Purchase Line School District

Purchase Line School District is a small, public school district located in central Pennsylvania which covers small areas in two counties. It serves a rural region, including the townships of Montgomery and Green, and the Borough of Glen Campbell in Indiana County. It also serves the Boroughs of New Washington, Burnside, Mahaffey, Newburg, and Bell Township in Clearfield County. Purchase Line School District encompasses approximately 144 square miles (370 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, Purchase Line Area School District serves a resident population of 7,687. In 2009, the District residents’ per capita income was $12,174, while the median family income was $31,893.[5] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[6] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[7] Per Purchase Line School District officials, in school year 2009-10 the District provided basic educational services to 1,037 pupils through the employment of 78 teachers, 77 full-time and part-time support personnel, a business manager and 5 administrators. Purchase Line School District received more than $11.3 million in state funding in school year 2009-10.

Purchase Line School District
Address
16559 Rte 286 Hwy E

Commodore
,
Clearfield County and Indiana County
,
Pennsylvania
15729

United States
Information
TypePublic
Established1954
ClosedNorth Elementary School 2012
SuperintendentSuperintendent Bradley
Faculty84.5 teachers in 2010 [1]
GradesK-12
Age5 year old to 21 years old for special education
Enrollment1033 pupils[2]
 • Kindergarten75
 • Grade 160
 • Grade 284
 • Grade 373
 • Grade 493
 • Grade 582
 • Grade 683
 • Grade 788
 • Grade 886
 • Grade 9109
 • Grade 1073
 • Grade 1183
 • Grade 1275
 • OtherEnrollment is projected to decline to 900 pupils by 2020[3]
Color(s)Red and Gray    
MascotRed Dragons
Budget$18,339,654 (2012) [4]
Per pupil spending$14,022 (2008)
Per pupil spending$16,683.21 (2010)
Websitehttp://www.plsd.k12.pa.us/
Purchase Line SD in Clearfield County

School District History

Purchase Line was established in 1954, and soon after, the Purchase Line Junior/Senior High School and the present South Elementary was built. In 1976, the North and South Elementary Schools were constructed. The Jr.-Sr. High School was renovated at the beginning of the 21st-century. In 2011, the school board announced an intention to close North Elementary School.

Governance

The Purchase Line School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serving four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[8] 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 an "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[9]

Schools
School Name
Grade Level		 Address / Telephone Enrollment
Purchase Line Junior/Senior High School
Grades 7-12		 16559 Rte. 286 Hwy. E.
Commodore, Pennsylvania 15729
(724) 254-4312		 513 Students
South Elementary School
Grades K-6		 16957 Rte. 286 Hwy. E.
Commodore, Pennsylvania 15729
(724) 254-4312		 435 Students

Academic achievement

Purchase Line School District was ranked 356th 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, math and science PSSAs. The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing math and science.[10] The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

  • 2012 - 317th [11]
  • 2010 - 330th[12]
  • 2009 - 357th
  • 2008 - 335th
  • 2007 - 301st out of 501 school districts.[13]

In 2011, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Purchase Line School District ranked 22nd. In 2010 the district was 70th. The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[14]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of Purchase Line School District was in the bottom 21st percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)[15]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Purchase Line School District decline to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2011, Purchase Line School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.[16] Purchase Line School District achieved AYP status each year from 2006 to 2010.[17]

  • 2005 - Making Progress - District Improvement status
  • 2004 - District Improvement status
  • 2003 - Warning status due to lagging student achievement.

Graduation rate

In 2012, The District's graduation rate was 91%.[18] In 2011, Purchase Line School District's graduation rate was 90%. In 2011, the graduation rate was 89%.[19] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Purchase Line High School's rate was 88% for 2010.[20]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

High school

Purchase Line Junior Senior High School is located at 16559 Route 286 Highway East, Commodore, Pennsylvania. In 2010, it served 510 students grades 7th through 12th grade with 45 teachers. Two hundred ninety students qualified for the federal free lunch due to family poverty.[25] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[26]

In 2012, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School declined to Corrective Action II 2nd Year due to low student achievement in both reading and mathematics. In 2011, the school declined to Corrective Action II 1st Year status due to chronic, low student achievement.[27] In 2010, the school was in Corrective Action I status due to continuing low student achievement. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the school's administration to develop a school improvement plan for improving student achievement. They were required to submit the plan to the state for approval. As a part of the plan to improve student achievement, the school offers free tutoring services to struggling students.[28] The district is eligible for additional state and federal School Improvement funding due to the low academic achievement.

