East Allegheny School District

Governance

East Allegheny 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 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. The East Allegheny School Board's meeting minutes and policy manual are available in the district's website.

Academic achievement

In July 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying one East Allegheny School District school as among the lowest-achieving schools for reading and mathematics in 2011. East Allegheny High School was among the 15% lowest-achieving schools in the Commonwealth. Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012. The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district. Fifty three public schools in Allegheny County are among the lowest-achieving schools in 2011. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list, including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District. Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a partial state business tax credit for donating.

Academic ranking

In 2013, the East Allegheny School District ranked 449th out of 498 Pennsylvania districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2013. The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing math and science. The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

East Allegheny School District was ranked 90th out of 105 western Pennsylvania school districts in 2013 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for math, reading, writing and science. (includes 105 districts in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County and Westmoreland County excludes Duquesne City School District & Midland Borough School District due to no high schools)

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. East Allegheny School District ranked 88th. 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."

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the East Allegheny School District was in the 15th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)

District AYP status history

In 2011 and 2012, East Allegheny School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance. East Allegheny School District achieved AYP status each year from 2006 through 2009, while in 2005 the East Allegheny School District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.

Graduation rate

In 2012, East Allegheny reported a graduation rate of 85%. In 2011, East Allegheny reported a graduation rate of 82%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. East Allegheny School District's graduation rate was 82% for 2010.

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

High school

East Allegheny High School is located at 1150 Jacks Run Road, North Versailles. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the high school reported an enrollment of 683 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 292 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 48 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 31 classes were taught by teachers who were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind Act and 6 teachers had emergency certification.

In 2012, East Allegheny High School was in Making Progress: in School Improvement II AYP status due to receiving special exceptions like safe harbor on academic achievement. In 2011, East Allegheny High School declined to School Improvement II AYP status due to continuing low student achievement in reading and mathematics. The school missed all the academic achievement metrics in 2011. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes. Additionally the school administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.

East Allegheny High School ranked 95th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools for student academic achievement in 2013.

Science in Motion East Allegheny High School did not participate in a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the schools 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

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 53% of East Allegheny School District 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

East Allegheny 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 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 $16,490 for the program.

SAT scores

In 2012, 78 East Allegheny School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 451. The Math average score was 490. The Writing average score was 443. 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, 88 East Allegheny School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 434. The Math average score was 466. The Writing average score was 407. 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.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The East Allegheny School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 credits to graduate, including: a required class every year in math, English, social studies, science, Physical Education and eight (8) electives.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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. Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams. The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade. Students have several opportunities to pass the exam, with those who do not able to perform a project in order to graduate. For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements. 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. Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

By state orders all graduates by 2018 must have a drivers license in order to graduate high school this order was approved by the Pennsylvania School Board Association 7-24-2015 and this order does pend on your 16 birthday.

Logan Middle School

Logan Middle School is located at 1154 Jacks Run Road, North Versailles. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 655 pupils in grades 4th through 8th, with 361 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 37 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 5 teachers had emergency certification. In 2012, Logan Middle School began to enroll 7th and 8th grade students from neighboring Duquesne City School District which is in financial collapse. The school received 16 student which helped to raise enrollment at Logan and East Allegheny School District plus the district receives the state and federal funding for the new pupils over 410,500 in 2012.

In 2012, Logan Middle School declined to Warning AYP status due to missing each academic metric. In 2011, the school achieved AYP status. In 2010, Logan Middle School was in Warning status due to declining student achievement. In 2009, the school achieved AYP status. The school was formerly called Westinghouse Elementary School. In 2010, the attendance rate was 93%. In 2008-09 the new Logan Middle School building replaced Westinghouse Elementary School. Grades 4th through 6th are on the second floor of the building, while grades 7th and 8th were established on the first floor.

The middle school eighth grade ranked 82nd out of 141 western Pennsylvania eighth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by three years of results on: math, reading, writing and one year of science PSSAs.

Green Valley Primary School

Green Valley Primary School is located at. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 404 pupils in grades first through third, with 224 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 28 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 the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

In 2012, Green Valley Primary School declined to Warning AYP status due to a dramatic decline in reading achievement, particularly boys with 56% on grade level. The school achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status in 2011 through 2009. In 2010, the school reported a 93% attendance rate.

Early Learning Center

Early Childhood Center is located at 2nd Floor, West Wing, North Versailles. In 2010, the school had 159 pupils enrolled with 20 in preschool. The school employed 10 teachers yielding a 15:1 student–teacher ratio. Pre-K Counts and Head Start serves children who are three to five-years old. Eligible families can earn up to three times the federal poverty level, or about $67,050 a year for a family of four. In addition to providing child care, the programs are intended to prepare children for reading and math, teach learning skills: paying attention, following directions and getting along with others. The school provides a half day kindergarten program. In March 2011, East Allegheny School Board eliminated all day kindergarten due to high costs. It had cost the district $550,000 to provide full-day kindergarten each year for about 140 children. The District's full day program began in school year 2007-08.

