Bald Eagle Area School District

Governance

Bald Eagle Area School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. These contracts must be in writing and are subject to public discloure under the state’s Right to Know Act. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent and Business Manager regarding renewal of their employment contracts. Pursuant to Act 141 of 2012 which amended the Pennsylvania School Code, all school districts that have hired superintendents on/after the fall of 2012 are required to develop objective performance standards and post them on the district’s website.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the Bald Eagle Area School Board and district administration a "C-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.

Academic achievement

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale reported that Bald Eagle Area School District's Wingate Elementary School was among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He also reported the Pennsylvania Department of Education had failed to take any action to remediate the poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.

In 2015, Bald Eagle Area School District ranked 255th out of 493 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking is based on the last 3 years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in: reading, writing, math and science and the three Keystone Exams (literature, Algebra 1, Biology I) in high school. Three school districts were excluded because they do not operate high schools (Saint Clair Area School District, Midland Borough School District, Duquesne City School District). The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th. Adapted PSSA examinations are given to children in the special education programs. Writing exams were given to children in 5th and 8th grades.

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Bald Eagle Area School District ranked 223rd. 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."

District AYP status

In 2010 through 2012, Bald Eagle Area School District achieved AYP status. 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. In 2004 through 2009, Bald Eagle Area School District achieved AYP status each year. In 2003, the District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement in reading.

Graduation rate

In 2015, the District’s graduation rate was 90.96%.

Senior high school

Bald Eagle Area Senior High School is located at 751 South Eagle Valley Road, Wingate. In 2015, enrollment was reported as 956 pupils in 6th through 12th grades, with 38.7% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to the family meeting the federal federal poverty level. Additionally, 16.8% of pupils received special education services, while 3.3% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 67 teachers. Per the PA Department of Education, 2% of the teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 635 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 202 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 64.50 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 7 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.

Bald Eagle Area Junior Senior High School achieved 78.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The PDE reported that 80% of the School’s students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 72% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 71% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.

In 2012, Bald Eagle Area Junior Senior High School improved to achieving AYP status, even though it had missed all targeted metrics measured in both reading and mathematics. In 2011, Bald Eagle Area Junior Senior High School declined to Warning status due to lagging student achievement in mathematics and reading. In 2010, the junior senior high school achieved AYP.

Science in Motion Bald Eagle Area High School did not participate in a statewide program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 41% of the Bald Eagle Area Junior Senior High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

Bald Eagle Area 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. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,752 for the program.

SAT scores

In 2012, 82 Bald Eagle Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 451. The Math average score was 462. The Writing average score was 441. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 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, 84 Bald Eagle Area students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 476. The Math average score was 474. The Writing average score was 454. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. 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.

Middle school

Bald Eagle Area Middle School is located at 751 South Eagle Valley Road, Wingate. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 258 pupils in grades 6th through 8th. The school shares its faculty and administration with the senior high school. The sixth grade was moved to the Middle School in 2012.

Howard Elementary School

Howard Elementary School is located at 255 School Street, Howard. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 127 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 1 pupil received a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 9 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. For the 2011-12 school year, the sixth grade was shifted to the middle school.

Howard Elementary School achieved a score of 86.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 74.4% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 76.9% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 83.7% were on grade level in 3rd through 5th grades. In 4th grade science, just 87.5% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 69% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

In 2012, Howard Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to low reading achievement. In 2010 and 2011, Howard Elementary School achieved AYP status.

In 2012, only 65% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. Third grade reading was just 69% on grade level. In math, just 78% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 57% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 100% of the pupils were on grade level.

In 2011, only 76% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 87% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 53% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 74% of the pupils were on grade level.

Mountaintop Area Elementary School

Mountaintop Area Elementary School is located at 100 School Dr # 865, Snow Shoe. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 239 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 58 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 18 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13.50:1 and 12 support and kitchen staff. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. For the 2011-12 school year, the sixth grade was shifted to the middle school.

Mountaintop Area Elementary School achieved a score of 85.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 85% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 96.5% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 90.4% were on grade level (3rd-5th). In 4th grade science, just 91% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 75.8% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

In 2010 through 2012, Mountaintop Elementary School achieved AYP status each year.

In 2012, 81% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In math, 90% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 56% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 93% of the pupils were on grade level, with 63% demonstrating advanced understanding.

In 2011, only 72% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 84% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 48% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils were on grade level.

