Frazier School District
| Frazier School District | |
|---|---|
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| Address | |
| 142 Constitution Street Perryopolis, PA, Fayette 15473 United States |
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| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| School board | 9 elected members |
| Superintendent | Mr. William Henderson III |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Enrollment | 1178 enrolled student[1] |
| • Kindergarten | 100 |
| • Grade 1 | 83 |
| • Grade 2 | 94 |
| • Grade 3 | 99 |
| • Grade 4 | 97 |
| • Grade 5 | 102 |
| • Grade 6 | 86 |
| • Grade 7 | 82 |
| • Grade 8 | 89 |
| • Grade 9 | 97 |
| • Grade 10 | 96 |
| • Grade 11 | 92 |
| • Grade 12 | 79 |
| Color(s) | Red and White |
| Mascot | Commodores |
| Website | https://www.edline.net/pages/Frazier_SD/ |
The Frazier School District is a diminutive, rural public school district located in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles south of Pittsburgh. It serves the boroughs of Perryopolis and Newell, and the townships of Perry, Jefferson, and Lower Tyrone. Frazier School District encompasses approximately 83 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data it serves a resident population of 8,531. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $16,262, while the median family income was $39,438[2] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[3] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[4] Per Frazier School District officials, in school year 2007-08, the district provided basic educational services to 1,119 pupils. It employed: 90 teachers, 46 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 8 administrators. Frazier School District received more than $9.3 million, in state funding, for the 2007-08 school year.
The district is named for a wealthy Perryopolis resident named Mary Fuller Frazier, who provided the struggling school district then named Perry Area with an endowment. Frazier is the smallest district in Fayette County. The district operates four schools. There are two elementary schools: Central Elementary School and Perry Elementary School. Both schools serves grades K-5. There are two secondary schools the Frazier Middle School and Frazier High School. They are connected together and are located in Perryopolis Borough. There is also a library that is open to the community and an athletic field. Frazier will open the new Frederick L. Smeigh Learning Center in August 2015 which will house all K-8 students.
Contents
Academic achievement
Frazier School District was ranked 33rd in 2010 and 32nd out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and one year of science.[5] In 2008, the school district was ranked 34th among western Pennsylvania school districts. This school has given birth to many stars including, but not limited to: Christiena Jordan, Thomas Hunts III, and Olimpic gold metalist Michal Felps made an appearance here when his parents were on their tour of duty for the military.
In 2011, the Frazier School District ranked 142nd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in student academic achievement as demonstrated by five years of results on the PSSAs in: reading, writing, math and three years of science.[6]
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Frazier School District ranked 20th. In 2009 the district was 17th. The paper describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[9]
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of Frazier School District was in the 70th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)[10]
Graduation rate
For the Frazier School District Class of 2011, the graduation rate was 92%.[11] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Frazier High School's rate was 84% for 2010.[12]
According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
Frazier High School
The high school's 11th grade ranked 37th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools based on three years of results in PSSAs on: reading, math writing and two years of science.[16] In 2009, the 11th grade ranked 42nd out of 123 high schools in the Pittsburgh region.[17]
- PSSA Results
- 11th Grade Reading
- 2011 - 61% on grade level, (20% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[18]
- 2010 - 77% (5% below basic). State - 66%[19]
- 2009 - 67%, State - 65%[20]
- 2008 - 74%, State - 65%[21]
- 2007 - 69%, State - 65%[22]
- 11th Grade Math:
- 2011 - 64%, on grade level (19% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2010 - 64%, (14% below basic). State - 59%
- 2009 - 65%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 72%, State - 56%
- 2007 - 68%, State - 53%
- 11th Grade Science
- 2011 - 47% on grade level (14% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[23]
- 2010 - 50% (1% below basic). State - 39%
- 2009 - 56%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 37%, State - 39%[24]
College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 22% of Frazier School District's 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.[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.
Dual enrollment
Frazier 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. Frazier School District has an agreement with Penn State Fayette to allow the students to attend.[27] 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[28] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[29] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $4,986 for the program.[30]
Graduation requirements
The School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 30 credits to graduate, including: math 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 4 credits, Wellness 2 credits, Arts and Humanities 2 credits (unless attending CWCTC) and electives.
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.[31] At Frazier High School the students must complete a career focused project under the supervision of the English teachers.[32]
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2015 and 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.[33][34][35]
AP courses
Frazier High School participates in the Advanced Placement Program offered by the College Board. All advanced placement courses are counted as a level 3 weighted course for the purposes of class rank only. All students taking an Advanced Placement course are required to take the associated AP exam. The cost of the advanced placement examination(s) are covered by the district.