Special education

In December 2012, East Allegheny School District administration reported that 350 pupils or 18.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 38.6% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2010, the District's administration reported that 310 pupils or 16.2% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 41.9% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the district administration reported that 367 pupils or 18.8% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.

Abiding by state and federal laws, the 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, 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, visual acuity, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. 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 building principal or the Director of Pupil Personnel. An Individual Educational Program (IEP) is developed for specialized services for an eligible student who needs these services. Services for students with severe disabilities are also available at Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3 Centers.

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 Special Education funding structure is through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and state appropriations. IDEA funds are appropriated to the state on an annual basis and distributed through intermediate units (IUs) to school districts, while state funds are distributed directly to the districts. Total funds that are received by school districts are calculated through a formula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversees four appropriations used to fund students with special needs: Special Education; Approved Private Schools; Pennsylvania Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Early Intervention. 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. Over identification 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 state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.

East Allegheny School District received a $1,098,918 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. Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.

Gifted education

East Allegheny School District Administration reported that 21 or 1% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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.

Bullying policy

In 2010, East Allegheny School District administrative reported there were 26 incidents of bullying in the district.

The East Allegheny School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. The policy defines bullying and cyberbullying. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying. The board expects staff members to be responsible to maintain an educational environment free from all forms of bullying. 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.

Enrollment and Consolidation

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, there are 1888 students enrolled in K-12 in 2009. There were 161 students in the Class of 2009. The Class of 2016 is project to be 138. Enrollment in the East Allegheny School District is projected to continue to decline to 1,793 in 2015. East Allegheny School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $804.26 per pupil. This ranked 193rd among the 500 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.

In 2009, a proposal was made by a local advocate, David Wassel, to consolidate Allegheny County school districts to save tax dollars and improve student services. The proposal was that East Allegheny School District and Gateway School District join with Penn-Trafford School District.

A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was 3000 pupils. Consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in the schools' communities. According to a proposal made in 2009 by Governor Edward G Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to substantially reduce property taxes. Consolidation of the central administrations into one would not require the closing of any local schools.

In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion without forcing the consolidation of any school buildings. The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration.

More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).

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

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 2012, the Board and district teachers union engaged in a contentious negotiation regarding the renew of the union's contract. A state fact finding report conducted. The report was rejected by the School Board. The contract issues remained unresolved as of the beginning of the school ear 2013-14.

In 2011, the average teacher salary in East Allegheny School District was $65,933 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $24,351 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $90,294. By 2012, the District employed 135 teachers with an average salary of $67,973 and a top salary of $130,464. In 2012, twenty five teachers in the District earned over $92,470 a year in salary.

In 2009, East Allegheny School District employed 150 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $60,655 for 180 days worked. The beginning salary was $41,647, while the highest salary was $117,835. Teachers work a 7-hour day, with one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch included. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, 5 paid bereavement days, 1 year paid sabbatical leave and other benefits. The district offers a retirement stipend that includes payment for unused sick days of up to $7,500. The union receives 20 paid days per year to conduct union business, including travel outside of the district. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.

In 2007, East Allegheny School District employed 110 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $56,052 for 180 days worked. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977. 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.

On July 1, 2006, the school board awarded a five-year contract to Roger A. D'Emidio, as Superintendent, with an initial salary of $110,000 and a 3% annual rase. It also provides for an extensive benefits package including health insurance, $500,000 in life insurance, paid travel and dues expenses and a defined benefit pension with paid health insurance until age 65.

Per pupil spending In 2008, per pupil spending at East Allegheny School District was $13,690 for each child which ranked 122nd, in the state. In 2010, the District's per pupil spending had increased to $14,557.04. In 2011, Pennsylvania's per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.

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 fifty states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. Pennsylvania's total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.

Reserves In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of -$15,296.00. By June 2012, the District had no reserves It had a deficit of -$1,965,608. 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. By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.

Audit In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the East Allegheny School District. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration. In January 2012, the District was audited again. The findings included a failure to maintain a reserve fund.

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 - $9,858.19, High School - $9,562.07.

East Allegheny School District is funded by a combination of: a local income tax 0.5%, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Pension income and Social Security income are both exempted from state income tax and local income tax regardless of the level of income.

State basic education funding

For the 2013-14 school year, East Allegheny School District will receive a 2.5% increase or $6,113,898 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $148,702 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, East Allegheny School District will receive $44,585 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. The District also receives tuition payments from Duquesne City School District. Among the public school districts in Allegheny County, South Fayette Township School District received the highest percentage increase at 5.5%. 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, Eat Allegheny School District received $6,126,316. The District also receives tuition payments from Duquesne City School District. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 includes $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which is an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. The state also provides $100 million for the Accountability Block grant. East Allegheny School District will receive $44,585 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees' Social Security and $856 million for School Employees' Retirement fund called PSERS. This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In 2011-12, the East Allegheny School District received $5,964,363 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $161,135 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.

