Steelton Highspire School District

Governance

Steelton-Highspire School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act (renamed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in December 2015) which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The school board is required by state law to post a financial report on the district in its website by March of each school year.

The Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. These contracts must be in writing and are subject to public discloure under the state’s Right to Know Act. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent and Business Manager regarding renewal of their employment contracts. Pursuant to Act 141 of 2012 which amended the Pennsylvania School Code, all school districts that have hired superintendents on/after the fall of 2012 are required to develop objective performance standards and post them on the district’s website.

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

Steelton-Highspire School District is served by the Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 which offers a variety of services, including a completely developed K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.

District AYP History

In 2012, Steelton-Highspire School District declined further to Corrective Action I level Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to achieving just 4 of 28 metrics measured.

Academic achievement

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

In 2013-14, 2014–15, 2015-16 both of the Steelton-Highspire Area District's schools remained on the lowest achievement lists.

Statewide academic ranking

In 2015, Steelton-Highspire School District ranked 489th 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.

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students in the Steelton-Highspire School District was in the lowest percentile among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)

Graduation rate

In 2015, the Steelton-Highspire School District’s graduation rate was 90.5%.

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

High school

Steelton-Highspire High School is located at Swatara Street and Reynders Avenue, in Steelton. In 2015, enrollment was reported as 551 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 63.7% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 15% of pupils received special education services, while 0.36% of pupils were identified as gifted. In 2014, the School's enrollment was reported as 549 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 76% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 16.5% of pupils received special education services, while 0.5% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 44 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, Steelton-Highspire High School enrolled 517 students in grades 7th through 12th, with 350 student eligible for a federal free lunch due to family poverty. The S-HHS employed 52 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1. The district reported that one course was taught by a teacher who was a Non‐Highly Qualified Teacher under No Child Left Behind.

Steelton-HIghspire High School achieved 51 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement.The PDE reported that 27.7% of the School’s students were on grade level in reading/literature. In math/Algebra 1, 28% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In science/Biology I, 10.9% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.

Steelton-Highspire High School achieved 50.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 45% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 31% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, only 19% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. In writing, just 36% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills. Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.

Compared with last year, the percentage of schools that earned below 60 declined by nearly 1 percent per Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq. She reported that this is an indication that student achievement is improving as school resources are being used better.

Steelton-Highspire High School achieved 47.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 39% were on grade level. In Algebra1/math - just 34% showed on grade level skills. In Biology/science, only 12% showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, just 41% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills. 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.

AYP status history

Steelton-Highspire High School declined to Corrective Action II 6th Year in 2012, due to chronic, low academic achievement. The school reported an attendance rate of 94% in 2010 and 2011.

Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the District. Additionally, the Steelton-Highspire High School administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students. The High School was eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants, which the school must apply for each year.

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 to eleventh graders. Seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. 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.

Science in Motion Steelton-Highspire 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, 49% of Steelton-Highspire School District graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates, who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges, takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

Steelton-Highspire 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, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. For the 2009-10 funding year, Steelton-Highspire School District received a state grant of $42,789 for the program.

SAT scores

In 2014, Steelton-Highspire School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 411. The Math average score was 409. The Writing average score was 367. Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.

In 2013, 33 Steelton-Highspire School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 365. The Math average score was 381. The Writing average score was 362. 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, 52 Steelton-Highspire School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 404. The Math average score was 412. The Writing average score was 385. 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, 62 Steelton-Highspire students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 372. The Math average score was 374. The Writing average score was 317. 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 2014, Steelton-Highspire High School offered 5 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for each AP Exam was $91 (2014). The school normally retains $9 of that fee as a rebate to help with administrative costs. In 2012, the fee was $89 per test per pupil. 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 Steelton-HIghspire High School 6% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.

In 2013, Steelton-HIghspire High School offered 5 AP courses. Less than 10 pupils achieved a 3 or better on the AP exams in the spring.

Online Courses

In 2010, the school district began offering online courses to students through Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15.

Middle school

The PDE reported that 16% of 8th grade students at Middle School students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, only 1% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 7.5% of the school’s 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported. In 7th grade, 38% were on grade level in reading, while just 3% showed on grade level math skills. Statewide 58% of eighth (8th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 29% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills.

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 of Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.

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

Elementary school

Steelton-Highspire Elementary School is located at Swatara Street & Reynders Avenue, Steelton. In 2015, the School's enrollment was 781 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 77% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 17% of the pupils receive special education services, while 0.26% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 92% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full day kindergarten and taxpayer funded preschool. The School remains a federally designated Title I school.

