schools in the state of Pennsylvania. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11 are assessed in reading skills and mathematics. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 are assessed in writing skills...
s for: math, reading, writing and two years of science. In 2009 the district ranked 102nd In 2008 and in 2007 - 101st of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts.
Statewide Honor Roll Ranking
2010 - 489th of 498 school districts.
2009 - 488th
2008 - 487th
2007 - 490th of 501 school districts.
Graduation Rate:
In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Aliquippa School District's rate was 76% for 2010.
Traditional graduation rate:
- 2010 - 78%
- 2009 - 83%
- 2008 - 87%
- 2007 - 87%
In 2007, Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
reported that Aliquippa Senior High School was among 47 Pennsylvania schools and 1700 nationwide high schools with high drop out rates.
High school
In 2011, Aliquippa Junior-Senior High School achieved AYP status. In 2010, the school achieved Warning status. In 2009, Aliquippa High School was in Corrective Action II 2nd Year due to chronic, low academic achievement of its students.The school's eleventh grade ranked 109th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools for student academic achievement in 2009. The ranking was made by the Pittsburgh Business Times. It was based on three years of PSSA results on: reading, writing, math and one year of science.
In 2007 Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
listed Aliquippa High School among 47 Pennsylvania schools and 1700 nationwide high schools with high drop out rates.
PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 40% on grade level, (30% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 29%, (44% below basic). State - 66%
- 2009 - 29%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 44%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 65%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 29%, on grade level (51% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 13%, State - 59%
- 2009 - 23%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 33%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 37%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 5% on grade level (59% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 1% (68% below basic). State - 39%
- 2009 - 10%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 26%, State - 39%
College remediation - According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 47% of Aliquippa School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses, in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a large public university system in the United States. It is the tenth-largest university system in the United States and 43rd largest in the world...
schools or the community colleges. 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. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
, one in three recent high school graduates, who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges, takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.
Dual enrollment
The high school offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,414 for the program.Middle school
In 2009, Aliquippa Middle School is in Corrective Action II 2nd Year due to chronically low academic achievement of the students.Aliquippa Middle School was ranked 138th out of 141 Western Pennsylvania Middle Schools in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and science.
In 2009 the district built a new build to serve as both a junior and senior high school.
Eighth Grade
8th Grade Reading:- 2011 - 53% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2010 - 50% (23% below basic). State - 81%
- 2009 - 57%, State - 80.9%
- 2008 - 43%, State - 78%
- 2007 - 41%, State - 75%
8th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 45% on grade level (34.6% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
- 2010 - 26% (50% below basic), State - 75%
- 2009 - 33%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 33%, State - 70%
- 2007 - 16%, State - 67%
8th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 27% on grade level (57% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 10% (84% below basic). State - 57%
- 2009 - 13%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 10%, State - 50%
7th Grade Reading
- 2011 - 48% on grade level (28% below basic). State – 76%
- 2010 - 44% (34% below basic). State - 73%
- 2009 - 25% (31% below basic), State - 71%
7th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 54% on grade level (23% below basic). State - 78.6%
- 2010 - 36% (38% below basic). State - 77%
- 2009 - 25% (36.7% below basic), State - 75%
Elementary school
In 2011, the school declined to School Improvement status due to chronic low student achievement. In 2010 the school was in Warning status. In 2011, the attendance rate was 93%.6th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 47% on grade level (25% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 48% (28% below basic). State - 68%
- 2009 - 34% (32% below basic), State - 67%
6th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 75% on grade level (10% below basic). State - 78.8%
- 2010 - 65% (10% below basic). State - 78%
- 2009 - 48% (30% below basic), State - 75%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 34% on grade level (38% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 67.3% of 5th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 37% (29% below basic). State – 64%
- 2009 - 25% (42% below basic), State - 64%
5th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 60% on grade level (19.8% below basic). State - 74%
- 2010 - 58% (10% below basic). State - 76.3%
- 2009 - 47% (21% below basic), State - 73%
4th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 46% (33% below basic), State – 73.3%
- 2010 - 53% (22% below basic), State - 73%
- 2009 - 60% (17% below basic), State - 72%
4th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 72% (12% below basic), State – 85.3%
- 2010 - 79% (11% below basic), State - 84%
- 2009 - 85% (6% below basic), State - 81%
4th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 65%, (7% below basic), State – 82.9%
- 2010 - 66%, (18% below basic), State - 81%
- 2009 - 79%, (2% below basic), State - 83%
3rd Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 44%, (33% below basic), State – 77.2%
- 2010 - 54%, (23% below basic), State - 75%
- 2009 - 54%, (25% below basic), State - 77%
3rd Grade Math:
- 2011 - 52%, (21% below basic), State – 83.5%
- 2010 - 70%, (4% below basic), State - 84%
- 2009 - 72%, (7% below basic), State - 81%
Preschool
Beaver County Head Start has partnered with Aliquippa School District to provide Head Start and Early intervention programming to resident children (ages of 3 and 5 years) for 5 days a week, five hours a day.Budget
In 2007, the Aliquippa School District employed 115 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,236 for 180 days worked.The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $1126 per pupil. The district ranked 34th of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts for administrative costs. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007-08 school year was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.
Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,248,657.00.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.
State basic education funding
In 2011-12, the district received $7,977,273 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $150,154 in Accountability Block Grant funding. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 887 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income, in the 2010–11 school year.For the 2010-11 school year, Aliquippa School District received a 2.04% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $8,303,126 payment. Midland Borough School District
Midland Borough School District
The Midland Borough School District is a public school district serving Midland, Pennsylvania in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It features one school, the K-8 Midland Elementary-Middle School. Until 1915, Lincoln High School operated within the borough...
received a 7.57% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Beaver County. Kennett Consolidated School District
Kennett Consolidated School District
The Kennett Consolidated School District,or KCSD for short, is a public school district serving portions of Chester County, Pennsylvania. It is centered on the borough of Kennett Square and also incorporates Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and the southern portion of East Marlborough Twp....
in Chester County
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided Aliquippa School District a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $8,136,818. Four Beaver County school districts received increases of over 4% in Basic Education Funding in 2008-10. Big Beaver Falls Area School District
Big Beaver Falls Area School District
The Big Beaver Falls Area School District covers the City of Beaver Falls, the Boroughs of Big Beaver, Eastvale, Homewood, Koppel and New Galilee and White Township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania...
received an 5.26% increase. The majority of Beaver County districts received a 2% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District
Muhlenberg School District
The Muhlenberg Area School District is a public school district serving parts of Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA. It encompasses the borough of Laureldale and the Muhlenberg Township. The district encompasses approximately 13 square miles. Per the 2000 federal census data it serves a resident...
in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Aliquippa School District in 2008-09 was $7,977,272.79 The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
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 Aliquippa School District applied for and received $407,557 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full day kindergarten for the 7th year and for extensive teacher training programs.Classrooms for the Future grant
The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math), along with other specialized equipment and provided funding for teacher training to optimize the use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Aliquippa School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07. The Aliquippa School District received $83,935 in 2007-08 and was given $45,413 for the 2008-09 school year.Education Assistance Grant
Aliquippa School Administration applied for the state's Education Assistance Grant. The district received $134,120. The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code.Federal Stimulus Grant
The district received an extra $1,716,512 in ARRAArra
Arra is a census town in Puruliya district in the state of West Bengal, India.-Demographics: India census, Arra had a population of 19,911. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Arra has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the...
- Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. The funding is for 2009-2011 school year.
Race to the Top
School district officials applied for the Race to the TopRace to the Top
Race to the Top, abbreviated R2T, RTTT or RTT, is a $4.35 billion United States Department of Education competition designed to spur innovation and reforms in state and local district K-12 education...
federal grant. The district is identified as a turnaround district due to the chronically low academic achievement of its students. When approved for the grant, the district will receive hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Turnaround status also brings an extra $700 per student, in supplemental funding above the basic grant amount. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.
Common Cents state initiative
The Aliquippa School District School Board chose to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.Real estate taxes
The Aliquippa School Board set property tax rates, in 2011-2012, at 32.5000 mills for buildings and 202.0000 mills for land. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property taxProperty tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.
- 2010-11 - 32.0000 mills for buildings and 198.0000 mills for land.
- 2009-10 - 31.0000 mills for buildings and 195.0000 mills for land.
- 2008-09 - 29.5000 mills for buildings and 188.0000 mills for land.
- 2007-08 - 28.0000 mills for buildings and 177.0000 mills for land.
Act 1 Adjusted index
The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise taxes above that index, unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 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 StatisticsBureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a unit of the United States Department of Labor. It is the principal fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is a governmental statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and...
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. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Aliquippa School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
- 2006-07 - 5.8%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 5.1%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 6.6%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 6.2%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 4.4%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 2.1%, Base 1.4%
- 2012-13 - 2.6%, Base 1.7%
For the 2011-12 school year, the Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Aliquippa School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is the executive department of the state charged with K-12 and adult educational budgeting, management and guidelines. As the state education agency, its activities are directed by Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Gerald L. Zahorchak...
.
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.
Aliquippa School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 nor in 2010-11. 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.
Property tax relief
In 2010, the relief was set at $356 for 2,101 approved homesteads and farmsteads. This was the highest relief provided among Beaver County school districts. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Aliquippa School District was $357 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,100 property owners applied for the tax relief. The highest property tax relief, among Pennsylvania school districts, went to the residents of Chester Upland School DistrictChester Upland School District
The Chester Upland School District is a public school district serving the City of Chester, the Borough of Upland and Chester Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania...
of Delaware County
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
who received $632 per approved homestead. 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 acres (40,468.6 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.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, so that people with income of far more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
Consolidation of the School District
The Class of 2009 was the final graduating class for the current Aliquippa High School. Beginning with the 2009/2010 school year, the current Aliquippa Middle School will become the Aliquippa Jr/Sr High School, which will house all current grades served by the existing middle and high school.Wellness policy
Aliquippa School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246. 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 ActNational School Lunch Act
The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act is a United States federal law signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1946. The act created the National School Lunch Program , a program to provide low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualified students through subsidies to schools...
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The Superintendent is required to report annually to the Board regarding this policy and the associated issues.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Extracurriculars
The students have access to a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The Aliquippa School Board determines eligibility policies to participate in these programs.By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.