Midd West School District

History

Midd-West School District was founded in 1970 after the merger of the former West Snyder Area and Middleburg Area School Districts. Two high schools had been maintained despite declining enrollment and significant fiscal challenges. In the 2004-2005 school year, Middleburg High School and West Snyder High School were united to form Midd-West High School. The Midd-West School Board voted to realign the District in response to declining enrollment and education program changes, closing 2 elementary schools, at the end of the 2011-12 school year. Midd-West School District formerly operated six schools: West Beaver Elementary School, Perry-West Perry Elementary School, Middleburg Elementary School, West Snyder Middle School, Middleburg Middle School, and Midd-West High School. Beaver Adams School and Penns Creek School were closed years ago.

Having consolidated two elementary schools, in 2005 the District sold the Penns Creek and Beaver Adams elementary schools via public auction. A five-year employment contract was agreed upon with the District's teachers union in August 2004. In May 2016 the board and local teacher's union(MWEA)agreed on a 4-year contract in which 2 years were retroactive going back to 2014.

Governance

Midd-West 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 (renamed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in December 2015) which mandates the district focus its resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The school board is required by state law to post a financial report on the district in its website by March of each school year.

The Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. 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 regarding renewal of the employment contract.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the 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. 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.

In November 2013, Wesley L. Knapp, M.ED ($113,850 in 2009) abruptly resigned his position in exchange for the Midd-West School Board dropping pending charges. The Board offered no explanation regarding the departure, however Knapp received a substantial cash payout ($60,682 plus another $10,000 to be paid over six months). The Board appointed Daphne Snook as acting Superintendent pending the hiring of a new superintendent. In April 2014, the Board suspended Daphne Snook pending the results of a criminal investigation into her reading School Board confidential emails. The Midd-West School Board approved $200 per day as salary for Donna Samuelson as Interim Superintendent starting April 15, 2014. In early May 2014, the Snyder County District Attorney, Michael Piecuch, reported his investigation found insufficient evidence to file criminal charges against Snook. Piecuch noted that Snook did access emails she was directed to not open, referring the matter as a District personnel issue.

A citizen group filed a petition in Snyder County Court, to remove school board member and former board president, Nancy Kroh, alleging misconduct. Subsequently, two more petitions were filed with Snyder County Court, to remove Midd-West Board President Victor Abate and director Ronald Wilson for neglect of duty. In March 2014, School Board member Scott Norman resigned after three months on the Midd-West School Board. He had sought to the post in 2013. In June 2014, the petitions to remove Board members: Abate and Wilson were dismissed by Snyder County Judge Michael T. Hudock. The petition against board member Nancy Kroh was also dismissed by the judge.

In May 2014, Midd-West School Board unanimously chose Christopher Nesbit as the new Board member to replace the recently resigning member. Nesbit received 1,101 votes in a write-in campaign for the Midd-West School Board in November 2013.

In December 2015, the Board voted 7-2 to not renew the five year employment contract of District Business Manager, Lynn Naugle.

Graduation rate

In 2015, Midd-West School District reported an 83.91% graduation rate.

The percentage of students that are continuing their education beyond high school in 2005 was 60%.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Midd-West School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25 credits to graduate, including: a required class every year in math, English, social studies, science, Physical Education and electives.

To be eligible to graduate, students in grades 9 through 12 shall successfully complete a minimum of 25 credits: three credits in mathematics that include algebra, geometry and one other math credit; three credits in science to include biology, chemistry, and physics; three credits in social studies that include world cultures, American cultures, and American government; four credits in English with a class taken each year; two classes in arts and/or humanities; one course in health education; a planned course in physical education for each year; and planned courses in approved electives as needed to meet the total number of credits required for graduation.

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.

In accordance with the State Board of Education regulations, students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can 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.

Curriculum and assessments

The curriculum is under revision to align it with the 1999 Pennsylvania Academic Standards. These standards are assessed in the third through eighth grades and eleventh grades under the guise of the PSSAs. These tests cover critical skills in: reading, writing, speaking and mathematics. In 2007, science was added to the state's assessment protocol.

Academic achievement

In 2016, Midd-West School District ranked 341st 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 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Midd-West School District ranking declined to 357th. In 2011, the district was 280th. 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 2010, the Midd-West School District ranked 254th, while in 2009 it ranked 253rd.

