Ambridge Area School District

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Ambridge Area School District
File:Map of Beaver County Pennsylvania School Districts.png
Address
901 Duss Avenue
Ambridge, Pennsylvania, 15003
United States
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
District information
Type Public
Grades K-12
Established 1971 (1971)
Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Zurchin
Asst. Superintendent(s) Dr. Joseph Dimperio
School board Terry Mylan, Scott Angus, Kimberly Locher, Roger Kowal, James Sas, Kelly Smith, Mary Jo Kehoe, Kelly Fischer, Robert Keber, Hobart Webster
Schools 5 total:
  • Ambridge Area High School
  • Ambridge Area Junior High School
  • Economy Elementary School
  • Highland Elementary School
  • State Street Elementary School
District ID 4202440[1][2]
Students and staff
Students 2,624[2]
Teachers 179[2]
Staff 316[2]
Student-teacher ratio 14.66:1[2]
District mascot Bridgers
Other information
Website www.ambridge.k12.pa.us

The Ambridge Area School District is a midsized, urban public school district in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. It serves the boroughs of Ambridge, Baden, Economy and South Heights and Harmony Township. The district encompasses approximately 27 square miles (70 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 25,022. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $18,652, while the median family income was $46,294.[3] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[4] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[5] According to Ambridge Area School District officials, in school year 2007-08 the Ambridge Area School District provided basic educational services to 2,822 pupils through the employment of 214 teachers, 197 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 16 administrators. Ambridge Area School District received more than $15.4 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.

The district operates five schools: Ambridge Senior High School, Ambridge Area Junior High School, Economy Elementary, Highland Elementary and State Street Elementary.

Governance

The 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.[6] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[7] Ambridge Area School Board meeting minutes are available in the school district's website.

Academic achievement

Ambridge Area School District was ranked 264th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2012 by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[8] The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic achievement as demonstrated on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and science.[9]

  • 2011 - 272nd[10]
  • 2010 - 276th[11]
  • 2009 - 310th
  • 2008 - 275th
  • 2007 - 238th[12]
Western Pennsylvania School District Ranking - out of 105 western PA school districts
  • 2012 - 61st[13]
  • 2011 - 65th
  • 2010 - 64th[14]
  • 2009 - 71st[15]
  • 2008 - 65th

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Ambridge Area School District ranked 217th. In 2011, the district was 165th.[16] 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."[17]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Ambridge Area School District was in the 57th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)[18]

Graduation rate

In 2011, Ambridge Area School District reported a graduation rate of 89%.[19] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Ambridge Area School District's rate was 85% for 2010.[20]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

College Remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 32% of Ambridge Area School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[25] 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.[26] 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.

High school

Ambridge Area High School is located at 909 Duss Avenue, Ambridge. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 852 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 299 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 47 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1.[27] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1 teacher was rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[28]

Local region academic ranking

In 2012, Ambridge Area High School's 11th grade ranked 69th out of 123 western Pennsylvania 11th grades for academic achievement on the last three years of PSSAs in reading, writing, math and science.[29]

  • 2011 - 80th
  • 2010 - 74th
  • 2009 - 95th

In 2011, Ambridge Area High School is in Warning AYP status due to lagging students reading skills and particularly low math achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status.[30]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 68% on grade level, (18% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[31]
  • 2010 - 71% (14% below basic). State - 65%[32]
  • 2009 - 65%, State - 65%[33]
  • 2008 - 58%, State - 65%
  • 2007 - 64%, State - 65%[34]
11th Grade Math:
  • 2011 - 52% on grade level (26% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[35]
  • 2010 - 56% (30% below basic). State - 59%[36]
  • 2009 - 60%, State - 55%[37]
  • 2008 - 58%, State - 56%
  • 2007 - 57%, State - 53%[38]
11th Grade Science:
  • 2011 - 36% on grade level (22% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[39]
  • 2010 - 37% (19% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 38%. State - 40%
  • 2008 - 26%, State - 39%[40]

Dual enrollment

The high school offers a Dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[41] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[42] The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.[43]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $42,580 for the program.[44]

Graduation project

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.[45]

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.[46][47][48] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.[49] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 105 Ambridge Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 481. The Math average score was 485. The Writing average score was 477.[50] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[51] 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.[52]

Junior high school

Ambridge Area Junior High School is located at 401 First Street, Freedom. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 430 pupils in grades 7th and 8th, with 185 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 28 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[53] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 4 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[54]

Local region academic ranking 8th graders
PSSA Results

In 2011, Ambridge Area Junior High School was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement in reading and math. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status.[56]

8th Grade Science:

  • 2011 - 64% on grade level (15% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 56% (26% below basic). State – 57%[63]
  • 2009 - 53% (23% below basic). State - 55%[64]
  • 2008 - 53%, State - 52%[65]
  • 2007 - tested, but results not made public.
Local region ranking 7th graders
  • 2012 - 64th
  • 2011 - 56th
  • 2010 -73rd[66]
PSSA Results

The school has been awarded a PA CARES mini-grant from the Center for Safe Schools (CSS), with funding from the Highmark Foundation Healthy High Five, to support implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.[67]

A Student Assistance Program is provided to support students in dealing with the pressures and problems they encounter during their academic careers.

