South Middleton School District

Governance

South Middleton School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The Superintendent 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. 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 "D-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.

Academic achievement

South Middleton School District was ranked 179th out of 500 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2014, 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.

District AYP status history

In 2012, South Middleton School District achieved AYP status. In 2011, South Middleton School District also 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. South Middleton School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2009, while in 2003 the District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.

Graduation rate

In 2013, South Middleton School District's graduation rate was 90%. In 2012, South Middleton School District's graduation rate was 93%. In 2011 the graduation rate was 96%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Boiling Springs High School's rate was 83% for 2010.

High school

Boiling Springs High School is located at 4 Forge Road, Boiling Springs. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 671 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 12% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 14.6% of pupils received special education services, while 6% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 58 teachers. Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics. in 2010, Boiling Springs High School had 748 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 69 qualifying for a federal free lunch due to family poverty. The School employed 59 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1. There were 746 students enrolling here attending grades 9-12 in 2010. There were 62 professional staff members. The length of a day is 6.38 hours. Enrollment was 746 pupils in 2008-2009.

Boiling Springs High School achieved 79 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - just 71% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 67% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, only 49% showed on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.

In 2012, Boiling Springs High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status. In 2011, Boiling Springs High School declined to Warning AYP status. In 2010, the School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status. Principal Joseph Mancuso expressed concern over the steadily declining math scores at the high school plus the school was far below the AYP level of 67% on grade level in math for 2011.

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.

Science in Motion Boiling Springs High School did not take advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate. Gettysburg College provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 29% of South Middleton School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment - The Boiling Springs High School does not offer the Pennsylvania dual enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. Over 400 school districts in Pennsylvania offer this state-funded program. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.

SAT scores

In 2013, South Middleton School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 516. The Math average score was 512. The Writing average score was 516. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.

In 2012, 130 South Middleton School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 515. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 506. 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, 134 South Middleton School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 512. The Math average score was 513. The Writing average score was 510. 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.

AP Courses

In 2013, Boiling Springs High School offered 8 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The student pays the fee for the exam which was $89 per test per pupil in 2012. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Boiling Springs High School 32% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.

Graduation requirements

The South Middleton School Board has determined that 30 total units are required for graduation, including 4.5 units of English, 3.5 units of Math, 4 units of Social Studies, 3 units of Science, 2 units of a Foreign Language, 2 units of Arts/Humanities. Microsoft Office, Physical Education, Health, Safety Education, and Personal Finance.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. The project consists of two components: a written portion and an oral presentation. Students work with faculty advisors to complete the project. 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. 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.

Yellow Breeches Middle School

Yellow Breeches Middle School is located at 4 Forge Road, Boiling Springs. In 2013, enrollment was 525 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 15.8% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 13% of pupils received special education services, while 3.6% 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 2010, Yellow Breeches Middle School had 502 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 65 qualifying for a federal free lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 45 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 11:1. There was a total of 550 students enrolled in grades 6-8. There were 39 professional staff members. The length of a day is 6.32 hours. Enrollment was 550 pupils in 2008-2009.

Yellow Breeches Middle School achieved 73.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, just 76% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 80.7% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 67.7% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 73.5% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.

In 2012, Yellow Breeches middle School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2011 and 2010, Yellow Breeches Middle School achieved AYP' status.

Sixth and seventh grades have been 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, as a state initiative. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.

W.G. Rice Elementary School

W.G. Rice Elementary School is located on 805 Holly Pike in Mt. Holly Springs, PA. In 2013, the School's enrollment was 631 pupils in grades kindergarten through 3rd, with 21.5% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 11% 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.

In 2010, there were 616 students in grades Kindergarten through third. There were 42 professional staff members. The length of a day is 5.5 hours. Enrollment was 616 pupils in 2008-09. The attendance rate in 2010 was 96% and in 2011 it was 95%.

W. G. Rice Elementary School achieved a score of 84.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 81% of the students were reading on grade level in third grade.

In 2010 through 2012, Rice Elementary School achieved AYP status. Report Card 2010 [1] | Report Card 2009 [2] Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading.

In 2012, 84% of the third grade students were reading on grade level. In math, 92% of the students in 3rd grade were on grade level and 58% scored advanced.

