Blairsville-Saltsburg School District

The Blairsville-Saltsburg School District is a small, rural school district that spans portions of two counties. In Indiana County it covers the Boroughs of Blairsville and Saltsburg and Black Lick Township, Burrell Township and Conemaugh Township. In Westmoreland County it covers Loyalhanna Township. The district encompasses approximately 142 square miles (370 km2). Per the 2000 Census, the district had approximately 16,000 residents. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 14,363 people. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $15,663, while the median family income was $37,257.[4] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[5] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[6] Per Blairsville-Saltsburg School District officials, in school year 2007–08, the District provided basic educational services to 1,947 pupils. It employed: 155 teachers, 98 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. Blairsville-Saltsburg School District' received more than $13.9 million in state funding in school year 2007–08.

Blairsville-Saltsburg School District
Address
102 School Lane

Blairsville
,
Indiana County, Westmoreland County
,
Pennsylvania
15717

United States
Information
TypePublic
School board9 locally elected members
SuperintendentMr. Jeffrey Soles
Faculty132 in 2010 [1]
GradesK-12
Number of pupils1786 in 2011 [2]
 • Kindergarten110
 • Grade 1107
 • Grade 2129
 • Grade 3109
 • Grade 4124
 • Grade 5121
 • Grade 6132
 • Grade 7160
 • Grade 8152
 • Grade 9165
 • Grade 10167
 • Grade 11165
 • Grade 12136
 • OtherEnrollment projected to be 1599 students in 2019
Color(s)Orange, Black
Athletics conferencePIAA District 6
MascotBobcats
RivalHomer Center
YearbookThe Blaire
Tuitionfor nonresident and charter school students ES -$8,748.32, HS - $9,764.62 [3]
Per Pupil Spending$13,927 in 2008
Per Pupil Spending$14,298.73
Websitehttp://www.b-ssd.org/
Blairsville-Saltsburg School District region in Westmoreland County

Alignment

Students residing in Burrell and Black Lick Townships and Blairsville in Indiana County attend the thirty-six acre Blairsville campus in Burrell Township, containing the Blairsville Elementary School (K-5), Blairsville Middle/High School (6-12), as well as the district administrative offices. Students residing in Conemaugh Township, a portion of Young Township and Saltsburg in Indiana County and Loyalhanna Township in Westmoreland County attend the Saltsburg Elementary School (K-6) in Loyalhanna Township, and Saltsburg Middle/High School (7-12) in Conemaugh Township.

Governance

The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[7] 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 " C-" 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.[8]

Academic achievement

Blairsville-Saltsburg School District was ranked 243rd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2012, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the reading, writing, mathematics and science PSSAs.[9] The reading and math PSSAs are given each year to students in grades 3rd through eighth and 11th grades. Science PSSAs are given to 4th graders, 8th graders and 11th grade students.

  • 2011 - 223rd
  • 2010 - 184th[10]
  • 2009 - 146th
  • 2008 - 149th
  • 2007 - 178th out of 501 school districts.[11]

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Blairville-Saltsburg School District ranked 80th. The paper describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[12]

  • 2011 - 70th
  • 2010 - 18th
  • 2009 - 55th

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of Blairsville-Saltsburg School District was in the 55th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)[13]

District graduation rate

In 2011, the Blarisville-Saltsburg School District graduation rate was 93%.[14] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Blairsville-Saltsburg School District's rate was 92% for 2010.[15]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Graduation requirements

Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 23.2 credits to graduate, including: math 3 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education 1 course per year, Health 0.5 credits, Arts/Humanities 2 credits and 2 electives.[20]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary 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.[21] TAt Blairsville-Satsburg School District the project is a portfolio that consists of a compilation of student work accumulated during grades 9-12. There are six (6) areas or dimensions of the high school experience that the students will include when constructing the graduation portfolio: Teamwork, Communication Skills (Including at least one entry of oral expression; Research Skills, Career Exploration, Use of Technology, and Analytical Thinking.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class 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.[22][23][24]