11th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 61% on grade level, (19% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[29]
  • 2011 - 76% (10% below basic). State - 69.1% [30]
  • 2010 - 69% (19% below basic). State - 66% [31]
  • 2009 - 69% (17% below basic). State - 65%[32]
  • 2008 - 70% (19% below basic). State - 65%[33]
  • 2007 - 69% (14% below basic). State - 65%[34]
11th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 66% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[35]
  • 2011 - 71% (15% below basic). State - 60.3% [36]
  • 2010 - 70%, (17% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2009 - 65%, (17% below basic). State - 56%.
  • 2008 - 54%, (22% below basic). State - 56%
  • 2007 - 54%, (22% below basic). State - 53%
11th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 57% on grade level (13% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[37]
  • 2011 - 46% (8% below basic). State - 40% [38]
  • 2010 - 44% (16% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 53% (16% below basic). State - 40%[39]
  • 2008 - 47% (8% below basic). State - 39%

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 15% of the Purchase Line 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.[40] 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.[41] 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.

SAT scores

In 2012, 29 Purchase Line School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 466. The Math average score was 484. The Writing average score was 446. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the US, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In 2011, 37 Purchase Line School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 485. The Math average score was 478. The Writing average score was 455.[42] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[43] 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.[44]

Dual enrollment

Purchase Line Senior High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities 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[45] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[46] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $1,620 for the program.[47]

Graduation requirements

Purchase Line School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 credits to graduate, including: Math 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Arts/Humanities 0.5 credits, Physical Education 1 credit, Health 0.5 credit, Technology 0.5 credit and electives 6.5 credits.

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.[48] In 2012, the state abolished the mandate for a student to complete a graduation project in order to graduate from a Pennsylvania public high school.

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.[49][50][51]

Junior high school

In 2011, there were 79 seventh graders and 84 eighth graders. In 2010, there were 88 seventh graders and 86 eighth graders.[52]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 73% on grade level (17% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2011 - 62% (24% below basic). State – 58.3%
  • 2010 - 67% (24% below basic). State – 57%[56]
  • 2009 - 69% (14% below basic). State - 55%[57]
  • 2008 - 76%, 9135 below basic). State - 52%[58]

Elementary school

South Elementary School is located 16957 Route 286 Hwy East, Commodore. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school had 414 students with 239 children qualifying for a free or reduced priced lunch due to family poverty. The school is a Title 1 school. The school employed 30 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[59] In 2011, the attendance rate was 95%. 2010 Enrollment - Kindergarten - 62 pupils, First - 46, Second - 64, Third - 63, Fourth - 74, Fifth - 61 and Sixth - 62 pupils. The school had 32 teachers. Two hundred sixty eight pupils qualified for a free lunch due to family poverty.[60]

In 2012, South Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement. South Elementary School improved to achieving AYP status in 2011. In 2010, the school was in Making Progress: in School Improvement I status due to low student achievement.[61] In 2010, the school administration was required to develop a School Improvement plan which it submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The school was also eligible for annual School Improvement grants. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the District.

4th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 93%, 58% advanced. State - 82%
  • 2011 - 93%, (3% below basic). State – 82.9%
  • 2010 - 98%, (3% below basic). State - 81%
  • 2009 - 76%, (6% below basic). State - 83%
  • 2008 - 84%, (5% below basic). State - 81%

North Elementary School was located at 5995 Fire Tower Road, Mahaffey. In 2011 and 2010, the attendance rate was 94%. In 2010, enrollment had declined to 118 students (kindergarten through 6th grade) with 10 teachers. Enrollment - Kindergarten - 13 pupils, First - 14, Second - 20, Third - 10, Fourth - 19, fifth - 21 and sixth - 21 pupils.[64] The school employed 10 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 11:1. The school was closed by the school board due to declining enrollment in 2012.

North Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in 2012. The school achieved AYP status in 2011 and in 2010.[65]

4th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 91%, (5% below basic). State - 82%
  • 2011 - 85%, (0% below basic), State – 82.9%
  • 2010 - 81%, (14% below basic), State - 81%
  • 2009 - 88%, (5% below basic), State - 83%

Special education

In December 2011, the district administration reported that 232 pupils or 22.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 47% of identified students have specific learning disabilities. In December 2010, the district administration reported that 257 pupils or 24.2% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[68] Forty six percent of the District's special education students were identified as having a specific learning disability.