Port Matilda Elementary School

Port Matilda Elementary School is located at 209 Locust Street, Port Matilda. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 318 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 50 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 19 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 17:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. For the 2011-12 school year, the sixth grade was shifted to the middle school.

Port Matilda Elementary School achieved a score of 82.5 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 74.6% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 87.5% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 82% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 85% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 60.87% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

In 2010 through 2012, Port Matilda Elementary School achieved AYP status.

In 2012, only 74% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade 81% were reading on grade level. In math, 90% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 56% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 88% of the pupils were on grade level with 29% advanced.

In 2011, only 82% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 92% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 68% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 89% of the pupils were on grade level with 63% advanced.

Wingate Elementary School

Wingate Elementary School is located at 776 S Eagle Valley Road, Wingate. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 519 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 129 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 40.55 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. For the 2011-12 school year, the sixth grade was shifted to the middle school.

Wingate Elementary School achieved a score of 72 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 68% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 75% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 85.5% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 85.7% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 50% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

In 2010 through 2012, Wingate Elementary School achieved AYP status even though reading skills remained far below state levels.

In 2012, just 74% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade 85% of pupil were reading on grade level. In math, 87% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 56% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 88% of the pupils were on grade level.

In 2011, only 70% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 87% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 55% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 79% of the pupils were on grade level.

Special education

In December 2011, Bald Eagle Area School District administration reported that 273 pupils or 14.8% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 40% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2010, the district administration reported that 273 pupils or 14.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.

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 . 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 Bald Eagle Area School District or contact the district's Special Education Department.

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. 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. The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. 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.

The Bald Eagle Area School District received a $1,157,713 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12, 2012–13, and 2013-14 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.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 24 or 2.21% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student 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.

Wellness policy

Bald Eagle Area School Board established a district wellness policy in March 2009. 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, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Bald Eagle Area School District offers a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals. The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of the lunch.

Bald Eagle Area School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance. Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, Bald Eagle Area School District received funding for each school through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Bald Eagle Area Junior High School received $8,865 which was used to implement the Spinning and Winning program for all grades. The elementary schools implemented a Peaceful Playgrounds walking program. Howard Elementary School, Port Matilda Elementary School and Mountaintop Elementary School each received $8,865. Wingate Elementary School received $9,870. 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.

School safety and bullying

Bald Eagle Area School District Administration reported there were six incidents of bullying in the district in 2009. The school district called in the police 23 times with 19 arrests of students.

The Bald Eagle Area School Board has provided the District's antibully policy online. 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. 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.

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.

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). An annual operating budget is prepared by school district administrative officials. A uniform form is furnished by the PDE and submitted to the board of school directors for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year on July 1.

Under Pennsylvania’s Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Bald Eagle Area School District was $46,777 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $16,630 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $63,407.67. The District employed 164 teachers with an average salary of $49,254 and a top salary of $128,784.

In 2009, Bald Eagle Area School District reported employing 212 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $46,877 and a top salary of $119,977. The teacher’s work day is 7 hours 30 minutes, with 186 days in the contract year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits. Teachers receive an additional $200 for every 5-year period they work for the district as well as a retirement cash bonus on top of social security and teacher pension. In 2011, the average teacher salary in Bald Eagle ASD was $43,804 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $18,276.50 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $62,081. 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. 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. District officials report that teacher pension costs are expected to grow from $1.4 million to $1.9 million in 2013-14, then to $2.4 million in 2014-15.

In 2007, the district employed 141 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $43,092 for 181 days worked. 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.

Per pupil spending Bald Eagle Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $680.20 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association collects and maintains 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.

In 2008, Bald Eagle Area School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,606 which ranked 210th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, Bald Eagle Area School District's per pupil spending had increased to $13,139.38 The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759. Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.

Reserves In 2008, Bald Eagle Area School District reported a balance of $581,341.00 in its unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $1,690,749. In 2010, Bald Eagle Area Administration reported an increase to $1,945,378 in the district's unreserved-undesignated fund and an increase to $2,650,720 in its unreserved-designated fund. Pennsylvania 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. In 2013, the District reported that its reserves were $6,071,788.

Audit In April 2011, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the Bald Eagle Area School District. Serious findings were noted, including administrator certification deficiencies. The findings were reported to the School Board and the District’s administration. In 2013, the District was audited again. A review of Bald Eagle Area School District’s controls over data integrity found that internal controls over its Pennsylvania Information Management System data submissions were lacking, resulting in membership reporting errors.

