Fairfield Area School District
Encyclopedia
Fairfield Area School District is a small, rural
, public school district. It serves Fairfield, Pennsylvania
, USA
and covers the boroughs of Fairfield
and Carroll Valley
as well as Hamiltonban Township and Liberty Township
. Fairfield Area School District encompasses approximately 61 square miles. Per 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 7,056. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income
was $20,625 a year, while the median family income was $52,087. According to Fairfield Area School District officials, in school year 2007-08, the district provided basic educational services to 1,290 pupils. It employed: 94 teachers, 57 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 7 administrators. Fairfield Area School District received more than $4.9 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
The district operates three schools: a high school
(grades 9-12) and a middle school
(grades 5-8) in the main building and an elementary school
(grades k-4) in a separate building. There are approximately 1,300 students.
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 No Child Left Behind Act
, which mandates the district focus resources on student reading fluency and math skills.
The school district has a superintendent
and a school board. Each school has a principal and vice principal (though the middle school and high school share a vice principal).
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "D-" 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.
In 2001, the district filed suit in the Adams County Court of Common Pleas seeking an injunction barring the Einstein Academy (a subsidiary of the National Organization for Children) from operating as a charter school. The suit was later joined by a number of other public school districts. The suit alleged, among other things, that charter schools generally violate various state laws and/or constitutional provisions and could not be legally formed and specifically sought to prevent the Einstein Academy from enrolling students. The suit and requested preliminary injunctions were dismissed on 21 May 2003 by the trial court which found that the district lacked standing to bring the suit. The Appeals Court upheld that decision in December 2003.
s results in: reading, writing, mathematics
and three years of science.
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate in 2010. Fairfield Area School District's rate was 87% for 2010.
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, 40% of Fairfield Area 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. 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.
By law, all Pennsylvania high school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
PSSA Results:
8th Grade Reading:
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;
summer school credit recovery program is online. Students recommended for summer coursework receive their curriculum content online. Students will have the option to work from home or school as they complete their customized learning activities on the web.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Fairfield Area School District received a $611,435 supplement for special education services in 2010.
In 2009, the district reports employing 110 teachers with a starting salary of $41,685 for 180 days for pupil instruction and 188 days total. The average teacher salary was $53,934 while the maximum salary is $109,200. Longevity payments of $400 are added to the base salary of the teacher each year. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation. Teachers work a 7 hour 30 minute day which includes a 30 minute paid lunch break. Teachers are provided a planning period each day. In addition to salary, Fairfield Area School District teachers receive: life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, a defined benefit pension
, health insurance
, professional development reimbursement 100% of costs, 2 paid personal days and emergency day, 10 sick days which accumulate (employee pays up to $50 per month) and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day and when they accept extra duties like mentoring in the district's Teacher Induction Plan. Upon retirement or death, teachers are paid for unused sick days. Employees may be granted one (1) day leave per year for the purpose of visiting other schools. The teachers' union is granted a total of six (6) days leave with pay to conduct union business. According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
The district's administrative costs per pupil was $890.04 in 2008. The district ranked 110th in administrative sending, out of 500 Pennsylvania School Districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In July 2007, the school board awarded a five year contract to William B. Chain III to serve as superintendent, with an initial salary of $105,000. The contract includes an extensive benefits package.
In 2008, Fairfield Area School District reported spending $11,936 per pupil. This ranked 280th in the Commonwealth.
Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $596,053.00. In 2010, the district has $1,181,631 in an unreserved-undesignated fund.
In April 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Multiple serious findings were reported to the administration and school board. The audit found that a professional employee was not properly certified for her assignment which violated PA School Code and No Child Left Behind which required highly qualified teachers.
In 2011, the school board balanced the budget by raising taxes and cutting $756,727. This included eliminating a seventh grade language arts teaching position. The teacher has been reassigned to the library. Additionally, a third grade teaching position was dropped, leaving the district with three third-grade teachers, but due to low enrollment, third grade class size remained small.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a statewide real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. 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 income level.