In 2009, Midd-West School District student academic achievement was in the 40th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts. (0-99; 100 is state best)

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale reported that one school in the District, Midd_West High School, was among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The report noted the Pennsylvania Department of Education failed to take any action to remediate the poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.

High school

Midd-West High School is located at 540 E Main Street, Middleburg. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 787 pupils in 8th through 12th grades, with 40% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 12% of pupils received special education services, while 3% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 52 teachers. Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

In 2013, Midd-West High School enrollment was 795 students in grades 8th through 12th, with 39% coming from a low income home. Additionally, 13.9% of pupils received special education services, while 2.6% were identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act in 2013.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Midd-West High School reported an enrollment of 621 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 239 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 60 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. In 2012, 10 teachers were rated "Non Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Unqualified teachers remain at the school in 2013.

Midd-West High School Keystone Exams mandated testing results were: 85.7% of students were on grade level in reading.literature and 73.5% of students demonstrated on grade level in Algebra I. In Biology I, 48.8% of pupils demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the Biology course. The requirement that pupils pass the Keystone Exams in reading, algebra I and bIology I in order to graduate was postponed until 2019 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly because less than 60% of 12 grade pupils statewide would have been eligible for graduation from high school due to failing one or more Keystone Exams.

Additionally, 45.3% of 8th grade students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2016. In math/Algebra 1, 28.5% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 44.6% of the school’s 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported.

Midd-West High School achieved 73.5 out of 100. The PDE reported that 79% of students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, 70% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 56% 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.

The PDE reported that 55% of 8th grade students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, 36% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 57% of the school’s 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported.

Midd-West High School achieved 68.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 81% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 72% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, only 57% showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 74% of 8th graders demonstrated on grade level writing skills. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

Midd-West High School achieved 76.3 out of 100. In reading/literature - 78% were on grade level. In Math/Algebra 1, 77% showed on grade level skills. In Biology/Science, 56.8% showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 73.8% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level writing skills. Midd-West Middle School's grade was withheld until December, at the request of the District's administration, until disputes on scores are resolved. The School Performance Profile reflects: on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement, graduation rate, participation in certain courses.

In July 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released a report identifying Midd-West High School as one of the lowest-achieving schools for reading and mathematics in 2011. Midd-West High School was on the 15% lowest-achieving schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 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. Midd-West High School was the sole school in Snyder County on the list. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, seven 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 and Steelton-Highspire School District. Funding foe the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

In 2014-15, Midd-West High School was no longer on the lowest achievement list.

AYP History

In 2012, Midd-West High School declined further to School Improvement Level I Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to persistent low student achievement in both reading and mathematics. In 2011, Midd-West High School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in both reading and mathematics. In 2010, Midd-West High School achieved AYP under the federal No Child Left Behind law. In 2009, Midd-West High School was in Warning status due to low student achievement in reading and mathematics.

11th grade Science:

Midd-West Middle School

Midd-West Middle School is located at 10 Dock Hill Road, Middleburg. In 2014, enrollment declined to 321 pupils, in grades 6th and 7th, with 45% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 15% of pupils received special education services, while 7.5% of pupils were identified as gifted.

In 2013, Midd-West Middle School reported an enrollment of 347 pupils, with 50% of its pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 14.6% of pupils received special education services, while 6.6% of pupils were identified as gifted. According to a 2013 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.

In May 2012, the Midd-West School Board voted to reconfigure the building's use in the District, changing the grades at the building to 6th and 7th. The School was renamed Midd-West MIddle School.

Midd-West Middle School PSSA mandated testing results were: 54.5% of students in 7th grade were on grade level in reading while 32.9% of students demonstrated on grade level in mathematics. In sixth grade, 52.2% of pupils demonstrated on grade level reading skills and 36.1% were on grade level in mathematics.

In 7th grade, 54% were on grade level in reading, while 47% showed on grade level math skills. Among 6th graders, just 42% were on grade level in reading and 28% were on grade level in mathematics. Statewide 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Among sixth (6th) graders, 60.7% were reading on grade level, while 39.7% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Statewide 61.9% of fifth (5th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 42.8% demonstrated on grade level math skills.

Midd-West Middle School achieved 86.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 70% were on grade level. In Mathematics, 83% showed on grade level mathematics skills.

Midd-West Middle School achieved 84 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics achievement. In reading, just 67.5% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics, only 79% of the students showed on grade level skills.