SAT scores

In the school year 2010–2011, 50 Blarisville-Saltsburg School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 456.[25] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[26] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[27]

Blairsville Middle-High School

See also Blairsville Middle-High School

Blairsville High School is a 9th - 12th grade secondary school located at 104/102 School Lane at the Blairsville campus. The middle school is located in the east wing of the Middle/High School building and shares the building with the High School and district administrative offices. The gym in the middle school is the main venue for Blairsville High School sports, as it holds more fans than its high school counterpart.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 418 pupils, with 154 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 28.80 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[28] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[29]

in 2010 and 2011, Blairsville High School achieved AYP status.[30] In 2010 and 2011, the graduation rate was 92%.[31]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

  • 2011 - 82% on grade level, (12% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
  • 2010 - 69%, (18% below basic). State - 66%[33]
  • 2009 - 66% (19% below basic). State - 65%[34]
  • 2008 - 77% (8% below basic). State - 65%[35]
  • 2007 - 71% (14% below basic). State - 65%[36]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 73%, on grade level (12% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[37]
  • 2010 - 64%, (24% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2009 - 60% (26% below basic). State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 76% (10% below basic). State - 56%
  • 2007 - 69% (18% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 53% on grade level (16% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[38]
  • 2010 - 43% (17% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 31% (23% below basic). State - 40%[39]
  • 2008 - 41% (11% below basic). State - 39%

Blairsville Middle-High School is a technologically advanced school with three computer labs, a portable wireless lab, a computer assisted drafting and design lab, a computer assisted mathematics lab, and a local area network with independent servers and Internet access on all computers.Blairsville Middle School

Blairsville Middle School

Middle School is located at 104 School Lane, Blairsville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 275 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 120 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 19.70 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[40] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[41]

In 2011, the Blairsville Middle School declined to Warning status due to lagging reading achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP.[42]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 65% on grade level (12% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 69% (12% below basic). State – 57%[47]
  • 2009 - 65% (9% below basic). State - 55%[48]
  • 2008 - 66% (16% below basic), State - 52%[49]

Blairsville Elementary School

Blairsville Elementary School is located in Burrell Township, Indiana County at the junction of Routes 22 and 119. Approximately 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Pittsburgh, it is one of two rural elementary schools in the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District. BES shares a 36-acre campus with Blairsville Middle School, Blairsville High School and the Central Administration Office. Blairsville Elementary School serves students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. It features a library, computer lab, spacious classrooms and specially designed areas for music and physical education. Each instructional area has a telephone, four computers and a TV/VCR enabling classes to have access to Cable in the Classroom and a local area network with Internet access. Teachers are encouraged to utilize all areas of technology in instruction. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the school had 224 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 28.5 teachers,a yielding student–teacher ratio of 16:1.[50] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act in 2011.[51]

The Blairsville Elementary curriculum focuses on instruction in a Comprehensive Balanced Literacy Reading Program and Everyday Math, and includes computer technology instruction, library skills, social studies, health, science, art and music through an integrated and thematic approach. A variety of enrichment, remedial and extra-curricular activities extend the basic curriculum. Some of these include, Chorus, Band, Gifted-Challenge Program, Title I Reading, Tutoring Program, field trips and assembly programs. Parents are involved in many aspects of Blairsville Elementary School. The BES School Community Council provides ongoing collaborative initiatives focusing on School-Home Communication, Reading, Study Skills and Student Responsibility. The Blairsville PTO also sponsors many diverse annual events and encourages parents to become involved in all areas of our school community. There is a community based athletic Booster Program that supports our Cheerleading, Basketball, Football and Wrestling programs.