In 2010, the district reported that 211 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 school year, the highest increase in basic education funding was awarded to Fairfield Area School District at 2% for $3,473,266. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. In Adams County, the highest increase was awarded to Conewago Valley School District
Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District
in Chester County
which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. 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 a 3.74% increase in Basic Education funding for Fairfield Area School District a total of $3,405,162. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $3,282,361.28. The highest increase in Adams County went to Conewago Valley School District
which received a 9.48% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District
of Berks County received the highest increase in the Commonwealth - an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in basic education funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase in state basic education funding. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.
In 2009 the district reported having 204 students participating in the federal free and reduced lunch program due to low family income.
- Federal Stimulus money to be used only in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding is for the 2009-2011 school years.
federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. 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 in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state Race To The Top application judging will occur in June 2010.
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. In 2010, Adams County conducted a property reassessment.
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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Fairfield Area School District 2006-2007 through 2012-2013.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Fairfield Area School Board applied for several exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index, including: special education expenses, Maintenance of Local Tax Revenue, Health Care-Related Benefits and pension obligations. Each year the Fairfield Area 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.
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.
received the highest relief allocation at $279. In Pennsylvania, the highest tax relief was allotted to Chester Upland School District
in Delaware County
which received $632 for 2009 and 2010. 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 Adams County, 74% 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 people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
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 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.
The schools' sports teams are known as the Fairfield Green Knights.
The school district has internal programs including sports, drama and foreign language. It also participates in other programs such as the Adams County Chorus, Adams County Band, and Adjudications. It also has a chapter of the National Honor Society
(IU#12) region includes: Adams County, Franklin County
and York County
. The agency provides Fairfield Area Schools, district home schooled students and area private schools many services including: Special education services, combined purchasing, and instructional technology services. It runs Summer Academy which offers both art and academic strands designed to meet the individual needs of gifted, talented and high achieving students. Additional services include: Curriculum Mapping, Professional Development for school employees, Adult Education, Nonpublic School Services, Business Services, Migrant & ESL (English as a Second Language), Instructional Services, Special Education, Management Services, and Technology Services. It also provides a GED
program to adults who want to earn a high school diploma and literacy programs. The Lincoln Intermediate Unit is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors, each a member of a local school board from the 25 school districts. Board members are elected by school directors of all 25 school districts for three-year terms that begin July 1. There are 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania. They are funded by school districts, state and federal program specific funding and grants. IUs do not have the power to tax.
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
, public school district. It serves Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Fairfield is a borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 486 at the 2000 census.-History:During the Gettysburg Campaign in the American Civil War, the Battle of Fairfield played an important role in securing the Fairfield pass and the Hagerstown Road, enabling Robert E...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and covers the boroughs of Fairfield
Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Fairfield is a borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 486 at the 2000 census.-History:During the Gettysburg Campaign in the American Civil War, the Battle of Fairfield played an important role in securing the Fairfield pass and the Hagerstown Road, enabling Robert E...
and Carroll Valley
Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania
Carroll Valley is a borough in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,876 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Carroll Valley is located at ....
as well as Hamiltonban Township and Liberty Township
Liberty Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania
Liberty Township is a township in Adams County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,063 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.2 square miles , of which, 16.2 square miles of it is land and 0.06%...
. Fairfield Area School District encompasses approximately 61 square miles. Per 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 7,056. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $20,625 a year, while the median family income was $52,087. According to Fairfield Area School District officials, in school year 2007-08, the district provided basic educational services to 1,290 pupils. It employed: 94 teachers, 57 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 7 administrators. Fairfield Area School District received more than $4.9 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
The district operates three schools: a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(grades 9-12) and a middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(grades 5-8) in the main building and an elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
(grades k-4) in a separate building. There are approximately 1,300 students.
Governance
Fairfield Area 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 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 reading fluency and math skills.
The school district has a superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
and a school board. Each school has a principal and vice principal (though the middle school and high school share a vice principal).
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "D-" 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.
In 2001, the district filed suit in the Adams County Court of Common Pleas seeking an injunction barring the Einstein Academy (a subsidiary of the National Organization for Children) from operating as a charter school. The suit was later joined by a number of other public school districts. The suit alleged, among other things, that charter schools generally violate various state laws and/or constitutional provisions and could not be legally formed and specifically sought to prevent the Einstein Academy from enrolling students. The suit and requested preliminary injunctions were dismissed on 21 May 2003 by the trial court which found that the district lacked standing to bring the suit. The Appeals Court upheld that decision in December 2003.