In 2013, Midd-West School District did not implement a state dropout prevention Early Warning System and Interventions Catalog at the middle school. The process identifies students at risk for droping out by examining the pupil’s: attendance, behavior and course grades. Interventions are implemented to assist at-risk pupils to remain in school. The program is funded by federal and private dollars.

Middleburg Elementary School

Middleburg Elementary School is located 600 Wagenseller Street, Middleburg. In 2014, the School's enrollment was 661 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 47% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 17.5% of the pupils receive special education services, while 2.5% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full day kindergarten. The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 558 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 48% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school student-teacher ratio was 15:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.

Middleburg Elementary School PSSA mandated testing results were: 65.5% of students in 5th grade were on grade level in reading, while 51.7% of students demonstrated on grade level mathematics skills. In 4th grade, 51.3% were on grade level in reading, while 34% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 65.1% of fourth grade pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding of science concepts in the state standards. Among the school's third graders, 55.9% were on grade level in reading and 57.4% showed on grade level mathematics skills.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 55% of 5th grade students at Middleburg Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 38% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 66% were on grade level in reading, while 38% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 77% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 62% were on grade level in reading and 42% were on grade level in mathematics. Statewide 61.9% of fifth (5th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 42.8% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 4th graders were 58.6% on grade level in reading and 44.4% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 77.3% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among Pennsylvania third (3rd) graders, 62% were reading on grade level, while 48.5% demonstrated on grade level math skills.

Middleburg Elementary School achieved a score of 75 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 66.7% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 76% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 69.9% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 79% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 62% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

Middleburg Elementary School achieved 73 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 61.79% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In math, 74.9% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, just 74.5% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 59% of pupils were on grade level.

Middleburg Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to low reading achievement and low mathematics achievement. The School missed all metrics measured. Middleburg Elementary School achieved Adequate yearly Progress (AYP) status in both 2010 and 2011. The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2011. Report Card 2010 [2] | Report Card 2009 [3] | Report Card 2008 [4] | Report Card 2007 [5]

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing.

West Snyder Elementary School

West Snyder Elementary School is located at 645 Snyder Avenue, Beaver Springs. In 2014, the School's enrollment was 380 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 58% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 16% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full day kindergarten. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school opened in July 2012. In September 2014, Midd-West School board announced its intentions to make extensive renovations to the building. The building formerly served as a middle school.

West Snyder Elementary School PSSA mandated testing results were: 75.9% of students in 5th grade were on grade level in reading, while 46.3% of students demonstrated on grade level mathematics skills. In 4th grade, 60.8% were on grade level in reading, while 39.1% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 83.9% of fourth grade pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding of science concepts in the state standards. Among the school's third graders, 62.5% were on grade level in reading and 55.4% showed on grade level mathematics skills.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 65% of 5th grade students at West Snyder Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 41% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 58% were on grade level in reading, while 31% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 67% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 63% were on grade level in reading and 41% were on grade level in mathematics.

West Snyder Elementary School achieved a score of 77.2 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 64% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 66% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 68.8% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 78% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 84.6% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

Kindergarten and preschool

The district has committed to offering all-day kindergarten beginning in 2010. in 2012, the District received a state grant from the Office of Child Development and Early learning, to establish a taxpayer funded, free preschool for up to 16 children who are 3 to 4 years old. The full day PreK Counts classes was offered at West Snyder Elementary School during the school year. The District will provide transportation.

Special education

In December 2015, Midd-West School District administration reported that 355 pupils or 16.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 47.3% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. In 2007, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak testified before the Pennsylvania House Education Committee regarding full day kindergarten. He claimed that districts which offered the program would see a significant decrease in special education students due to early identification and early intervention. He asserted the high cost of full day kindergarten would be recouped by Districts in lower special education costs. Midd-West School District provides full day kindergarten. The District has seen a steady increase in the percentage of special education students it serves, yielding no savings.

In 2013, the District administration reported that 338 pupils or 15.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 47% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. In 2012, the District administration reported that 348 pupils or 15.7% of students received Special Education services, with 48% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In 2009, Midd-West School District administration reported that 374 pupils received Special Education services.

The Midd-West School District has procedures to identify children needing special education. Screening of children is conducted for hearing, vision, motor skills, and speech and language. If a disability is suspected, teachers, other school personnel, or parents may refer a child for an evaluation. Parents suspecting that their child may have a disability and needs special education or early intervention services can request a screening or an evaluation by contacting the superintendent's office. The IDEA 2004 requires each school entity to publish a notice to parents, in newspapers or other media, including the student handbook and website regarding the availability of screening and intervention services and how to access them.

Students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) may take the PSSA-M an alternative math exam rather than the PSSA. Some special education students may take the PASA (Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment), rather than the PSSA. Schools are permitted to provide accommodations to some students.

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving 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.

Midd-West School District received a $1,352,514 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

The District Administration reported that 51 or 2.33% of its students were identified as 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.

Budget and taxes

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.

The Midd-West School District budget was set at $26.17 million for 2007-2008. In May 2007, voters rejected a referendum to increase the local earned income tax 0.5 percent in exchange for a $166 property tax rebate.

Land purchase The school board voted to purchase 2 parcels of land totaling 80 acres (320,000 m²) for $1 million. That land is intended to replace 8 acres (32,000 m²) of land that were primarily used for athletics. Athletic fields had been lost in the renovations of the high school building.

In 2013, the average teacher salary in Midd-West School District was $58,109 a year. The District employed 202 teachers with a top salary of $118,404. Pennsylvania teacher salaries (2013–14) are searchable in a statewide database provided by TribLive News. Midd-West School District teacher and administrator retirement benefits are equal to at least 2.00% x Final Average Salary x Total Credited Service. (Some teachers benefits utilize a 2.50% benefit factor.) After 40 years of service, Pennsylvania public school teachers and administrators can retire with 100% of the average salary of their final 3 years of employment. 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. In 2014-15, Pennsylvania public school district mandated teacher pension contribution rose to 21.40% of employee salaries and in 2015-16 it rose again to 25.84% of total salaries.

In 2012, the average teacher salary in Midd-West School District was $51,630.28 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $15,466.37 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $67,096. In 2011, the District employed 188 teachers with an average salary of $53,897 and a top salary of $113,850.

In May 2011, the administration and teachers agreed to a pay freeze for one year. It was to save the district over $579,000. The freeze was part of an effort to close a $3.7 million deficit in the proposed budget. In June 2011, the board adopted a $30.18 million budget. The board also eliminated the adult agriculture education program and furloughed the coordinator. They set a 4-day work schedule for the summer months, expecting to save $10,000 on utilities.

In 2009, the Midd-West School District employed over 180 teachers with a salary range of $37,000 to $110,000.

In 2007, the district employed 165 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $47,237 for 180 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. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, paid sick days, a retirement bonus and other benefits. According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.

In 2008, Midd-West School District administration reported spending $10,577 per pupil which ranked 433rd out of 500 school districts. In 2010, the District’s per pupil spending had increased to $13,747.86 ranking 237th in the Commonwealth. In 2013, Midd-West per pupil spending was reported as $12,717.91.

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.

The Midd-West School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $712.29 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In December 2008, the School Board awarded a contract to Wesley Knapp, as superintendent, with an initial salary of $110,00 plus an extensive benefits package that includes: life insurance, pension, health insurance and more. He is the 12th superintendent at the district since 1989. From July 2007 to December 2008, the district had two superintendents and two acting superintendents. The average time for a superintendent to remain in a school district in Pennsylvania is about six years, says Stinson Stroup, executive director of Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, a private, nonprofit organization that focuses on the professional development of school superintendents.

In May 2014, former acting Superintendent, Daphne Snook, filed suit against the school board and the district's solicitor for $75,000 in damages regarding her suspension during a criminal investigation. The investigation involved her using the district's email system to read school board member emails on personnel issues. The emails were focused on the hiring of a new superintendent. Snook intended to apply for that position. The investigation concluded with the county district attorney filing no criminal charges. In her suit, Snook admitted to reading the private communications between the board members.

Reserves In 2008, the Midd-West School District reported a balance of $4,585,000, in its unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $5,557,234. In 2012, Midd-West School District Administration reported a decrease to $1,985,000 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The District also reported $2,817644 in its unreserved-designated fund in 2012. 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.

In April 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the Midd-West School District. Findings were reported to the school board and administration. In June 2011, Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner conducted a performance audit of the District. The findings were reported to the School Board and the District’s administration. In 2014, the state once again audited the district and found a teacher who lacked certification was working in the district.

Tuition Students who live in the Midd-West School District 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 Midd-West 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 Midd-West School District schools. The 2012 tuition rates were Elementary School - $8,107.13, High School - $9,626.31.

Tax assessment appeal In 2015, Lozier Corp. a local shelving manufacturing business, successfully appealed its property tax assessment thereby lowering its property tax bill to the school district by $18,116 a year. The ressessment lower the value of the property by more than 50%.

Midd-West School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.8% (third highest in the Commonwealth), a property tax, per capita taxes - $10 per person, a real estate transfer tax, grants, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a small amount, generally 10% of its budget from the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Interest earnings on reserve 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 exempted from Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Midd-West School District receives 47.2% of its annual District revenue from the state.

For the 2016-17 school year, Midd-West School District received $8,786,017 in Basic Education Funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This is a 3.5% increase over 2015-16 funding to the District. For the 2016-17 school year, Pennsylvania increased its public education spending to a new record high of $5,895 billion. It was a $200 million increase, 3.51% increase over the 2015-16 appropriation. The state also funded Ready to Learn grants at $250 million and Special Education funding received a $20 million increase. The state also paid $492 million to the school employee social security fund and another $2.064 billion to the teacher’s pension fund. Statewide Conestoga Valley School District received a 13.3% increase in state BEF funding. Five PA public school districts received an increase of 10% or greater in Basic Education funding over their 2015-16 funding.

For the 2015-16 school year, Governor Tom Wolf released a partial Basic Education Funding of $4,091,754 to Midd-West School District, in January 2016. This was part of $10.3 billion in school funding withheld from the public school, by the Governor since the summer of 2015. The dispersment did not follow the new Basic Education Funding formula which had been established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 2015. Ten (10) Pennsylvania school districts received no increase in Basic Eductaion funding under Governor Wolf.

In April 2016, Governor Wolf announced his finalized dispersement of 2015-16 state Basic Education Funding. Midd-West School District received a 2.03% increase for a total funding of $8,394,987. This is $95,329 less than the District was to receive by law under the state’s Fair Funding Formula approved in 2015. Four hundred and twenty-eight (428) Pennsylvania public school districts received less money under Governor Wolf’s plan. Wolf also altered the Ready to Learn Grant distribution. The District received another $342,014 in Ready To Learn grant which was $37,602 less than it would have received under the approved state formula for distribution.

The highest increase in funding statewide was awarded by Governor Wolf to Wilkinsburg Borough School District which got a 44.1% increase in state Basic Education Funding. The average BEF increase among the Commonwealth’s 500 public school districts for 2015-16 was 2.21%. The Pennsylvania education budget was $5.93 billion for basic education, a $200 million or 3.5 percent increase over 2014-15 allocation. Another $1.08 billion was allotted for special education funding, a $30 million or 2.9 percent increase over 2014-15. Additionally, the state paid over $500 million towards school employee social security payments and over $1 billion to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).

In compliance with a legislative mandate that was passed with veto proof majorities in the PA House and Senate, the final BEF funding was determined for 2015-16, in April 2016. Midd-West School District received an increase to $8,490,640 in Basic Education Funds for the 2015-16 school year. This was a 2.73% increase yielding a $225,637 increase over the previous school year state funding. The District also received $298,204 in Ready to Learn funding from the state.

For the 2014-15 school year, Midd-West School District received $8,265,125 in State Basic Education funding. The District also received $149,409 in Accountability Block Grant funding and $149,795 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State’s enacted Education Budget included $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-2015 Basic Education Funding. The Education budget also includes Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system (PSERS). In total, Pennsylvania’s Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013-2014 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.

For the 2013-14 school year, the Midd-West School District received a 1.9% increase or $8,255,583 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding (BEF). This is $151,014 more than its 2012-2013 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Midd-West School District received $149,409 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Allegheny County, South Fayette Township School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF 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.

In the 2012-13 school year, Midd-West School District received $8,252,978 in state basic education funding. 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. Midd-West School District received $149,409 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement. 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 Midd-West School District received $8,104,569 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, Midd-West School District received $148,409 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 was 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.

For the 2010-11 school year, Midd-West School District received a 3.40% increase for a total of $8,765,344 in Basic Education Funding. One hundred fifty school districts received a 2% increase in Basic Ed funding. Fifteen school districts received an increase above 10%. The highest increase went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which was allotted a 23.65% increase in 2010-2011. 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 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.59% increase in Basic Education Funding to Midd-West, for a total of $8,476,723. Ninety school districts in Pennsylvania received the minimum 2% increase in 2009. Additionally, Governor Edward Rendell gave 15 Pennsylvania school districts education funding increases of over 10% in 2009. The highest funding increase went to Muhlenberg School District in Berks County which received a 22.31% increase in 2009-10. The state Basic Education Funding to the Midd-West School District in 2008-09 was $8,104,569.04. The amount of increase each school district received was determined by then Governor Edward Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.

For the 2008-09 school year, Midd_West School District received $8,104,569.04 in Basic Education Funding from the state. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 775 students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.

All Pennsylvania school districts also receive additional funding from the state through several funding allocations, including: Reimbursement of Charter School Expenditures; Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; PA Accountability Grants; and low achieving schools were eligible for Educational Assistance Program Funding. Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including: Special Education funding and Title I funding for children from low income families. In 2010, Pennsylvania spent over $24 billion for public education - local, state and federal dollars combined. By 2015, Pennsylvania is spending over $27 billion on public education (local, state and federal resources combined).

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 2010-2011, Midd-West School District applied for and received $402,820 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The District used the funding to provide to pay teachers to develop and implement new curriculum and to decrease or maintain low class sizes, (less than 22 pupils) in K-3rd grade. In 2010-2011, Midd-West School District did not offer full day kindergarten.

Ready to Learn grant

Beginning in the 2014-2015 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the number of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the Districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. Midd-West School District received $149,795 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, Accountability Block Grant funding, PreK Counts funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

Classrooms for the Future grant

Midd-West School District was awarded a $77,993.00 grant under Classrooms for the Future 2006 to purchase computers for the high school students' use along with paying for mandatory teacher training to optimize the computers' use. Computers were for core academic courses: English, Math, Science, and History. In 2007 the district received $300,000. The district received the final payment of $42,706 for the 2008-09 school year. In total the district received: $420,699 in state funds. This money was in addition to all regular state and federal funding.

Classrooms For the Future was launched in 2006 as a three-year, $200 million project. It called for a laptop computer for every high school student and teacher. An audit by the Pennsylvania Auditor General found that over three years, PDE awarded at least partial funding to all, but four school districts who applied for Classrooms for the Future grants.

Other grants

Midd-West 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), Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grants; 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants; Project 720 High School Reform grants (discontinued effective with 2011-12 budget) nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal grants

Midd-West School District received $1,775,681 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 limited to the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, the Governor and the Pennsylvania School Board Association, 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

Midd-West School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional funding 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. 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.

English language learners grant

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to assist in educating immigrant children and children who are identified as limited English proficient. Upon registering for school a language survey is done for all new enrollment pupils, typically in kindergarten or preschool. They identify the primary language spoken at home. This data is collected and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which in turn notifies the federal government.

In 2012-13, Midd-West School District received no Title III funding for English language learners. For 2014-15, Midd-West School District received $540 in Title III funding.

Title II grants

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to be used to improve the quality of teacher instructions to pupils. The goal is provide each child in public schools with "Highly Quality" teachers and principals as defined by the state. The funds are sent to the state Department of Education which distributes them to each school district and charter school. Beginning in 2002, the federal funding committed to Title II was $3,175,000,000.

Public school district administrations must apply to the state annually for the Title II funds. In 2012-13, Midd-West School District received $138,237 in federal Title II funding. In 2014-15, Midd-West School District applied for and received $131,848.

Common Cents state initiative

The school board elected to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

In June 2016, the Midd-West School Board set real estate taxes at 70.1120 mills for the 2016-17 school year. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. 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 all government property (local, state and federal). Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community, a county and across a region. On the local level, 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. When a Pennsylvania public school district includes municipalities in two or more 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 Snyder County residents amounts to about 2.79% of their yearly income. Snyder County is ranked 728th 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.

Act 1 Adjusted Index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year. 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.

The School District Adjusted Index for the Midd-West School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.

For the 2016-17 budget year, Midd-West School Board did not apply for 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, Midd-West School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. 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, Midd-West School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. 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, Midd-West School Board applies for two exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit:special education costs and escalating teacher pension 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, Midd-West School Board applied for 2 exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: School Construction debt and teacher pension costs. 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 budget year, Midd-West School Board applied for multiple exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index, including: pension costs, special education costs and maintenance of selected revenue sources. Each year, the school district 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.