Blairsville Elementary School

Blairsville Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.[52] In 2011, the attendance rate was 93%, while in 2010 the rate was 94%.[53]

4th Grade Science
  • 2011 - 80%, (7% below basic), State – 82.9%
  • 2010 - 83%, (7% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2009 - 86%, (1% below basic), State - 83%
  • 2008 - 76%, (3% below basic), State - 81%

Saltsburg Elementary School

Saltsburg Elementary School is a neighborhood school located near the town of Saltsburg in Loyalhanna Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Built in 1955, Saltsburg Elementary was originally known as the Willard School. Following a renovation in 1983, it was renamed Saltsburg Elementary. The school services students in kindergarten through grade six. The elementary curriculum includes a strong emphasis on reading and math with integrated instruction in science, social studies and health. In addition, the curriculum includes instruction in computer skills, library skills, instrumental and vocal music, art and physical education. Saltsburg Elementary School has access to the services of ARIN Intermediate Unit instructional and school psychological staff that includes a school psychologist, hearing clinician, speech/language clinician, vision consultant and gifted support teacher. Saltsburg Elementary School

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 356 pupils, with 176 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 26.50 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:43:1.[58] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[59]

In 2010 and 2011, Saltsburg Elementary School achieved AYP status.[60] The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 94% in 2011.[61]

PSSA results
4th Grade Science
  • 2011 - 85%, (7% below basic), State – 82.9%
  • 2010 - 87%, (4% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2009 - 82%, (3% below basic), State - 83%
  • 2008 - 90%, (4% below basic), State - 81%

Saltsburg Middle-High School

for more information, see also Saltsburg Middle-High School

Saltsburg Middle-High School is located at. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 369 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 152 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 28.62 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of :131.[66] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 6 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[67]

Saltsburg Middle-High School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.[68] The graduation rate was 94% in 2011, while in 2010, 98% of the 12th graders graduated.[69]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading

  • 2011 - 60% on grade level, (20% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
  • 2010 - 74% (6% below basic). State - 66%[33]
  • 2009 - 70% (13% below basic). State - 65%[34]
  • 2008 - 68% (16% below basic). State - 65%[35]
  • 2007 - 83% (9% below basic). State - 65%[36]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 60%, on grade level (24% below basic). State - 60.3%[70]
  • 2010 - 83% (6% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2009 - 74% (12% below basic). State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 72% (12% below basic). State - 56%[71]
  • 2007 - 71% (9% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 32% on grade level (18% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[38]
  • 2010 - 23% (11% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 41% (14% below basic). State - 40%[72]
  • 2008 - 36%, (10% below basic). State - 39% [73]

8th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 67% on grade level (7% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 69% (5% below basic). State – 57%[47]
  • 2009 - 53% (14% below basic). State - 55%[48]
  • 2008 - 60% (17% below basic), State - 52%[49]

Dual enrollment

The Blairsville-Saltsburg School District 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 and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books[75] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[76] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $556 for the program.[77]

Post-Secondary Education

Most graduated students go on to some sort of post-secondary institution. The most popular colleges include Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which is located nearby, other state-system universities such as Clarion and Slippery Rock, the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Saint Vincent College, Saint Francis University, Washington & Jefferson College, and Duquesne University. Other students in recent years have attended Juniata College, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham College, Dickinson College, Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, Colgate University, Johns Hopkins University, Virginia Tech, the US Naval Academy, Kent State University, West Virginia University, New York University, Arizona State University and the University of Colorado. Most students who do not go on to attend a four-year institution will attend a technical or other specialty school or serve in a branch of the military.

Special education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 356 pupils or 18.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[78]

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are expected to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress .[79] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These mandated screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and a review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible for services, the District is required by State and Federal laws, to seek parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department.[80][81][82]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.[83] The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district's students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student's needs accrue the same level of costs.[84] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[85] Overidentification of students in order to increase state funding has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.[86]

Blairsville-Saltsburg School District received a $1,220,037 supplement for special education services in 2010.[87] For the 2011–12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[88]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 87 or 4.21% of its students were gifted in 2009.[89] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The District's program is called Gifted-Challenge Program. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student's building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[90][91]

Enrollment and consolidation

In March 2011, district officials reported that enrollment has declined 20% since 2000, to a low of 1,766 pupils. In June 2006, enrollment had been 2,335. District enrollment declined to 1,841 by June 2010. The steady decline in enrollment has been attributed to several causes, including the district's property tax rate.[92] In May 2011, More than 18 teachers, aides and support staff were furloughed due to declining enrollment.

At a meeting on August 21, 2006, the nine members of the school board, including three from Saltsburg, voted 9–0 on a plan to consolidate the entire school district. The consolidation plan would bus students in grades 7 through 12 to the Blairsville campus. The current Blairsville Middle-High School building would be renovated in order to hold the students from Saltsburg. Blairsville students grades K-6 would still attend Blairsville Elementary, which would see some minor renovations. Students of the same age in Saltsburg would still attend school in Saltsburg, in the building that is currently Saltsburg Middle-High School, which would be converted and renovated to serve the younger students. In all, an estimated 9.5 teaching jobs district-wide would be eliminated, many through early retirement plans. The plan was set to go into effect at the start of the 2010–2011 school year.

During the 2007 elections, the first to see new voting regions decided in the Indiana County courts, a Saltsburg majority was elected, with 4 new members taking office, bringing the total members representing what is considered the Saltsburg end of the school district to 5, while 4 members remained representing the Blairsville region. Immediately upon taking office the new school board voted 5–4 to halt any consolidation measures in effect, as well as quickly hiring a new solicitor. The newly elected board members, after deciding to keep the bond despite canceling consolidation plans rather than selling it back, must determine how to spend a portion of the 23.7 million dollars. By law, at least a portion of the bonds must be used for a construction project.

Staffing

The district provides nearly 250 jobs to Indiana County. For the 2007-2008 year the district employs:

  • Teachers: 138
  • Aides: 25
  • Cafeteria Staff: 25
  • Custodial Staff: 19
  • Secretarial Staff: 15
  • Administrative Staff: 7
  • Counselors: 6
  • Librarians: 4
  • Nurses: 4
  • Supervisory Staff: 2
  • Other Service Coordinators: 1
  • Other: 1
  • Total: 247

Budget

In 2009, the district reported employing 180 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $60,737, while the highest salary was $88,945.[93][94]

In 2007, the district employed 137 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $56,311 for 180 student days and a total of 184 days worked.[95] 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.[96] The working day is limited to 7.5 hours. Teachers receive additional pay for extra time worked. They receive a daily prep period and a 30-minute duty-free lunch. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.[97] In September 2011, the School Board approved a new six-year contract with the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District Teachers' Union. It had taken 2 years to negotiate this contract. In the process a state arbitration process fact finding was rejected by the teachers' union.[98][99][100]

Blairsville-Saltsburg School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $705.71 per pupil. This spending was in the top 20% of state districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[101] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association's report, 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.[102] In 2011, the School Board voted to approve 3% salary increases for administrators, in accordance with the Act 93 agreement, raising salaries to: Eric Kostic $94,363; Joseph Baker $85,487; Tracy Richards $80,077 and Debra Shirley $85,487. Three other administrators received pay hikes under individual contracts: James Brida, director of food services, 2.5 percent increase to $57,471; H. Patrick Rosborough, director of buildings and grounds, 3 percent increase to $60,253; Leigh Free, transportation coordinator/child accounting, 8 percent increase to $58,800. Those three administrators pay 5 percent toward the cost of their hospitalization benefits. Salary hikes of 4 percent each were approved for Superintendent Whitfield to $124,800; Assistant Superintendent Ian Magness to $98,800 and Business Manager Eric Kocsis to $95,380.[103]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported $725,000 in an unreserved-designated fund balance. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $2,198,149.[104] In 2010, the unreserved designated fund had risen to $3,020,000.00, while the unreserved-undesignated fund was $2,293,802.00.

In 2008, the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $13,927 which ranked 110th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $14,298.73 which was in the top 20% among school districts in Pennsylvania.[105]

In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Multiple significant findings were reported to the school board and administration. These included: errors in over reporting Pupil Membership and teacher certification deficiencies. The lack of certification was submitted to the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality (BSLTQ), DE, for its review. On July 1, 2010, BSLTQ determined that the employees were assigned outside their areas of certification; the District is therefore subject to a subsidy forfeiture.[106]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of personal wealth.[107]

State basic education funding

In 2011–12, the district received a $8,986,660 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[108][109] Additionally, the School District received $138,671 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011.[110] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011–12.[111] In 2010, the district reported that 850 students or 46.9% of BSSD students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[112]

For the 2010-11 budget year, Blairsville-Saltsburg School District was awarded a 2% increase for a total of $9,316,471.17 in Basic Education funding. All the school districts in Indiana County were awarded the 2% base increase in Basic Education Funding. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[113]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.67% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $9,316,471. This was the highest increase given to Indiana County school districts. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $8,776,480.87. Ninety school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[114] The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.[115]

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 $376,389, in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten.[116][117]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. Blairsville-Saltsburg School District did not apply to participate in 2006–07. In 2007–08, the district received $272,239. The district received $90,826 in 2008–09.[118]

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $2,180,973 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[119] The funding is for the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[120]

Race to the Top grant

District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided over one million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[121] 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.[122] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[123][124][125]

Common Cents state initiative

The School Board elected 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.[126] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2011-12 were set, by the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board, at 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 109.8600 mills for Westmoreland County. 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.[127] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75 and 85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[128] Blairsville-Saltsburg School District includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a state board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.[129]

  • 2010-11 - 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 109.8600 mills for Westmoreland County[130]
  • 2009-10 - 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 119.7600 mills for Westmoreland County[131]
  • 2008-09 - 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 119.7600 mills for Westmoreland County[132]
  • 2007-08 - 120.7400 mills for Indiana County and 115.9400 mills for Westmoreland County[133]

Act 1 Adjusted Index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011–2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[134] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[135] The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[136][137]

The School District Adjusted Index for the School District 2006-2007 through 2011–2012.[138]

  • 2006-07 - 5.5%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007-08 - 4.9%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008-09 - 6.3%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009-10 - 5.9%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010-11 - 4.2%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.4%, Base 1.7%[139]

For the 2011–12 school year, the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[140]

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.[141]

The Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[142] For 2009-10 school budget, the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[143] 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.[144]

Property tax relief

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District was $302 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,759 property owners applied for the tax relief.[145] The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres (40,000 m2) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Indiana County, 65.17% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[146] In Indiana County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2010, went to property owners in Blairsville-Saltsburg School District. In Westmoreland County, the highest relief went to New Kensington-Arnold School District property owners. The highest property tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[147] This was the third year they were the top recipient.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently, individual with income much more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.[148]

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%).[149]

Extracurriculars

They offer nothing

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.[150]

Athletics

Blairsville has 5 Heritage conference titles to Saltsburgs 0 in football. In 2014 Blairsville beat Saltsburg 55–7 to claim its first Heritage Conference Title in football in 9 years It was 41–0 at the half. Blairsville has also beat Saltsburg 18 straight time in football. The district offers a variety of sports at the varsity level.A student wishing to participate in a sport not offered at their school can participate in the program at the other school. All teams compete in the Heritage Conference of the PIAA-District 6. (with PIAA classifications for 2008–2010)[151]

Blairsville Saltsburg Location
Baseball AA Blairsville
Boys' Basketball AA A
Girls' Basketball AA A
Cross Country AA Blairsville
Football A A
Golf Open competition Blairsville
Softball AA Saltsburg
Track & Field AA Saltsburg
Volleyball A Blairsville
Wrestling AA Blairsville

District 6 championships
Football (since 1985)
Saltsburg: 1991

Baseball Blairsville:2012 Girls' Basketball Blairsville:2012 2015

Boys' basketball (since 1948)
Blairsville: 1993 (AA), 1994 (AA), 2005 (A), 2006 (A) 2015 A
Saltsburg: 2000, 2002, 2003

Total: Saltsburg:4 Blairsville:6 Heritage Conference Championships Football:Blairsville: 2002,2003,2004,2005,2014 Saltsburg:0

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