Academic achievement
The Fairfield Area School District was ranked 373rd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on five years of 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 results in: reading, writing, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and three years of science.
- 2010 - 349th
- 2009 - 382nd
- 2008 - 400th
- 2007 - 410th of 501 school districts.
Graduation Rate
In 2011, the graduation rate was 94%. 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...
issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate in 2010. Fairfield Area School District's rate was 87% for 2010.
- 2010 - 89%
- 2009 - 88%
- 2008 - 86%
- 2007 - 86%
High school
The high school was in AYP status in 2011, 2010 and 2009.PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
- 2011 - 77.5% on grade level, (6% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 61%, State - 67%
- 2009 - 68%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 62%, State - 65%
- 2007 - 54%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 65.4%, on grade level (15% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 62%, State - 59%
- 2009 - 58%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 48%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 39%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 44.9% on grade level (% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 33%, State - 39%.
- 2009 - 30%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 35%, State - 39%
College Remediation: According to a 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...
study released in January 2009, 40% of Fairfield Area 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
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...
or 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.
Graduation requirements
Fairfield Area School District School Board has determined that a student must earn the following credits in order to graduate: English 4 credits, Speech 0.5 credits, Math 3-4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Science 3-4 credits, Health/Physical Education 1 credit, Arts and Humanities 2 credits, Driver Education 0.5 credits and Elective Courses 5.5credits.By law, all Pennsylvania high school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.
Middle school
In 2011, 2010 and 2009, the school was in AYP status. The attendance rate was 95% in 2010. The attendance rate was 94% in 2011.PSSA Results:
8th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 82.5% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
- 2010 - 79%, State - 81%
- 2009 - 81%, State: 80.9% .
- 2008 - 81%, State - 78%
8th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 81.9% on grade level (5% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
- 2010 - 73%, State - 75%
- 2009 - 76%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 69%, State - 70%
8th Grade Science:
- 2011 - 61.8% on grade level (% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2010 - 66%, State - 57.2%
- 2009 - 59%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 65%, State - 50%
7th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 79% on grade level (10% below basic). State – 76%
- 2010 - 77%, State - 73%
- 2009 - 69%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 68%, State - 70%
7th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 68.7% on grade level (10% below basic). State - 78.6%
- 2010 - 75%, State - 77%
- 2009 - 69%, State: 75%
- 2008 - 72%, State -70%
6th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 65.8% on grade level (19% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 62%, State - 68%
- 2009 - 66%, State - 67%
- 2008 - 59%, State - 67%
6th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 69.3% on grade level (17% below basic). State - 78.8%
- 2010 - 68%, State - 78%
- 2009 - 72%, State: 75%
- 2008 - 76%, State -72%
5th Grade Reading:
- 2011 - 67.8% on grade level (14% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 67.3% of 5th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 57% (28% below basic). State - 64%
- 2009 - 52% (23% below basic), State - 64%
- 2008 - 52% (22% below basic), State - 62%
5th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 78.1% on grade level (3% below basic). State - 74%
- 2010 - 61%, (16% below basic). State - 74%
- 2009 - 67%, (16% below basic), State - 73%
- 2008 - 79%, State - 73%
Elementary School
In 2010 and 2009, the school achieved AYP status. The attendance rate was 94% in 2009 and 2010.4th Grade Reading;
- 2011 - 67.8% (12% below basic), State – 73.3%
- 2010 - 79% (9% below basic), State - 73%
- 2009 - 72% (18% below basic), State - 72%
- 2008 - 66% (11% below basic), State - 70%
4th Grade Math;
- 2011 - 88.7% (8% below basic), State – 85.3%
- 2010 - 93% (1% below basic), State - 84%
- 2009 - 67% (16% below basic), State - 81%
- 2008 - 81% (10% below basic), State - 80%
4th Grade Science;
- 2011 - 87.5%, (6% below basic), State – 82.9%
- 2010 - 90%, (4% below basic), State - 81%
- 2009 - 82%, (6% below basic), State - 83%
- 2008 - 82%, (1% below basic), State - 81%
3rd Grade Reading;
- 2011 - 73.5%, (21.5% below basic), State – 77.2%
- 2010 - 79%, (10% below basic), State - 75%
- 2009 - 81%, (13% below basic), State - 77%
- 2008 - 78%, (17% below basic), State - 70%
3rd Grade Math;
- 2011 - 88.8%, (2% below basic), State – 83.5%
- 2010 - 84%, (4% below basic), State - 84%
- 2009 - 80%, (8% below basic), State - 81%
- 2008 - 79%, (10% below basic), State - 80%
Grades online
For grades 3rd to 12th parents and students have password controlled, online access to the students grades and other school district information.Summer School
Middle and High SchoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
summer school credit recovery program is online. Students recommended for summer coursework receive their curriculum content online. Students will have the option to work from home or school as they complete their customized learning activities on the web.