For the 2011-12 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 budget year, Midd-West School Board applied for three exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for its budget in 2011: escalating:teacher pension costs, Maintenance of Local Tax Revenues and increasing special education costs.

For the 2009-10 school budget, Midd-West School Board applied for one exception to exceed the Index: School Construction Debt. In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them with 128 seeking an exception for pension costs increases. Only 31 school districts applied for the maintenance of selected revenue sources exception. To qualify the district must show that the amount of tax revenue taken in one year earlier, coupled with the various state funding provided in that school year, does not exceed the sum of these amounts for the school year increased by its 2010-2011 index. The District reports the actual data and the Pennsylvania Department of Education verifies the calculations before providing approval.

Programs

In addition to the traditional academics, the school district offers technology and job skills training at the SUN Area Career and Technology Center.

High school students have the option of taking courses in agriculture that prepare them for work on farms, nurseries and other agrarian fields. The FFA program has received national recognition for excellence.

Bullying Policy

In 2009, the administration reported 29 incidents of bullying in the school district's annual safety report. By law all schools must submit an annual report to the state since 2000.

The Midd-West School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. A policy approved in May 2006 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.

Wellness policy

Midd-West 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 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 policy requires that the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

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 providing the lunch. In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day. The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.

Midd-West 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.

In February 2012, the parents of a child sued the District alleging failure to make accommodations for their child due to the child's severe peanut allergy. The Principal of the involved school sent home notices to parents of children in the impacted child's class to stop sending peanuts to school. The suit was settled in 2013 with the terms not made public.

In 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health distributed to each Pennsylvania high school the overdose antidote drug naloxone in a nasal spray. School nurses were also provided with educational materials and training developed by the National Association of School Nurses. The cost was covered by a grant from a private foundation.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, four schools in the Midd-West School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Midd-West High School received $9,890 which was used to purchase equipment and supplies for the Mustangs on the Move program, a circuit training program. West Snyder Middle School received $5,296 to purchase additional equipment to expand Fit Kids II. West Beaver Elementary School received $3,852 to implement the Weller Health Education Center's 6-week nutrition education workshops for 2nd grade students. Middleburg Middle School received $8,174 to support an after school nutrition education and physical education program. 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.

Extracurriculars

The Midd-West School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy. Student athletes pay a $50 annual fee to participate in activities including sports. Students who qualify for a free or reduced price lunch are exempted from the fee.

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

MWSD's mascot is the mustang. School colors are Carolina blue and dull silver. Just before the merger of the two high schools, high school students were asked to vote on a new mascot and school colors to replace the old West Snyder HS Mounties (colors: red and white) and Middleburg HS Middies (colors: blue and gold). The sports programs are through the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region.

According to Pennsylvania’s Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.

The District funds:

Note: The football program is a co-operative program with East Juniata High School, and plays under the East Juniata flag (Colors: Red & gray, nicknamel: Tigers), even though their field is in Beaver Springs on Midd-West property. The school board pays $24,000 a year for the students to be able to play PIAA football.

West Snyder Middle School

West Snyder Middle School was located at 645 Snyder Avenue, Beaver Springs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Midd-West Middle School reported an enrollment of 220 pupils in grades 5th through 8th, with 93 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 18 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. The building was changed to a k-5 building effective for 2012-13 school year.

In 2005 through 2012, West Snyder Middle School achieved AYP status.

Sixth and seventh grades were tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999. Testing in science began in 2007.

Middleburg Middle School

Achieved AYP status in 2010 through 2012. The attendance rate was 95% in both 2010 and 2011.

West Beaver Elementary School

In May 2012, the Midd-West School Board voted to close West Beaver Elementary School effective fall 2012.

AYP History West Beaver Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2009 through 2012. The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2011.

Perry-West Perry Elementary School

In May 2012, Midd-West School Board voted to close Perry-West Perry Elementary School as part of a District realignment that was triggered by a decline in enrollment district wide. Perry-West Perry Elementary School was located at 10594 Route 35, Mt. Pleasant Mills. It served students in kindergarten through 5th grade. In 2012, there were 172 students. In 2011, Perry-West Perry Elementary School had 14 students for every full-time equivalent teacher. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.

Perry-West Perry Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2010 through 2012. The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2011. Report Card 2010 [6] | Report Card 2009 [7] | Report Card 2008 [8] | Report Card 2007 [9] | Report Card 2006 [10]

In 2012, only 73% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In math, 81% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 42% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 82% of the pupils were on grade level.