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress .[69] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department.[70][71]

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.[72] 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.[73] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[74] 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.[75]

Purchase Line School District received a $798,234 supplement for special education services in 2010.[76] For the 2011–12 and 2012-13 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[77]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 29 or 2.46% of its students were identified as gifted in 2009.[78] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student's building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[79][80]

School safety and bullying

Purchase Line School District's administration reported there were zero incidents of bullying in the district in 2009. There was one incident of sexual harassment and 2 police reports were made involving knives.[81]

The Purchase Line School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[82] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[83] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.[84]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[85]

Budget

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Purchase Line School District was $57,695 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $21,540 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $79,236.[86]

In 2009, Purchase Line School District reported employing over 100 teachers and 8 administrators with a salary range of $33,200 to $104,000.[87] In December 2009, the Board awarded the teachers' union a new five-year contract with the following percentage increases: 2008-09 a 4.9% increase; 2009-10 a 4.3%; 2010-11 a 4.175%; 2011–12 and 2012–13, 4.0% raise plus increases for steps based on longevity and college credits earned. In 2008-09, a step 1 a bachelor's degree instructor received an annual salary of $36,261. At the end of the five-year contract; the starting salary will be $47,234.[88]

In 2007, the district employed 92 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,114 for 185 days worked with 180 students instructional days.[89] 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.[90] Teachers work a 7-hour-30-minute day with a 30-minute duty-free lunch. Teachers earn additional pay at an hourly rate to run programs outside of the regular school day. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, up to 5 paid bereavement days, and other benefits. The local union is given six days without loss of pay to conduct union business. Teachers with the district for 10 years or more may take a sabbatical leave at one half pay for up to 12 months.[91]

Purchase Line School District administrative costs per pupil, in 2008, was exceptionally high at $1,080.50 per pupil which ranked 45th out of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[92] 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.[93]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported $4,982,308 in an unreserved-designated fund balance. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $3,404,290.[94] In 2010, Purchase Line School District reported $5,405,353 in an unreserved-designated fund balance. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $2,938,280. PA school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.[95]

In 2008, Purchase Line School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $14,022 which ranked 105th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $20,868.89 which ranked 11th in the state.[96] Among the states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[97] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[98]

In October 2011, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.[99]

Students who live in the Purchase Line School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Purchase Line School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each public school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $10,871, High School - $12,025.[100]

Purchase Line School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 0.7%, a property tax, a per capita tax $10, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, Local Services Tax $10.00 levied on occupations, 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 the individual's personal wealth.[101] The Local Tax Enabling Act was amended by Act 222 of 2004 to authorize all taxing authorities to exempt from per capita, occupation, emergency and municipal service or earned income taxes any person whose total income from all sources is less than $12,000 per year.

State basic education funding

For the 2012-13 school year, the Purchase Line School District received $8,593,539.[102] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block grant program. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[103] This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In 2011-12, Purchase Line School District received a $7,058,542 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[104][105] Additionally, Purchase Line School District received $87,134 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.[106] 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.[107] In 2010, the district reported that 595 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[108]

In the 2010-11 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding to Purchase Line School District for a total of $7,346,739. All the public school districts in Indiana County got a base 2% increase for 2010-11. 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.[109] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.[110]

In the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.71% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,729,409 to Purchase Line School District. Among the districts in Indiana County, the highest increase went to Blairsville-Saltsburg School District which got a 3.67%. 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.[111] The amount of increase each school district received was set by the Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.[112] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.[113][114]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 797 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[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, Purchase Line School District applied for and received $256,089 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the 5th year.[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. Purchase Line School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07 or in 2007-08. The district received $83,008 in 2008-09.[118]

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, Purchase Line School District did not apply for funding.[119]

Other grants

The District did not participate in: Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, 21st Century Community Learning Challenge Grant, or the annual PA DEP Environmental Education grants.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School received a $9,959.00 Highmark Healthy High 5 grant that was used to fund Red Dragon Physical Education Program.[120] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.

Federal Stimulus grant

Purchase Line School District received an extra $2,908,897 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[121] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[122] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly warned to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top grant

District officials applied 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.[123] 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.[124] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of the majority of Pennsylvania public school districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[125][126][127]

Technology grant

In 2010, the district was identified as eligible for a federal Enhancing Education through Technology grant.[128] The district did not apply for the funding.[129]

School Improvement Grant

In the summer of 2011, the district administration did not apply for School Improvement Grant funding, from the federal government (over $9.9 million available). The high school was eligible for funding due to chronic low achievement. The grant stipulates the funds be used for improving student achievement using one of four federally dictated strategies. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or closure of failing schools.[130] The Pennsylvania Education Secretary awarded $66 million to reform Pennsylvania's lowest-achieving schools in August 2011. The funding is for three years.[131]

For the 2010-11 school year, Purchase Line School District administration applied for a School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the Purchase Line Junior Senior High School and South Elementary School.[132] The high school received $46,180 and the South Elementary School $56,180.00 for a total of $102,360.