Elementary schools

Economy Elementary School is located at 1000 First Street, Freedom. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 670 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 165 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 37.5 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1.[68] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[69] In 2010 and 2011, Economy Elementary School achieved AYP status.[70] In 2011, 80% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 89% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 58% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 89% of the pupils were on grade level with 61% achieving advanced.[71]

Highland Elementary School is located at 1101 Highland Avenue, Ambridge. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 544 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 300 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 37 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[72] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[73] In 2011, Highland Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2010, the school was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[74] In 2011, only 73% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. The third graders are 73% on grade level in reading. The 4th graders have 78% on grade level in reading. Only 66% of 5th graders could read on grade level in 2011. In math, 80% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 51% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 95% of the pupils were on grade level with 76% achieving advanced skills.[75]

State Street Elementary School is located at 600 Harmony Road, Baden. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 306 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 132 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 20 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[76] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[77] In 2010 and 2011, State Street Elementary School achieved AYP status.[78] In 2011, only 79% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. Just 68% of 4th graders were on grade level in reading. In math, 84% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 58% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 91% of the pupils were on grade level with 72% scoring advanced.[79]

Special education

In December 2010, Ambridge Area School District administration reported that 480 pupils or 17% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. In December 2009, the administration reported that 477 pupils or 16.8% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 51% identified as having a specific learning disability.[80]

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the Ambridge Area 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 .[81] 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, Ambridge Area School 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.[82][83]

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.[84] 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.[85] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[86] 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.[87]

Ambridge Area School District received a $1,920,862 supplement for special education services in 2010.[88] For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. 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.[89]

In 2009, Ambridge Area School District was identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for Least Restrictive Environment monitoring. One hundred ninety six schools districts were selected in 2008-09. The district received an alert letter from the PDE - Bureau of Special Education.[90] School districts were placed in one of three categories: Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3. The district was placed in Tier 3 due to students spending more than 60% of the school day, outside of regular education. The monitoring is a product of the PDE addressing its voluntary settlement in Gaskin V. Pennsylvania which ordered that special education students spend most of their school day (80%) in regular education classrooms with supplementary aids and services to assist.[91][92][93] In 2010, Ambridge Area School District was assigned to the Tier 3 monitoring list, due to students spending less than 40% of their day in a regular education classroom. The district received an "Alert” letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The letter identifies the data that indicated a need for LRE improvement and described resources available to the district to assist in improvement.[94]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 112 or 3.80% of its students were gifted in 2009.[95] 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.[96][97][98]

Budget

In 2009, the district reported employing 380 teachers and administrators with an average salary of $59,801. A top salary of $118,000.[99] The teachers work a 7-hour, 35-minute day with a 30-minute duty-free lunch and a daily preparation period. The teachers' contract specifies a 186-day work year with 180 pupil instruction days. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, the taxpayer pays 100% of the cost of health insurance for the employee and their dependents as well as for vision insurance and dental insurance. Teachers receive professional development reimbursement, 5 paid personal days, 12-14 paid sick days, and other benefits. The Board offers a retirement incentive that is $7,500 a year for 6 years after retirement.[100][101] In 2011, the average teacher salary in AASD was $61,761 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $16,331 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $77,062.[102] According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector.[81] The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation, including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.

In 2007 the district employed 197 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $52,435 for 180 days worked.[103] 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.[104]

The school district administrative costs, in 2008, were $597 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[105] On July 16, 2008, the Ambridge Area School Board awarded, Erwin Weischedel, a five-year contract as superintendent with an initial salary of $118,000. He will also have an extensive benefits package that includes: a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, paid travel expenses and dues and more.[106] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007-08 school year was $122,165.[107] Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.

In 2008, the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,287 which ranked 241st among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the District's per pupil spending had increased to $12,628.28.[108] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[109] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[110]

In April 2011, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The District reported a deficit fund balance for the school year ended June 30, 2009. In 2006, the District had a surplus of $2,649,573. According to the auditors, the most significant factor causing the general fund deficit was the failure to control expenditures in accordance with the general fund budgets. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.[111]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $550,000.00 and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $343,283.00.[112] In 2010, Ambridge Area Administration reported an increase to $482,166 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance and a designated fund of zero. Pennsylvania public school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.[113]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax .50%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the income level.[114]

State basic education funding

In 2011-12, the district received $10,065,910 in state Basic Education Funding.[115][116] Additionally, the district will receive $157,573 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. 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.[117] In 2010, the district reported that 1,108 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 budget year Ambridge Area School District received a 4.36% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $10,828,160. The highest increase in state funding among Beaver County school districts was Midland Borough School District at a 7.57%. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received the 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.[118] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where a district received at least the same amount as the year before, even where 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.