For the 2010-11 budget year, the East Allegheny School District received a 2% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $6,543,126. In Allegheny County, the highest increase went to South Fayette Township School District which received an 11.32% increase in state funding. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was given to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was given a 23.65% increase in state funding. The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some public school districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 7.69% increase in Basic Education funding for East Allegheny School District a total of $6,414,830. The highest increase in Allegheny County went to Chartiers Valley School District which received 8.19% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received an increase of 22.31 percent which was the highest in the commonwealth. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase. 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.

The state Basic Education funding to the East Allegheny School District in 2008-09 was $5,956,693.16. In 2009, the district reported having 753 students participating in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program due to low family income.

Accountability Block Grant

The state provides supplemental funding in the form of accountability block grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses. East Allegheny School District uses its $437,360 to fund all-day kindergarten and to pay for extensive training for teachers. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding. The 2008-09 school year was the second year the district offered all-day kindergarten to its pupils. Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants. In 2009-10 the state provided $271.4 million in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all-day kindergartens.

Classrooms for the Future Grants

In 2007-08, East Allegheny School Board, applied for and received a grant from the PA Department of Education for over to purchase equipment to help reform the high school's core subjects instruction and to prepare students for future employment by using cutting-edge equipment and software. The district used the funds to purchase laptops for students, laptops for teachers, laptop carts and other digital equipment. The district also received substantial funds to upgrade our existing network infrastructure. The grant provided additional funding for a technology coach to instruct teachers in using the equipment to improve instruction. In 2006-07 the district did not apply for funding. In 2007-08, the district received $155,662. In 2008, the district received an additional $45,4133 for computers and related equipment. Beginning in 2006, Pennsylvania's Classrooms for the Future program distributed more than $150 million for laptops, interactive boards and other high-tech tools in 543 Pennsylvania public high schools. In 2009 the state funding program was terminated due to a deep state budget shortfall.

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 East Allegheny School District received $$47,711.

Other grants

East Allegheny School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell), 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

STEAM grant

In 2013, East Allegheny School District received a $20,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum and Grable foundations. The STEAM funds are to be used to support science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics programs. The curriculum is to involve students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The School administration was required to apply for the grants. Third graders at the Primary Center will design a city. Recipients include 24 schools located in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Greene County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Washington County and Westmoreland County.

Federal Stimulus ARRA

East Allegheny School District received an extra $630,933 in 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 for 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.

Qualified School Construction Bond

Additionally, in 2010, the district applied for and received an extra $15 million in federal stimulus funding for construction projects. This funding is from the federal Qualified School Construction Bond Program. In order to qualify the school district's 2007-2008 equalized millage must be greater than or equal to 19.0 or the school district must be in a county designated distressed for 2010 by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the school district's October 2008 Free and Reduced Lunch percentage must be greater than or equal to 45 percent; or the school district's average daily membership must have increased between 2002–2003 and 2007-2008 by more than 500 or by more than 10 percent. Additionally, 100 percent of available project proceeds must be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities, equipment for these facilities, or related site acquisition. In Pennsylvania, 46 school districts received more than $600 million in bonds made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Pennsylvania's allocation for the Qualified School Construction Bonds was $602 million – the sixth largest allocation in the nation. Under the program, the federal government pays essentially 100 percent of the interest on the QSCB bonds, which are issued under the recovery act's Build America Bonds program.

Race to the Top grant

East Allegheny School District officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to over one million additional federal dollars for improving 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. East Allegheny School District was identified as a turnaround school district due to low student academic achievement. This means it would receive an additional $700–$900 per pupil to advance academic achievement. 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

For 2013-14, East Allegheny School Board set real estate taxes at 27.54 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments has become a serious issue in the Commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. In 2011-12 Allegheny COunty conducted a property reassessment. Pennsylvania 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.

The East Allegheny Board of Directors offers an option for installment payments of real estate taxes on approved Homestead and Farmstead Property pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1 of 2006).

The average yearly property tax paid by Allegheny County residents amounts to about 4.09% of their yearly income. Mercer County ranked 209th 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, 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. 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 East Allegheny School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.

For the 2013-14 budget year, East Allegheny School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. 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, East Allegheny School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.

For the 2011-12 school year, the East Allegheny School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the East Allegheny 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 publisher each year 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.

For the 2010-11 school year budget, the East Allegheny School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 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 2011, property tax relief for East Allegheny School District was set at $232 for the 4,135 approved homesteads. In Allegheny County, the highest tax relief went to Duquesne City School District properties which was set at $351.

In 2010, property tax relief was set at $233 for the 4,129 approved homesteads. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the East Allegheny School District was $234 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 4108 property owners applied for the property tax relief. In Allegheny County, the highest tax relief went to Duquesne City School District which was set at $348. 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. The tax 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 Allegheny County, 60% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.

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, so people whose income is far 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.

Wellness policy

East Allegheny School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246. 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. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

East Allegheny 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.

East Allegheny 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.

Extracurriculars

East Allegheny School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is set through school board policy. The District spends $72,000 a year for athletic trainer services from UPMC Sports Medicine.

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.

Sports

High School Varsity

Middle School: