Springfield School District (Delaware County)

Governance

Springfield School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve without compensation for a term of four years), 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.

Academic achievement

In 2014, Springfield School District ranked 64th out of 496 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.

District AYP status history

In 2012, Springfield School District declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to a lagging graduation rate for special education pupils. In 2011, Springfield School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public 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. Springfield School District achieved AYP status each school year from 2006 to 2010.

Graduation rate

In 2013, Springfield School District’s graduation rate was 96.7%. In 2012, the District’s graduation rate was 96.6%. In 2011, the graduation rate was 93%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Springfield High School's rate was 93% for 2010.

Springfield High School

Springfield High School is the only public high school in the Springfield-Morton collective community. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 1,169 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 13% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 16.7% of pupils received special education services, while 6.35% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 78 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 2011, the Springfield High School reported an enrollment of 1,204 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 147 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2011, the School employed 77 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 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.

Springfield High School achieved 86.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 82% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 79% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 30% showed on grade level science understanding. 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, Springfield High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status, due to underachievement in mathematics. In 2010 and 2011, Springfield High School achieved AYP status. From 2003 through 20009, Springfield High School achieved AYP status each school year. Effective with Spring 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education discontinued administering the PSSA's to 11th graders and reporting AYP status on schools.

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.

11th Grade Reading:

11th Grade Math:

11th Grade Science:

College Remediation Rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 53% of the Springfield High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

Springfield High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. Under state rules, other students that reside in the district, who attend a private school, a charter school or are home schooled are eligible to participate in this program. In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis. For the 2009-10 funding year, the Springfield School District received a state grant of $1,781 for the program.

SAT scores

In 2013, Springfield School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 499. The Math average score was 527. The Writing average score was 489. 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, 245 Springfield School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 524. The Writing average score was 496. 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, Springfield School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 491. The Math average score was 523. The Writing average score was 484. 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, Springfield High School offered 15 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. The High School gives credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Springfield High School 97.7% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.

Physical Education

Springfield High is known for one of the most rigorous Physical Education programs in Delaware County. Ran by Susan Purvis, Kim Smith, and Jeff Smith

E.T. Richardson Middle School

E.T Richardson Middle School (Also known as "ETR") is the public middle school of Springfield School District. In 2013, enrollment was 842 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 16.6% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 15% of pupils received special education services, while 7.96% 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.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 826 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 116 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 60 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 5 of its teachers were rated "Non-Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. The school was a federally designated Title I school and was recently given the title of a "School to Watch".

Richardson Middle School achieved 91.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, 85.5% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 92% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 73% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 94% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.

From 2006 through 2012, Richardson Middle School achieved AYP status each school year. In 2005 the school declined to Warning AYP status. In 2004, the school achieved AYP status. In 2003 Richardson Middle School was in Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement.

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments - Sixth and seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics since (2003) and Science (2007). 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. 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.

8th Grade Science:

Springfield Literacy Center

The Springfield Literacy Center (also known as "The SLC") serves all Kindergarten and first grade students in Springfield School District. The SLC opened in the Fall of 2011. Ms. Wendy Yohn is the principal of the SLC. The school building has received several architectural awards as a green designed school building. The building cost $19,296,500 for 51,000 square feet. The School is located at 210 West Woodland Ave. In 2013, the School's enrollment was 566 pupils in grades kindergarten and first grade, with 6.54% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 8% of the pupils receive special education services, while none were 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 half day kindergarten. The school is a not federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, enrollment was 587 pupils in grades kindergarten and first, with 32 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 34 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Scenic Hills Elementary School

Scenic HIlls Elementary School School is located at 235 Hillview Drive, Springfield. In 2013, the School's enrollment was 597 pupils in grades 2nd through 5th, with 9% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 15.5% of the pupils receive special education services, while 3% 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 Act. The school was not a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, enrollment was 564 pupils in grades 2nd through 5th, with 46 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 33 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Prior to 2011 both elementary schools served children from kindergarten through 4th grade.

Scenic Hills Elementary School achieved a score of 81 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 88% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 93% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 92% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 91% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 87% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

From 2004 through 2012, Scenic Hills Elementary School achieved AYP status each school year.

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. 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.

Harvey C. Sabold Elementary School

Sabold Elementary School is located at. In 2013, the school's enrollment was pupils in grades 2nd through 5th with 17.6% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 14.5% of the pupils receive special education services, while 4% 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 is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, enrollment was 573 pupils in grades 2nd through 5th, with 90 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 35 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Sabold Elementary School achieved a score of 75.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 82% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 89% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 90% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 88% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 81% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

In 2011 and 2012, Sabold Elementary School achieved AYP status.

Special education

In December 2011, the District administration reported that 600 pupils or 15.5% of the District's pupils received Special Education services, with 49.7% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the Springfield School District administration reported that 529 pupils or 14.7% of the District's pupils received Special Education services, with 60% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. 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).

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, 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.

The Springfield School District received a $1,552,295 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 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.

Gifted education

The Springfield School District Administration reported that 142 or 4% of its students were gifted in 2009. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted. 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

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 2013, the average teacher salary in Springfield School District was $72,587 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $28,583 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $101,171. The District employed 325 teachers with an average salary of $76,178 and a top salary of $230,059.

Reserves In 2008, Springfield School District reported a balance of $2,847,174, in its unreserved-undesignated fund. The unreserved-designated fund balance was reported as zero. In 2010, Springfield School District Administration reported an increase to $2,978,151.00 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The District also reported $1,651,783, in its unreserved-designated fund in 2010. By 2013, the District reserves were reported to the state as $8,144,328. 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. In 2005, the total reserve funds held by Pennsylvania public school districts was $1.9 billion. By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.

Audit In December 2013, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the District. The findings were reported to the Springfield School Board and the District’s administration.

Tuition Students who live in the Springfield School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the Springfield School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $11,542, High School - $11,018.

Springfield School District is funded by a combination of: a local mercantile tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, 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 accounts also provide nontax income to the District. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of the individual’s personal wealth. The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both are free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Springfield School District receives 14.6% of its annual revenue from the state.

For the 2014-15 school year, Springfield School District received $2,642,715 in State Basic Education funding. The District also received $173,375 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 State 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, Springfield School District received a 5.2% increase or $2,643,511 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $130,128 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Springfield School District received $50,808 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Delaware County, Upper Darby School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 11%. Springfield 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, Springfield School District received $2,642,715. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program. Springfield School District received $50,808 in ABG funds. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS. This amount was 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 Springfield School District received a $2,513,383 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, Springfield School District received $50,808 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 of Allegheny County, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12. In 2010, the District reported that 322 students received free or reduced price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Some public school Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011.

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4% increase in Basic Education Funding (BEF) for a total of $2,666,242. Among the districts in Delaware County, the highest increase went to Southeast Delco School District which got a 10.34% increase. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest BEF increase (in 2010-2011) went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County, which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. Fifteen (15) Pennsylvania public school districts received a BEF increase of greater than 10%. 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 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $2,563,660. Among the districts in Delaware County, the highest increase went to Interboro School District which got an 8.57%. Ninety (90) Pennsylvania public school districts received the base 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.

The state Basic Education Funding to the Springfield School District in 2008-09 was $2,259,910. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 212 District 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 other 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.

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 skills training; All Day Kindergarten; lower class size in Kindergarten through 3rd grade; literacy and math coaching programs (provides teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction); before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010-11, the District applied for and received $137,906 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The District used the funding for teacher training.

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.

Springfield School District will receive $50,808 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 to 2009. The Springfield School District received $407,573 in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the District received $300,000 more. The district did not apply for funding in 2008-2009. Among the public school districts in Delaware County the highest award was given to Upper Darby School District which received $1,508,520. 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 the 2009-10 state budget.

Other grants

The Springfield 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 grant; 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants; 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

The Springfield School District received an extra $787,699 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (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

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

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2014-2015 were set by the Springfield School Board at 29.9604 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and all government property (local, state and federal). 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 # Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. When a Pennsylvania public school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties. In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.

The average yearly property tax paid by Delaware County residents amounts to about 5.04% of their yearly income. Delaware County ranked 73rd out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011. Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).

Wellness policy

Springfield School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006. 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." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

The Springfield School 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.

Springfield 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

Springfield School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, publicly funded sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).

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.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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.

Athletics

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

The Springfield Cougars compete in many varsity and Junior varsity sports each participating in the Central League.

American football

The Springfield Cougars Football Program which started in 1932 has seen four Central league championships in 1962, 1963, 1989, 1994, 2014. In 2008 The Cougars hired ex University of Virginia Quarterback and Downingtown East and West Chester Rustin Offensive Coordinator Dan Ellis as Head Coach in 2008 who replaced Head Coach Chris Bell who went only 5-25 in 3 seasons. Coach Ellis lead the team to a 7-3 regular season record and a state playoff victory over Bishop Shanahan. To fill Ellis' place, Springfield promoted lineman coach Tom Kline, a longtime colleague of Ellis', to Head Coach in 2011 who lead the Cougars to an 8-2 regular season record only to lose in their first home playoff game to Academy Park. In 2012 The Cougars went 7-4 under Kline, including a win over Garnet Valley which was a rematch from the previous season's loss. The Cougars lost to West Chester Henderson in the first round of the playoffs. In 2013 the Cougars went 6-5, among the wins was a 45-6 victory over Strath Haven. This marked the first time that Springfield defeated Strath haven since 1994. In December 2013 Tom Kline stepped down as head coach for personal reasons. In early February 2014, long time Assistant Coach, and colleague of Tom Kline, Chris Britton who's been with the team since 2002 was promoted to head coach for Springfield. Coach Britton led the Cougars to an undefeated 10-0 season to win the 2014 Central League for the 1st time since 1994 only to lose in the District 1 Championship to Great Valley High School after beating Interboro High School and Pottsgrove High School to finish 12-1 overall. The 2014-15 Cougar Football Season was the most successful team in high school history. The Cougars Varsity football is currently 8-0 in the 2016-17 season after a rivalry showdown victory in OT. over the Ridley High School Green Raiders for the first time since 1994.