In 2014, the School's enrollment was 792 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 77.8 of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 17% of the pupils receive special education services, while 0.5% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The has school provided full day kindergarten since 2006. The School was a federally designated Title I school.

In 2010, Steelton-Highspire Elementary School had 720 pupils enrolled in grades prekindergarten through 6th grades, with 541 receiving a federal free lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 55 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1. The school reports that it continued to employ several Non‐Highly Qualified Teachers in 2012.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 20% of 5th grade students at Steelton-Highspire Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 5% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 20% were on grade level in reading, while 16% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 44% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 23% were on grade level in reading and 31% were on grade level in mathematics. Among 6th graders, 20% were on grade level in reading and 8% were on grade level in mathematics. Statewide 61.9% of fifth (5th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 42.8% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 4th graders were 58.6% on grade level in reading and 44.4% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 77.3% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among Pennsylvania third (3rd) graders, 62% were reading on grade level, while 48.5% demonstrated on grade level math skills.

Steelton-Highspire Elementary School achieved a score of 62 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 34.9% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, only 41% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, just 41% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 64% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 24% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.

Steelton-Highspire Elementary School achieved a score of 51.9 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 33% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, 43% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 43% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 50% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 34% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

AYP history

In 2012, Steelton-Highspire Elementary School declined to Corrective Action II 4th Year AYP status due to achieving just 2 of 14 metrics.

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders and sixth 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.

PreK Counts preschool

Steelton-Highspire School District receives state funding to provide free half day, preschool to 4 year olds since 2007-08 school year. Steelton-Highspire School District was a high priority for funding due to the 48% poverty level of children in the district's attendance area. The District calls it Pre-Kindergarten. For the 2011 school year, Pre-K Counts grant was funded at the 2010 levels of $83.6 million statewide. The state also supplements the federal Head Start preschool program with an additional $37.6 million. Pre-K Counts funding was initiated during the Rendell administration. In 2007-08, the state funded Pre-K Counts at $75 million. In 2009-10, the district received $67,150 to provide preschool to 17 children. In 2011-12, the School received a $67,150 grant for preschool. Effective with the 2013-14 school year, the School Board eliminated the preschool program even though it was funded by a state PreK Counts grant.

Special education

In December 2013, the District administration reported that 262 pupils or 18.9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 42% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2012, the District administration reported that 228 pupils or 15.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 44.7% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.

In December 2010, Steelton-Highspire School District administration reported that 256 pupils or 19.9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. Fifty percent of identified students had a specific learning disability. Four percent were identified as autistic. In 2009, the district reported that 20% of its pupils were identified as needing special education services.

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school district engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress . To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the district's Special Education Department.

In 2010, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding. The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district’s students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student’s needs accrue the same level of costs. The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education. 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 Steelton-Highspire School District received a $923,657 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12, 2012–13 and 2013-14 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required. For the 2014-2015 school year, SHSD received an increase to $953,481 from the Commonwealth for special education funding. Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 10 or 0.81% 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.

Wellness policy

Highspire-Steelton School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, 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.

Steelton-Highspire School District offers a 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.

Steelton-Highspire 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.

The Steelton-Highspire School District participated in Highmark Foundation’s Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools grant which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.

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 Steelton-Highspire School District was $52,163 a year. Steelton-Highspire School District teacher and administrator retirement benefits are equal to at least 2.00% x Final Average Salary x Total Credited Service. (Some teachers benefits utilize a 2.50% benefit factor.) After 40 years of service, a teacher can retire with 100% of the average salary of their final 3 years of employment. According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Steelton-Highspire School District was $50,581 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $16,481 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $67,062. 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 2010, Steelton-Highspire School District reported employing 129 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $53,739 and a top salary of $136,500 The teacher’s work day is 7 hours 30 minutes with a duty-free lunch and a daily preparation period. There are 188 work days, with 182 students days in the contract year. Additionally, the District's teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2-3 paid personal days, 5 paid bereavement days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.

In 2007, Steelton-Highspire School District employed 100 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $43,152 for 180 days worked.