Special Education
In December 2009, the district administration reported that 121 pupils or 9.9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.
Fairfield Area School District received a $611,435 supplement for special education services in 2010.
Gifted Education
The District Administration reported that 20 or 1.64% of its students were gifted in 2009. 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 should 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 may be considered for eligibility. Through the strategic planning process, the Superintendent must ensure that Fairfield Area School District provides a continuum of program and service options to meet the needs of all mentally gifted students for enrichment, acceleration, or both.Budget
In 2007, the Fairfield Area School District employed 80 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $48,956 for 180 days worked.In 2009, the district reports employing 110 teachers with a starting salary of $41,685 for 180 days for pupil instruction and 188 days total. The average teacher salary was $53,934 while the maximum salary is $109,200. Longevity payments of $400 are added to the base salary of the teacher each year. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation. Teachers work a 7 hour 30 minute day which includes a 30 minute paid lunch break. Teachers are provided a planning period each day. In addition to salary, Fairfield Area School District teachers receive: life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, a defined benefit pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
, health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
, professional development reimbursement 100% of costs, 2 paid personal days and emergency day, 10 sick days which accumulate (employee pays up to $50 per month) and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day and when they accept extra duties like mentoring in the district's Teacher Induction Plan. Upon retirement or death, teachers are paid for unused sick days. Employees may be granted one (1) day leave per year for the purpose of visiting other schools. The teachers' union is granted a total of six (6) days leave with pay to conduct union business. According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
The district's administrative costs per pupil was $890.04 in 2008. The district ranked 110th in administrative sending, out of 500 Pennsylvania School Districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In July 2007, the school board awarded a five year contract to William B. Chain III to serve as superintendent, with an initial salary of $105,000. The contract includes an extensive benefits package.
In 2008, Fairfield Area School District reported spending $11,936 per pupil. This ranked 280th in the Commonwealth.
Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $596,053.00. In 2010, the district has $1,181,631 in an unreserved-undesignated fund.
In April 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Multiple serious findings were reported to the administration and school board. The audit found that a professional employee was not properly certified for her assignment which violated PA School Code and No Child Left Behind which required highly qualified teachers.
In 2011, the school board balanced the budget by raising taxes and cutting $756,727. This included eliminating a seventh grade language arts teaching position. The teacher has been reassigned to the library. Additionally, a third grade teaching position was dropped, leaving the district with three third-grade teachers, but due to low enrollment, third grade class size remained small.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a statewide real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. 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 income level.
State basic education funding
In 2011-12, the district will receive $3,282,361 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district received $64,734 in Accountability Block Grant funding. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to uquesne City School District which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.In 2010, the district reported that 211 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 school year, the highest increase in basic education funding was awarded to Fairfield Area School District at 2% for $3,473,266. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. In Adams County, the highest increase was awarded to Conewago Valley School District
Conewago Valley School District
The Conewago Valley School District is a small, rural public school district. Conewago Valley School District encompasses approximately 73 square miles...
Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to 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...
which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. 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 a 3.74% increase in Basic Education funding for Fairfield Area School District a total of $3,405,162. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $3,282,361.28. The highest increase in Adams County went to Conewago Valley School District
Conewago Valley School District
The Conewago Valley School District is a small, rural public school district. Conewago Valley School District encompasses approximately 73 square miles...
which received a 9.48% increase in 2009-10. 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...
of Berks County received the highest increase in the Commonwealth - an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in basic education funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase in state basic education funding. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.