In 2010, Pennsylvania received $141 million from the federal – US Department of Education, to turn around its worst-performing schools. The funds were disbursed via a competitive grant program.[133] The Pennsylvania Department of Education has identified 200 Pennsylvania schools as "persistently lowest-achieving," making them eligible for this special funding.[134] Pennsylvania required low performing schools to apply or provide documentation about why they had not applied. The funds must be used, by the district, to turn around schools in one of four ways: school closure, restart - close the school and reopen it as a charter school. The other two options involve firing the principal. One would require at least half the faculty in a chronically poor performing school be dismissed. The second involves intensive teacher training coupled with strong curriculum revision or a longer school day.[135]

In 2009-10, Purchase Line School District received $80,676 for the Junior Senior High School and $80,676 for the South Elementary School in School Improvement Grant funds.

Common Cents state initiative

Purchase Line School Board chose to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[136] 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 2012-13 were set by the school board at 85.8100 mills for residents in Indiana County and 85.8100 mills for residents in Clearfield 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.[137] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[138] The 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.[139] In 2010, miscalculations by the board were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted state funding for many public school districts.[140]

  • 2011-12 - 85.8100 mills for residents in Indiana County and 74.9100 mills for residents in Clearfield County
  • 2010-11 - 85.8000 mills for residents in Indiana County and 75.2000 mills for residents in Clearfield County.[141]
  • 2009-10 - 85.1700 mills for residents in Indiana County and 76.7100 mills for residents in Clearfield County.[142]
  • 2008-09 - 85.1700 mills for residents in Indiana County and 76.2200 mills for residents in Clearfield County.[143]
  • 2007-08 - 84.7500 mills for residents in Indiana County and 77.4300 mills for residents in Clearfield County.[144]
  • 2006-07 - 80.9500 mills for residents in Indiana County and 76.4800 mills for residents in Clearfield County.
  • 2005-06 - 115.9300 mills for residents in Indiana County and 75.9500 mills for residents in Clearfield County.

According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.[145] The average yearly property tax paid by Clearfield County residents amounts to about 2.83% of their yearly income. Clearfield County is ranked 707th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. The average yearly property tax paid by Indiana County residents amounts to about 3.0% of their yearly income. Indiana County is ranked 596th.[146]

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.[147] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[148] 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.[149][150]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Purchase Line School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[151]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Purchase Line School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[154]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Purchase Line School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Purchase Line 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.[155]

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.[156]

Purchase Line School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[157] For 2009-10 school budget, the board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[158] 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.[159]

Property tax relief

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Purchase Line School District was $181 per approved permanent primary residence. In the Purchase Line School District, 1,570 property owners applied for the tax relief.[160] 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.[161] In Indiana County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2010, went to property owners in Blairsville-Saltsburg School District at $302. The highest property tax relief awarded in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[162] 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.[163]

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%).[164]

Enrollment

According to Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment reports, there are 1,060 students enrolled in K-12 in 2009–10 school year at Purchase Line School District. There were 97 students in the Class of 2006. The district's class of 2010 had 75 students. Enrollment is projected to decline to 940 students by 2020. <[165] In 2008, the district administrative costs were well over $1000 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[166] A study of Pennsylvania public school spending, conducted by Standard and Poor's, examined the consolidation of Purchase Line School Administration with 4 neighboring districts: Harmony Area School District, Marion Center Area School District, Northern Cambria School District and Penns Manor Area School District. The study found that consolidation of the Purchase Line School District Administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings which varied by district.[167]

According to a 2009 school district administration consolidation proposal by Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to reduce property taxes.[168] Consolidation of two central administrations into one would not require the closing of any schools. The Governor's proposal called for the savings to be redirected to improving lagging reading and science achievement, to enriching the academic programs or to reducing residents' property taxes.[169]

Since 2000 rural Pennsylvania school enrollment have experienced an enrollment decrease of 8 percent.[170] As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools continue to rise. In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants released a report finding that the state would save hundreds of millions of tax dollars, by cutting the number of school administrations in half through consolidation, with no impact on programs offered to students.[171]

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[172] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[173]

Extracurriculars

Purchase Line School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and a costly and extensive sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (PIAA).

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.[174]

Sports

The District funds:

Junior high school sports

According to PIAA directory July 2012 [175]

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