Iron Forge Educational Center

Iron Forge Educational Center is located on 4 Forge Road in Boiling Springs, PA. In 2013, the School's enrollment was 313 pupils in grades 4th and 5th grades, with 19% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 17.8% of the pupils receive special education services, while 3% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 7% of the teachers were rated non-highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school is not a federally designated Title I school. In February 2014, the Board approved a plan for $22.4 million renovation and addition to the building with the intention to move the third grade to this building when the project is finished in 2016.

According to a report by National Center for Education Statistics, there were 338 students enrolled attending grades 4th and 5th. There were 29 professional staff members. The length of a day was 5.75 hours. Enrollment was 338 pupils in 2008-09. The attendance rate in 2010 and 2011 was 96%. The school offers after school homework assistance program of all students.

In 2010 through 2012, the school achieved AYP status. Report Card 2010 [3] | Report Card 2009 [4]

The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.

In 2012, 81% of Iron Forge students were reading on grade level in grades 4th and 5th. In math, 90% of the students in 4th and 5th grades were on grade level and 62% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 96% of the pupils were on grade level.

Special education

In December 2012, South Middleton School District Administration reported that 15% of students or 323 children received special education services, with 41.8% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2010, South Middleton School District Administration reported that 15.5% of students or 344 children received special education services, with 43.9% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the District reported that 15.7% of students or 347 children received special education services.

Special education services in the Commonwealth are provided to students from ages three years to 21 years old. In the 2010-2011 school year, the total student enrollment was more than 1.78 million students with approximately 275,000 students eligible for special education services. Among these students 18,959 were identified with mental retardation and 21,245 students with autism. The largest group of students are identified as Specific Learning Disabilities 126,026 students (46.9 percent) and Speech or Language Impairments with 43,542 students (16.2 percent). South Middleton School District provides a variety of opportunities for the screening and evaluation of students thought to have disabilities. In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress . To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department. 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.

In 2010-2011, 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 requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.

South Middleton School District received a $970,186 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-2011. 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. In 2014-15, South Middleton School District will receive $983,373 for special education students from the Commonwealth.

Gifted education

South Middleton School District Administration reported that 65 or 2.88% 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. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to a variety of AP courses. 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

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 2014, the South Middleton School Board reached a contract agreement with the teachers union. It extended the teachers’ contract out to the end of the 2016-17 year. Additionally, they awarded raises to the classified staff of 3 percent the first year and 2.75 percent for the second and third years. The agreement is for all the secretaries, teacher aides, custodians and maintenance staff. Finally, the Board approved an administrative compensation plan which gives a 2 percent salary increase in the 2014-15 school year, a 2.5 percent increase for 2015-16 and a 2.25 percent increase for 2016-17.

In 2013, the average teacher salary in South Middleton School District was $53,827 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $22,790 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $76,617.

In 2011, the average teacher salary in South Middleton School District was $51,889 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $16,785.68 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $68,674.75. 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 2009, South Middleton School District reported employing 202 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $54,022 and a top salary of $142,484. The teacher’s work day is 8 hours, including a daily preparation period and a 30-minute duty-free lunch each day, with 180 student days in the 190-day contract year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, professional development reimbursement, 1-3 paid personal days, 1-3 professional days, 5 bereavement days, 10 paid sick days, a retirement bonus of up to $12,000 and other benefits.

In 2007, South Middleton School District employed 161 teachers. The average teacher salary in the District was $46,229 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, life insurance, retirement bonus and other benefits. Teachers' contract: will expire on June 30, 2011. 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. 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.

South Middleton School District administration costs per pupil was $977.67 in 2008 which ranked 67th among the Commonwealth's 501 public school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The district ranked 66th out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts for administrative spending. In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants released a report finding that the state would save hundreds of millions of tax dollars, by cutting the number of school administrations in half through consolidation of administrations, with no impact on programs offered to students.

Per pupil spending In 2008, South Middleton School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $11,537 which ranked 91st among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending at South Middleton School District had increased to $20,007.56 which ranked 24th in the Commonwealth. Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.

Reserves In 2008, South Middleton School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $6,000,000.00 and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $3,175,788.00. In 2010, the reserves were: $7,844,136 with $4,844,136.00 in the unreserved undesignated fund. 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 2014, South MIddleton School District reported having $7,310,109.

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 South Middleton 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 South Middleton School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $8,966.31, High School - $10,151.48.

Audit In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Multiple significant findings were reported to the administration and school board. The District was audited again in 2013, with finding reported regarding student enrollment reporting to the PDE.

South Middleton School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax - 1.60%, a local real property tax, a real estate transfer tax, and a per capita tax, 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. 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 individual's wealth.