Administrative costs The Steelton-Highspire School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $1,089 per pupil. The district ranked 40th among Pennsylvania's 500 districts for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In June 2009, Superintendent Deborah Wortham received a raise of over $5000 taking her salary from $125,000 in 2009 to $130,625 for 2010. She also received an extensive benefits package, including health insurance, life insurance, defined benefits pension, and much more. After only two years on the job, in June 2010, Wortham unexpectedly resigned. Wortham had been hired by the school board in June 2008 for three years. She had served previously as an academic officer in the City of Baltimore's public schools for three years, an administrative post below the BCPC school system's top two administrators (Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.)/Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer (C.A.O.)/assistant or co-superintendent). She was formerly director of professional development in the Baltimore City Public Schools system (established 185 years ago - 1829), and later Principal of its landmark Baltimore City College (high school), the magnet, college prep, specialized school with a long-time focus on the humanities, social studies, liberal arts and the Classics, and a flagship in the large BCPS system (next to long-time rival Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, a similar traditional school majoring in mathematics, science, technology and engineering for 130 years). City College (despite its antique name) was the third oldest public high school in America, next to Philadelphia's Central High School, the second oldest - established 1838, and Boston's oldest - English High School, founded 1821. Many of the prominent political, legal and scholarly leaders of Baltimore have attended BCC, its National landmark buildings located in a commanding hill-top, park-like, 38 acre campus overlooking the downtown skyline in a huge stone four-story structure of Collegiate Gothic architectural style with a 150 ft. tall tower. Dr. Wortham was also previously the principal of an elementary/middle school and an elementary school.

In July 2010, the school board hired Audrey Utley as the system's new Superintendent. Her salary was set at $136,500 annually in the three-year contract. Utley had formerly been the acting superintendent of the Harrisburg City School District for several months. She retired after serving as SHSD superintendent for 3 years.

In May 2011, the Steelton-Highspire School Board approved a proposed budget spending $18.9 million for 2011-12. The budget plan included multiple staff reductions, a pay freeze by teachers and staff and the elimination of one administration position. It includes a local property tax increase of over 6%

A 2009 Pennsylvania Auditor General audit of the District found multiple, serious deficiencies in staff qualifications. Specifically, between 2005 and 2009, 25 staff members lacked valid Instructional I certification or remained employed with a lapsed certificate. Additionally, the assistant superintendent lacked appropriate superintendency certification. The District was fined over $37,000 for the deficiencies.

In April 2011, the district reported an independent audit found substantial issues, including a failure by the former superintendent to use federal funds correctly and a failure, by her, to follow procedures for disbursing district money – specifically payments to a consultant used for various services. In 2014, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the District. The audit found significant noncompliance with certain relevant state laws, regulations, contracts, grant requirements, and administrative procedures.

Per pupil spending In 2008. the District administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,896 which ranked 185th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $15,938.38 which ranked 70th in the state. 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.

Reserves In 2008, the District reported a balance $458,628 in an unreserved-undesignated fund. The designated fund balance was reported as zero. In 2010, Steelton-Highspire Administration reported a deficit of -$2,295,617.00 in its unreserved-undesignated fund. Pennsylvania school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.

In March 2013, the state placed the District in Financial Watch status in accordance with Act 141 of 2012.

TANF In October 2015, the Steelton-HighSPire School Board took out a $6.2 million line of credit to cover District expenses during a prolonged state budget fight. Governor Tom Wolf withheld all state and federal funding from all Pennsylvania public schools.

Secession In 2014, a group of Highspire taxpayers successfully circulated a petition to secede from the Steelton-Highspire School District. They point to chronic low student achievement couple with District mismanagement and fiscal shortfalls. They sought to join the Middletown Area School District. The Board of the MIddletown Area School District opposed the petition in Dauphin County court pointing to their own low student academic achievement. The Steelton-Highspire School Board opposes the petition as does the District's administration. In October 2014, the Court ruled the petition can proceed to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

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 Steelton-Highspire School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $7,510, High School - $9,216.

Steelton-Highspire School District is funded by a combination of: a 1% local earned income tax, an occupation tax of 80% per cent of the value of all occupations assessed at $250 (yielding $200.00 per person), a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, a per capita tax of $5.00 levied on each resident of Steelton and Highspire, over 18 years of age, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States Department of Education. State, Federal and private sector grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. The District administration must apply for these grants. 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 wealth.

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, School District receives 55.6% of its annual revenue from the state.

For the 2015-16 school year, Governor Tom Wolf released a partial Basic Education Funding (BEF) of $3,817,731 to Steelton-Highspire School District, in January 2016. This was part of $10.3 billion in school funding withheld from the public schools, by the Governor since the summer of 2015. The dispersement did not follow the new Basic Education Fair Funding formula which had been established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in June 2015.

For the 2014-15 school year, Steelton-Highspire School District received $7,630,959 in State Basic Education funding. The District also received $282,996 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, Steelton-Highspire School District received a 1.6% increase or $7,629,852 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $122,907 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Steelton-Highspire School District received $154,781 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Dauphin County, Derry Township School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 5.4%. The District has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth’s budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding. The 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, Steelton-Highspire School District received $7,661,726, which was a 154,781 increase over 2011 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 (ABG). Steelton-Highspire School District received $154,781 in ABG funding. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS. This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett’s first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In the 2011-12 school year, Steelton-Highspire School District received a $7,507,659 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, Steelton-Highspire School District received $154,781 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12. In 2010, the district reported that 866 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 school year, the state provided Steelton-Highspire School District a 2.0% increase of Basic Education Funding for a total of $8,141,133. The highest increase in Dauphin County was awarded to the Susquehanna Township School District at 15.89%. Sixteen Pennsylvania school districts received an increase over 10%. One hundred fifty (150) Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010-11 went to the Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where 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 determined by the 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.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.29% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $7,981,503. Seven Dauphin County school districts received increases of over 4.5% in Basic Education Funding in 2009-10. Susquehanna Township School District received a 10.66% 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 state's Basic Education Funding to the Steelton-Highspire School District in 2008-09 was $7,508,991.90 The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 836 students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch due to low family income in 2008.

The state Basic Education Funding to the District in 2008-09 was $7,035,831. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 836 district students received free or reduced- price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.

All Pennsylvania school districts also received 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. Districts may also apply for additional funds from a variety of sources.

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students, For 2010-11, the Steelton-Highspire School District applied for and received over $420,116 in addition to all other State and Federal funding. The District uses the funding to provide: all-day kindergarten for 78 pupils, to pay for teacher education, to fund research based reforms, to provide literacy and math teach coaching and to fund social and health programs for the pupils.

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. Steelton-Highspire School District will receive $282,996 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

Science It’s Elementary grant

Steelton-Highspire Elementary School successfully applied to participate and received a Science It’s Elementary grant in 2008-09. For the 2008-09 school year, the program was offered in 143 schools statewide, reaching 2,847 teachers and 66,973 students across Pennsylvania. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education initiated an effort to improve science instruction in the Commonwealth’s public elementary schools. Called Science: It’s Elementary, the program is a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills. To encourage schools to adopt the program’s standards aligned curriculum, the state provided a grant to cover the costs of materials and extensive mandatory teacher training. The District was required to develop a three-year implementation plan for the participating school. They had to appoint a district liaison who was paid $3000 by PDE to serve as the conduit of all information between the district and the Department and its agents along with submitting orders and distributing supplies to implementing teachers. For the 2006-07 state education budget, $10 million was allocated. The 2006-07 State Education Budget provided $635 million in new spending for pre-K through 12th grades for the 2006-07 school year. This marked an 8-percent increase over 2005-06 public school funding. The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget. The grant was discontinued in 2010 by Governor Rendell due to a massive state budget.

Environmental Education Grant

The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2010, Steelton-Highspire School District did not participate.

PreK Counts grant

Steelton-Highspire School District received state funding to provide taxpayer funded preschool at the elementary school for several years. The Districts was required to meet state mandates for the preschool program. In 2013 the district administration stopped applying for the state funding.

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. Steelton-Highspire School District was denied funding, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education evaluators, in 2006-07 and In 2007-08. The district received $80,405 in 2008-09. In Dauphin County, the highest award was given to Harrisburg School District - $692,809. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state financial crisis.

Safe School grant

In 2013, Steelton-HIghspire School District was awarded $15,000 in a state Safe Schools Targeted Grant. The maximum of $25,000 grants were awarded through a competitive application process. The funds must be used for research based interventions, like: peer mediation, staff training in managing behavioral issues and creating a positive school climate.

Literacy grant

Steelton-Highspire School District did not participate in the State's competitive literacy grant. Under the grant, the district was required to develop a lengthy literacy plan, which included outreach into the community. The funds come from a Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, also referred to as the Keystones to Opportunity grant It is a five-year, competitive federal grant program designed to assist local education agencies in developing and implementing local comprehensive literacy plans. Of the 329 pre-applications by school districts reviewed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, School District was one of only 148 entities that were invited to submit a full application. In Dauphin County no school districts were awarded funding. The funds must be used for teacher training, student screening and assessment, targeted interventions for students reading below grade level and research-based methods of improving classroom instruction and practice. Districts must hire literacy coaches. The coaches work with classroom teachers to enhance their literacy teaching skills. Pennsylvania was among six other states, out of the 35 that applied, to be awarded funding. Pennsylvania received $38 million through the federal program. The Department of Education reserved 5% of the grant for administration costs at the state level.

Other grants

The District did not participate in: 2013 Resource Officer grant; 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants; nor Project 720 High School Reform grants (discontinued effective with 2011-12 budget).

Federal Stimulus grant

Steelton-Highspire School district received an extra $1,563,296 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.

Education Assistance grant

The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the Steelton-Highspire School District received $116,182.

Race to the Top grant

District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have meant hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars 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. The Race to the Top grant aims to boost student achievement by rewarding states for adopting a slate of education reforms, including adopting common academic standards across state lines, tying teacher pay and tenure to student achievement, fixing failing schools and creating data systems to track student performance.

Title II grants

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

Public school district administrations must apply to the state annually for the Title II funds. In 2012-13, Steelton-Highspire School District received $58,613 in federal Title II funding. In 2014-15, Steelton-Highspire School District applied for and received $52,058.

English language learners grant

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

In 2012-13, Steelton-Highspire School District received $9,505 in Title III funding for English language learners. For 2014-15, Steelton-Highspire School District received $8,554 in Title III funding.

School Improvement Grant

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced in March 2012, that the first-year data suggest student achievement is improving at campuses that participated in the School Improvement grant program. He reported that at nearly 60 percent of SIG schools, more students are demonstrating proficiency in reading and math. Nearly a quarter of those schools reported math improvement in the double digits, and close to 20 percent of schools saw double-digit gains in reading.

In the summer of 2011, the district administration did not apply for School Improvement Grant funding, from the federal government (over $9.9 million available). The high school was eligible for funding due to chronic low achievement. The grant stipulates the funds be used for improving student achievement using one of four federally dictated strategies. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or closure of failing schools. The Pennsylvania Education Secretary awarded $66 million to reform Pennsylvania's lowest-achieving schools in August 2011. The funding is for three years.

For the 2010-11 school year, Steelton-Highspire School District administration applied for a federal School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the schools. The District was awarded $787,000 in a three-year grant to be used to reform the High School.

In 2010, Pennsylvania received $141 million from the Federal – U.S. Department of Education, to turn around its worst-performing schools. The funds were disbursed via a competitive grant program. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has identified 200 Pennsylvania schools as "persistently lowest-achieving," making them eligible for this special funding. Pennsylvania required low performing schools to apply or provide documentation about why they had not applied. The funds must be used, by the district, to turn around schools in one of four ways: school closure, restart - close the school and reopen it as a charter school. The other two options involve firing the principal. One would require at least half the faculty in a chronically poor performing school be dismissed. The second involves intensive teacher training coupled with strong curriculum revision or a longer school day.

21st Century learning grant

In July 2010, Steelton-Highspire School District received a federal grant which is run by the PDE. The grant calls for the establishment and sustainability of community learning centers that provide additional educational services to students in high-poverty and low-performing schools. The grant was competitive. Applications for the grants were reviewed and scored by a panel of representatives from the educational field and professional grant writers. The school received a 3-year grant of $144,000 per year. While 101 entities applied for the funding, only 66 were approved, including eight charter schools. The funding is for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Common Cents state initiative

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

Real estate taxes

Steelton-Highspire School Board levies a 25.4770 mills tax on real estate in 2015-16. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes in 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. According to state tax policy, unlike other states, natural gas and oil pipelines are exempted from property taxes. 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 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. In 2008, the total amount of property tax collected by Pennsylvania public school districts collected statewide declined for the first time since 1980.

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year. > In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index. The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school’s share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.

The School District Adjusted Index for the Steelton-Highspire School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.

For the 2015-16 budget year, Steelton-Highspire School Board did not apply for any exception to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget 2015-16, 310 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 187 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Regarding the pension costs exception, 172 school districts received approval to exceed the Index limit in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 119 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. No Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.

For the 2014-15 budget year, Steelton-Highspire 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, Steelton-Highspire 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, Steelton-Highspire 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. In Area School District the approved real estate tax rate Increase due to exceptions was 3.7148 mills.

In the 2011-12 school year, the Steelton-Highspire School Board also did not seek exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the Steelton-Highspire 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.

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

Property tax relief

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Steelton-Highspire School District was $235 and in 2009 was $242 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 1,635 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Dauphin County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2009, went to Harrisburg City School District at $446. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Dauphin County, 68.71% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. This was the second year they were the top recipient.

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%).

Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. There were 500 school districts in the Commonwealth in 2009. Eighty percent of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007. In 2009, Governor Edward Rendell called for consolidating to 100 school districts. In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policy and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

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 PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.

Sports

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

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.

The District funds:

According to PIAA directory July 2015