Basketball

For the past few years the cougars had success under head coach Kevin McCormick, this past season for the men's varsity team the cougars finished with an overall record of 13-9 only to lose to Methacon high school in the first round 45-35. The Lady cougars coached by Kimberly Smith finished their season with an overall record of 10-14 and defeated Marple Newtown 50-41, and lost in the second round to Villa Joseph Marie 43-30. On December 28 The Cougars won the William Allen Holiday against William Allen HS in OT, after trailing 23-6 in the 1st Quarter.

Cheerleading

In February 2016 the Springfield Varsity Cheerleading Squad coached by Kristen La'Barca and Molly Ries, traveled to Orlando to compete in the annual UCA and went on to win the PIAA State title as well as being crowned National Cheerleading Champions.

Lacrosse

Springfield High School is also well known for their boys' lacrosse team. In the last few seasons the boys finished each season except for 2007-08 season at .500,with 10 wins or more. Springfield won the district 1 championship for lacrosse in 2015. On June 13th the 2016 boys lacrosse team beat out La Salle, 4-3 to win the PIAA State Championship.

Tennis

The boys' tennis team continued their upward surge in the 2016 season. They were led by singles players Tyler Stroyek, Mike Bonacquisti, and Jacinth Chikkala. Playing doubles was Joe Rice/ Ryan Busch, Joe Colgan/Chris Fleming, Justin Collins/ Adam Dickerson, and Ben Siti/ James Shickling. They were coached by Steve Fattori.

Softball

In the 2013–14 Softball season, the girls' Softball team went 23–4, and went on to defeat Bethlehem Catholic 3–0 to Capture their first Class AAA PIAA District 1 State title.

Ice Hockey

The Cougars Ice hockey program has seen a lot of success over the years under head coach Phil Eastman, winning the championship in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2014. In 2014 In 2014 the Cougars Ice hockey team won their 2nd straight central league title.

Music Programs

Springfield High School has a phenomenal music department under the direction of Kevin Cooper, Marsha Bowe, and Michael Zubert. Musical ensembles include Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Springfield Singers, Concert Choir, The Treble Makers, Jazz Big Band, Jazz Lab Band, and the Springfield High School Marching Band. A variety of other music related courses are offered to students during the school. These courses cover topics such as music theory, music technology, and music history.

Academics

The high school and middle school have one of the best Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science teams in the state. The current era of the team started in the 2006–2007 school year. Since then the team has grown to 32 members in the 2010–2011 school year. Approximately 85-90% of the students qualify for the state meet each year. This is much higher than the normal qualification rate of 65-70%. Students from Springfield have placed extremely well over the past few years and in that past two years 7 the 7 eligible students have won scholarships. The team has also accumulated over $100,000.00 in prizes and scholarships in the past 5 years.

Steve Stefani Dance Marathon

Steve Stefani Dance Marathon is an annual charity event held at Springfield High School each year; proceeds go to the Four Diamonds Fund to go towards fighting pediatric cancer for kids across Pennsylvania. Steve Stefani Dance Marathon was originally created by a teacher who works at Springfield High School to honor a teacher who lost a battle with lung cancer named Steve Stefani who was a beloved social studies teacher who worked at Sabold Elementary and Springfield High School. In 2013 participants raised over $190,000 to go towards fighting pediatric cancer. In 2014 the Steve Stefani Dance Marathon raised $224,598,71 to go towards fighting pediatric cancer. To date the Steve Stefani Raised over $1 million in 11 years.

Brunner Bash

The Brunner Bash is a six-hour marathon similar to the Steve Stefani Dance Marathon that honors Sabold Teacher Mr. Glen Brunner when he lost his battle with cancer. The bash occurs every year and students may not sit and be physically active for six hours at the middle school. The Proceeds support the Steve Stefani Dance Marathon.

Future development

On June 10th 2015, Springfield School Board voted in a 8-1 decision to build a new high school. Development plans are still being processed.