Tuition Students who live in the 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 Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each 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 - $9,287.54, High School - $9,138.22.

Bald Eagle Area School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 2.55%, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Private and government competitive grants provide opportunities to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Interest earnings on accounts also provide nontax income to the district. 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 level of the individual’s personal wealth. The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both are free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.

State basic education funding

For the 2013-14 school year, the Bald Eagle Area School District received a 1.7% increase or $7,854,715 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $132,405 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Bald Eagle Area School District received $123,472 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Centre County, Penns Valley Area School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 13.4%. The District has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth’s budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding. The state funded the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.

For the 2012-13 school year, Bald Eagle Area School District will receive $7,845,782. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 includes $6,516,087,000 for the Student Achievement Education Block Grant appropriation (SAEBG). 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, which are rolled into SAEBG. Bald Eagle Area School District received $123,472 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement.

In 2011-12, Bald Eagle Area School District received a $7,720,968, allocation, of state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the School District received $123,472 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $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. In 2010, the district reported that 708 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.74% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,381,909 . Among the districts in Centre County, the highest increase went to Penns Valley Area School District. which got a 5.17% increase. 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. 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 3.66% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,002,772. Among the districts in Centre County, the highest increase went to Penns Valley Area School District which got a 3.89%. The state Basic Education Funding to the Bald Eagle Area School District in 2008-09 was $7,720,967.52 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. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 660 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.

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, Bald Eagle Area School District applied for and received $335,133 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten, to lengthen the school day and to adopt research-based instructional improvement strategies.

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 2006-2009. Bald Eagle Area School District was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district received $215,494. The district received $45,413 in 2008-09. In Centre County, the highest award was given to State College Area School District which received $818,333. 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, Bald Eagle Area School District was awarded $3,750 to coordinate a Watershed Day Exploration program for fourth grade students.

Other grants

The Bald Eagle Area School District did not participate in: PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell), Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, 2012 and 2013 Hybrid Learning Grants, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

Bald Eagle Area School District received an extra $2,640,228in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students. The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years. 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.

Race to the Top grant

Bald Eagle Area School District officials applied for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided nearly one million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in Bald Eagle Area School District for 2015-16 were set by the school board at 52.8900 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. 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. Unlike other states, under Pennsylvania state tax policy, major natural gas and oil pipelines are exempted from 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. When the 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. In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.

The average yearly property tax paid by Centre County residents amounts to about 3.34% of their yearly income. Centre County ranked 438th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. 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. 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%).

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2010-2011 school year is 2.9 percent, but it can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increasing rising health care 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. In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index. Several 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. A specific timeline for Act I Index decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The School District Adjusted Index for the Bald Eagle Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.

For the 2016-17 budget year, Bald Eagle Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the District's Act 1 Index limit. Statewide 299 school districts adopted a resolution to not exceed their Act I index in 2016-17.

For the 2015-16 budget year, Bald Eagle Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit: for special education cost and for its rapidly rising teacher pension costs. For the school budget 2015-16, 310 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 187 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Regarding the pension costs exception, 172 school districts received approval to exceed the Index limit in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 119 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. No Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.

For the 2014-15 budget year, Bald Eagle Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit: escalating teachers pension costs and rising special education costs. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher’s pension fund (PSERS). For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.

For the 2013-14 budget year, Bald Eagle Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit: escalating teacher pension costs and special education costs. For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.

For the 2012-13 budget year, Bald Eagle Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: teacher pension costs and special education spending. 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.

For the 2011-12 school year, the Bald Eagle Area School Board applied for three exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: teacher pension costs, special education spending and Maintenance of Selected Revenue Sources. Each year, the Bald Eagle 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.

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.

Bald Eagle Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011. For 2009-10 school budget, the board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index. In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.

Property tax relief

In 2010, property tax relief for 4,076 approved residents of Bald Eagle Area School District was set at $180. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Ambridge Area School District was also $181 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 4,033 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Centre County, the highest tax relief went to Bellefonte Area School District which was set at $196. The highest property tax relief, among Pennsylvania's 500 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. The tax relief was deducted 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 Centre County, 72% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Bald Eagle Area residents who are 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.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and interscholastic athletics. The school board determines eligibility requirements in school policies.

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.

Clubs

Bookends Drama Club Yearbook - Aquila FFA

Athletics

District resident Senior Citizens may obtain a free admission pass from the Superintendent's Office.

According to PIAA directory July 2013