SAT scores
In 2010-2011, 39 students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 474. The Math average score was 491. The Writing average score was 470.[36] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[37] 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.[38]
Middle school
In 2011 and 2010, Frazier Middle School achieved AYP status.[39] The attendance rate was 94% in 2001 and 93% in 2010.[40]
PSSA Results:
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8th Grade Reading
8th Grade Science:
Elementary schools
Special educationIn December 2010, the district administration reported that 168 pupils or 13.2% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[53] In particular, 23.8% of the district's special education students have a speech or language impairment. This ishigher than the state rate of SLI of 16%.[54] In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, Frazier 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 .[55] 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.[56] 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.[57] 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.[58] 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.[59] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[60] 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.[61] Frazier School District received a $664,588 supplement for special education services, in 2010.[62] For the 2011-12 school year, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[63] Gifted educationThe District Administration reported that 31 or 2.70% of its students were gifted in 2009.[64] The highest gifted pupil percentage, within Fayette County, was 3.18% at Connellsville Area School District. 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. By Pennsylvania regulation, the testing must be done within 60 days of a parent signing the consent form.[65] BudgetThe district's administrative costs per pupil were $839.12 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 in 2008.[66] 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.[67] In November 2011, the school board approved a contract with Kenneth Meadows (former district elementary principal) to serve as acting superintendent for $110,000 a year. This follows Frederick Smeigh, former acting superintendent's July 2011 resignation.[68] In 2007, the district employed 81 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $52,277 for 180 days worked.[69] 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.[70] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, paid sick days, life insurance, retirement bonus and other benefits.[71] According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year Pennsylvania public school educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[72] Reserves - In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $688,754.00.[73] In January 2011, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration. In reviewing a prior audit of certificates and assignments of professional personnel for the period July 1, 2006 through September 30, 2008, it was found that one teacher was assigned to teach one course for which she was not certified. This District was previously cited for the same teacher in our audit reports for the 2003-04 and 2002-03 school years and the 2001-02 and 2000-01 school years. The district was fined and reported to Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.[74] In 2008, the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,229 which ranked 249th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $12,443.77.[75] The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.[76] State basic education fundingIn 2011-12, the district received a $6,581,004 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[77][78] Additionally, the Frazier School District received $63,969 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.[79] 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.[80] In 2010, the district reported that 467 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[81] For the 2010-11 budget year, Frazier School District received a 3.02% increase in state basic education funding for $6,717, 566. The highest increase in Fayette County was given to the Laurel Highlands School District a 6.29% increase in Basic Education Funding. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. In the Commonwealth, the highest increase, in 2010-11, went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[82] In 2009-2010, Frazier School District received an 2.08% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $6,717,566. The highest increase in Fayette County went to Connellsville Area School District with a 4.03% 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. Ninety school districts were given the base 2% increase. The state's Basic Education Funding to the Frazier School District in 2008-09 was $6,581,003.60.[83] 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.[84] Accountability Block GrantsBeginning 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 $173,630, in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the sixth year.[85][86] Classrooms for the Future grantThe 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 2006-2009. Frazier School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07 or in 2007-08. The district received $75,926 in 2008-09.[87] Common Cents state initiativeThe Frazier School Board decided 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.[88] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes. Federal Stimulus grantThe district received an extra $1,178,753 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[89] This funding is for the 2009-2011 school years. The district reported to that 452 student received a free or reduced-price lunch in 2008 due to low family income.[90] Race to the Top grantSchool district officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant which will bring the district millions of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[91] 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.[92] 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.[93] Technology grantIn 2010, the district was eligible for a federal Enhancing Education through Technology grant.[94] The district did not apply for the funding. Other Fayette County districts received the extra funding.[95] Real estate taxesProperty tax rates in 2011-12 were set by the Frazier School Board at 13.3300 mills. 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.[96] 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.[97]
Act 1 Adjusted IndexThe 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.[102] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[103] 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 taking into account on the PSERS contribution rate.[104][105] The School District Adjusted Index for the Frazier School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[106]
For the 2011-12 school year, Frazier School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the 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.[108] 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.[109] Frazier School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[110] For 2009-10 school budget, the board also did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[111] 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.[112] Property tax reliefIn 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Frazier School District was set at $115 for the 2,432 approved primary homesteads and farmsteads.[113] The highest tax relief in Fayette County was given to Uniontown Area School District which was set at $200. In 2009, Frazier School District tax relief was set at $116 for 2,398 homesteads.[114] 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 Fayette County, 72% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[115] Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[116] This was the second year CUSD was 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 individuals whose income is 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%).[117] Wellness policyFrazier School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[118] 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 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.[119] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval. ExtracurricularsThe district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.[120] 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.[121] Vocational - Technical ServicesFrazier High School uses the services of the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Stanton References
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