In 2009 the district reported having 204 students participating in the federal free and reduced lunch program due to low family income.
Accountability Block Grants
Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, All Day Kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math Coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students, For 2010-11 the district applied for and received $175,703 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide Full Day Kindergarten, increased instructional time through tutoring both during the school day and after school and teacher training.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 Fairfield Area School District received $30,471.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. Fairfield Area School District did not apply to participate and consequently, did not receive any funding over the three year period of the program.Federal Stimulus Grant
Fairfield Area School District received an extra $631,489 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 only in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students. This funding is for the 2009-2011 school years.
Race to the Top grant
Fairfield Area School District officials did not apply 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 which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. 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 in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state Race To The Top application judging will occur in June 2010.
Real estate taxes
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...
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. In 2010, Adams County conducted a property reassessment.
- 2011-12 - 9.2953 mills.
- 2010-11 - 43.9800 mills.
- 2009-10 - 42.5000 mills.
- 2008-09 - 40.50 mills.
- 2007-08 - 38.3600 mills.
Act 1 Adjusted index
The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2010-2011 school year is 2.9 percent, but it 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, rising health care costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling local 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.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Fairfield Area School District 2006-2007 through 2012-2013.
- 2006-07 - 5.0%, Base 3.9%
- 2007-08 - 4.4%, Base 3.4%
- 2008-09 - 5.6%, Base 4.4%
- 2009-10 - 5.0%, Base 4.1%
- 2010-11 - 3.5%, Base 2.9%
- 2011-12 - 1.7%, Base 1.4%
- 2012-13 - 2.1%, Base 17%
For the 2011-12 school year, the Fairfield Area School Board applied for several exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index, including: special education expenses, Maintenance of Local Tax Revenue, Health Care-Related Benefits and pension obligations. Each year the Fairfield Area 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.
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 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Fairfield Area School District was $189 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2429 property owners applied for the tax relief. Among Adams County school districts, in 2009, Upper Adams School DistrictUpper Adams School District
The Upper Adams School District is a small, rural public school district serving parts of Adams County, Pennsylvania. The boroughs of Bendersville, Biglerville, Arendtsville and the townships of Tyrone, Butler, and Menallen are located within district boundaries. Upper Adams School District...
received the highest relief allocation at $279. In Pennsylvania, the highest tax relief was allotted to Chester Upland School District
Chester 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...
in 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....
which received $632 for 2009 and 2010. 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 Adams County, 74% 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 people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
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%).
Wellness policy
Fairfield Area 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 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 district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is set by school board policies and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic AssociationPennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....
.
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.
The schools' sports teams are known as the Fairfield Green Knights.
The school district has internal programs including sports, drama and foreign language. It also participates in other programs such as the Adams County Chorus, Adams County Band, and Adjudications. It also has a chapter of the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
Intermediate Unit
Lincoln Intermediate UnitIntermediate Unit
In Pennsylvania, Intermediate Units are regional educational service agencies, established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Intermediate Units serve a given geographic area's educational needs and function as a step of organization above that of a public school district, but below that of the...
(IU#12) region includes: Adams County, Franklin County
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 129,313 people, 50,633 households, and 36,405 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile . There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 per square mile...
and York County
York County, Pennsylvania
York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania....
. The agency provides Fairfield Area Schools, district home schooled students and area private schools many services including: Special education services, combined purchasing, and instructional technology services. It runs Summer Academy which offers both art and academic strands designed to meet the individual needs of gifted, talented and high achieving students. Additional services include: Curriculum Mapping, Professional Development for school employees, Adult Education, Nonpublic School Services, Business Services, Migrant & ESL (English as a Second Language), Instructional Services, Special Education, Management Services, and Technology Services. It also provides a GED
GED
General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...
program to adults who want to earn a high school diploma and literacy programs. The Lincoln Intermediate Unit is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors, each a member of a local school board from the 25 school districts. Board members are elected by school directors of all 25 school districts for three-year terms that begin July 1. There are 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania. They are funded by school districts, state and federal program specific funding and grants. IUs do not have the power to tax.