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, South Middleton School District receives 27.6% of its annual revenue from the state.

For the 2014-15 school year, South Middleton School District will receive $4,098,326 in State Basic Education funding. The District will also receive $161,738 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State’s enacted Education Budget includes $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.

In the 2013-2014 school year, the South Middleton School District received a 2.4% increase or $4,098,326 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $97,135 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, South Middleton School District received $75,824 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Cumberland County, Camp Hill School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 4.7%. South Middleton School 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 highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent. As a part of the education budget, the state provided 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, South Middleton School District received $4,079,186 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. South Middleton School District received $75,824. The state also provided $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund (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 the 2011-2012 school year, South Middleton School District received $4,003,362 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $75,824 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The Pennsylvania Department of Education reports that 875 pupils received a federal free and reduced-price lunch, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

In the 2010-2011 school year, South Middleton School District received an increase of 4.52% ($187,199) in Basic Education Funding for a total of $4,324,818. Four Cumberland County school districts received increases of less than 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2010-11. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2010. Camp Hill School District received a 13.99% increase while Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest with a 23.65% increase in funding. One hundred fifty school districts were allotted the base 2% state funding increase in 2010-11. 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 where enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell’s policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.35% increase, in Basic Education Funding, to South Middleton School District, for a total of $4,137,619. Seven Cumberland County school districts received increases of less than 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-2010. Shippensburg Area School District received an 8.43% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by then Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education, Gerald Zahorchak, through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.

The state's Basic Education Funding to the South Middleton School District in 2008-09 was $4,003,361.62. In 2008, the South Middleton School District reported that 208 students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income.

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 the 2010-11 school year, the South Middleton School District applied for and received $205,804 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide all-day kindergarten for the 6th year and for classroom based teacher coaches to improve instruction.

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.

South Middleton School District will receive $161,738 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

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. South Middleton School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08, South Middleton School District received $171,947 and $69,450in 2008-2009 for a total funding of $241,397. Among the public school districts in Cumberland County the highest award was given to Big Spring School District which received $695,531. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of his 2009-2010 state budget.

Other grants

South Middleton School District did not participate in the state's Science its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell); the 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grants; the Education Assistance grant for tutoring; 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants; 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants nor the federal 21st Century Community Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

South Middleton School District received an extra $935,700 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 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years. Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top

South Middleton School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in 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. Big Spring School District was the only Cumberland County school district that applied to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.

Real estate taxes

In 2014, the South Middleton School Board set the property taxes rate at 9.1549 mills for the 2014-15 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 government property. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the Commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region.

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. The average yearly property tax paid by Cumberland County residents amounts to about 2.8% of their yearly income. Cumberland County is ranked 724th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. 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 permitted to raise taxes above that index, unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the Pennsylvania 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. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.

The School District Adjusted Index for the South Middleton School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.

For the 2014-15 budget year, South Middleton 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, South Middleton School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2013-14, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 16.93% of payroll payment to the teacher’s pension fund (PSERS). 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 pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.

For the 2012-13 budget year, South Middleton 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 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, South Middleton School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the South Middleton 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.

South Middleton School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 nor in 2010-11. 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 2013, South Middleton School District approved homestead properties received $117. The decline in amount was related to more residents applying for tax relief (4,592) and a decline in table games tax revenues. The amount received by the District must be divided equally among all approved residences. In 2014, the highest property tax relief went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $641 per approved homestead.

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the South Middleton School District was $122 per approved permanent primary residence. In the District, 4,404 property owners applied for the tax relief. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. In 2009, the highest property tax relief went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County, which received $632 per approved homestead. 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 and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Cumberland County, 75.93% 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 who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

Wellness policy

South Middleton School Board established a district-wide Student 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 District is a participant in: Healthy School Zone, PANA, and the Carlisle Health and Wellness Foundation's Wellness @ Work initiative.

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.

The District offers both a free school breakfast and a 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 providing the lunch. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandates that Districts raise their full pay lunch prices every year until the price of non-subsidized lunches equals the amount the federal government reimburses schools for free meals. That subsidy in 2013-2014 was $2.93.

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.

South Middleton 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

South Middleton School District provides a wide variety of activities, clubs and an extensive and costly sports program. Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board policies. The District performs random drug testing on students who participate in extracurricular activities. The District is compliant with state law, due to posting its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website in the Athletics section.

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.

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.

Sports

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

The District funds:

According to PIAA directory July 2012