In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.08% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $10,375,907. Four county school districts received increases of over 4% in Basic Education Funding in 2008-10. Big Beaver Falls Area School District received an 5.26% increase. The majority of Beaver County districts received a 2% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. In contrast, Ninety (90) public school districts received a base 2% increase. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Ambridge Area School District in 2008-09 was $10,065,910.42[119] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[120]

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 $427,691 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The District used the funding to provide a longer school day/year, student tutoring after school and for implementing research-based instruction improvement strategies.[121][122]

Classrooms for the Future Grant

Ambridge participated in Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future Grant initiative during the 2008/2009 school year receiving $107,792. The board did not apply for the first two years. The program was discontinued by the commonwealth in 2009, due to a severe tax receipts shortfall in state government that was precipitated by the national financial crisis of 2008. In Beaver County the largest grant went to Freedom Area School District which got $476,723. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state financial crisis.

Environmental Education Grant

The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2010, Ambridge Area School District did not apply to participate in the funding.[123]

Education Assistance grant

The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the Ambridge Area School District did not apply for funding.[124]

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $2,277,051 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[125] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.[126] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised 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.

In 2009, the District reported that 1,020 students received a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to low family income.[127]

Race to the Top

Ambridge Area School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over $1 million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[128] 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.[129] Pennsylvania was not approved in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state RTTT application judging will occur in June 2010.[130]

Real estate taxes

For the 2011-12 school year, Ambridge Area School Board set property tax rates at 69.8390 mills.[131] 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.[132] 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.[133] When a school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.[134] In 2010, miscalculations by the Tax Board were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts.[135]

  • 2010-11 - 63.3387 mills[136]
  • 2009-10 - 61.0200 mills.[137]
  • 2008-09 - 61.0200 mills.[138]
  • 2007-08 - 58.5200 mills.[139]
  • 2006-07 - 56.0000 mills.[140]

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2010-2011 school year is 2.9 percent, but 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.[141] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[142] 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.[143][144]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Ambridge Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.[145]

  • 2006-07 - 5.1%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007-08 - 4.5%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008-09 - 5.8%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009-10 - 5.5%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010-11 - 3.8%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011-12 - 1.9%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.3%, Base 1.7%[146]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Ambridge Area School Board applied for all three exceptions (debt, pension costs, special education costs) 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. 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.[147]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Ambridge Area School Board applied for four exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: grandfather debt, pension costs, special education costs and Maintenance of Local Tax Revenue). Each year, the Ambridge Area School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[148]

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.[149]

Ambridge Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[150] For 2009-10 school budget, the board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[151] 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.[152]

Property tax relief

In 2010, property tax relief for 6,517 approved residents of Ambridge Area School District was set at $161.[153] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Ambridge Area School District was also $161 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 6,534 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Beaver County, the highest tax relief went to Aliquippa School District which was set at $350.[154] The highest property tax relief, among Pennsylvania school districts, went to the homesteads of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County which received $632 per approved homestead in 2010. This was the second year they received this amount.[155] 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 Beaver County, 64% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[156]

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 people who have an income of substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).[157]

Wellness policy

The Ambridge Area School Board established a district student wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[158] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." The Superintendent annually reports to the Board on the district's compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.[159] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The Ambridge Area School Board determines eligibility policies to participate in these programs.[160] The school district charges a $50 participation fee for athletics.[161]

In 2012, the District lost a lawsuit with its former band director which it fired in 2009. The district was required to reinstate her to the position and to pay her over $21,000 ($7,000 stipend each year).[162]

In April 2012, the school board placed the athletic director on administrative leave while it investigated irregularities with the athletics funds. In May, he retired and also resigned his position on the Cornell School District School Board. He had served as the athletic director at Ambridge Area High School since 1998.[163]

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.[164]

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  155. ↑ Tax Relief per Homestead 2009, Pennsylvania Department of Education Report, May 1, 2009
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  159. ↑ Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive, Pennsylvania Department of Education — Division of Food and Nutrition. July 2008
  160. ↑ Policy Extracurriculars 122 and Student Athletics 123. School District Policy Manual. 2010.
  161. ↑ Emert, Rich, West/North/East/South Xtra: Pay-for-play can create more woes, March 29, 2012
  162. ↑ Utterback, Bill., Beaver County Times, Ambridge Area loses appeal involving band director, June 2, 2012
  163. ↑ Ove, Torsten., As Ambridge schools check finances, athletic director to retire, May 2, 2012
  164. ↑ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
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