Hollidaysburg Area School District

Hollidaysburg Area School District
Address
201 Jackson St
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Blair County 16648-1615
United States
Information
Type Public
Closed Allegheny No 1 ES closed end of 2011-12 school year[1]
School board 9 locally elected members
Superintendent Dr. Robert Gildea
Administrator

Dr. Linda Dobbie, Director of Elementary Education

Dr. Gary D. Robinson, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Director Ms. Donna Messner, Director of Special Education
Principal Ms. Linda McCall, Principal, Senior High
Principal Mr. Edward Barton, Principal, Junior High
Faculty 258 teachers (2010)
Grades K-12
Age 5 years old to 21 years old Special Education
Pupils 3439 students (2010-11)[2]
 • Kindergarten 246
 • Grade 1 247
 • Grade 2 243
 • Grade 3 258
 • Grade 4 261
 • Grade 5 252
 • Grade 6 267
 • Grade 7 271
 • Grade 8 311
 • Grade 9 277
 • Grade 10 258
 • Grade 11 289
 • Grade 12 259
 • Other Enrollment projected to be 3771 pupils in 2019[3]
Color(s) Navy, Gold, and White
Mascot Golden Tiger
Budget $42.9 million 2012-13[4]
Tuition for nonresident and charter school students ES - 8,427.94, HS - 9,583.83[5]
Per pupil Spending $11,138 (2008)
Per pupil Spending $12,288.56 (2010)
Website http://www.tigerwires.com

The Hollidaysburg Area School District is a midsized, suburban public school district based in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. This school serves the boroughs of Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, and Newry, and the townships of Allegheny, Blair, Frankstown, and Juniata. The district encompasses approximately 120 square miles (310 km2). According to 2010 local census data, it serves a resident population of 27,555. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $19,907, while the median family income was $44,181.[6] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[7] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[8]

According to District officials, in school year 2009-10, the Hollidaysburg Area School District provided basic educational services to 3,522 pupils. Hollidaysburg Area School District employed: 281 teachers, 183 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 23 administrators. Hollidaysburg Area School District received more than $16.9 million in state funding in school year 2009-10.

Schools

The Hollidaysburg Area School District operates: 2 secondary and 3 elementary schools. The district also controls other various buildings.

Governance

The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serves without compensation for a term of four years.), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[9] 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 Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "D-" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[10]

Academic achievement

Hollidaysburg Area School District was ranked 104th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2012.[11] The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing math and science.[12] The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Hollidaysburg Area School District ranked 170th. In 2011, the district was 98th.[16] The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[17]

District AYP status history

In 2011, Hollidaysburg Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).[18] In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.[19] Hollidaysburg Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2009, while in 2003 the District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[20]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate at Hollidaysburg Area School District was 96%.[21] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School's rate was 96.92% for 2010.[22]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Senior high school

Hollidaysburg Area High School is located at 1510 North Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 901 pupils in grades 10th through 12th, with 225 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 65.85 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[27] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[28]

In 2011, Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School declined to Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[29] In 2010, the High School achieved AYP status under No CHild Left Behind.

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading

11th Grade Math:

11th Grade Science:

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 11% of the Hollidaysburg Area Senior 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.[43] 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.[44] 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.

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 221 Hollidaysburg Area students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 510. The Math average score was 518. The Writing average score was 491.[45] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[46] 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.[47]

U.S. News & World Report Award

In 2012, Holidaysburg Area Senior High School was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Silver-level high school in a nationwide school ranking.[48] The study was conducted by American Institutes for Research, which examined how many students attained performance levels that exceed statistical expectations given the school's relative level of student poverty, as measured by state accountability test scores for all the school's students in the core subjects of reading and math. The study also examined the success rate for the school's least advantaged student groups (e.g., black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students) that exceed state averages. The study included 752 high schools in Pennsylvania, including traditional public schools, public charter schools and public magnet schools.[49] In Pennsylvania, 136 public high schools achieved a Bronze rating in 2012; 49 achieved a silver rating and 7 received a gold rating. The highest ranking went to Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in the School District of Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Graduation requirements

The School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 27 units to graduate, including: Mathematics 4 units, Communications - 4 units, social science 4 units, science - 4 units Computer Science - 1 unit, Physical Education 2 units, Health 2 units, Humanities 1 unit and electives 5 units.[50] Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.[51]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2017, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.[52] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Junior high school

Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School is located at 1000 Hewit Street, Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 839 pupils in grades 7th through 9th, with 235 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 65 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[53] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[54]

In 2010 and 2011, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School achieved AYP status.[55]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Reading:

  • 2011 - 86% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 81.8%.[56]
  • 2010 - 85% (7% below basic). State - 81%[57]
  • 2009 - 85% (6% below basic), State - 80%[58]
  • 2008 - 85% (7% below basic), State - 78%[59]
  • 2007 - 86% (8% below basic), State - 75%[60]

8th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 82% on grade level (9% below basic). State - 76.9%
  • 2010 - 86% (5% below basic). State - 75%
  • 2009 - 83% (4% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2008 - 84% (4% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - 82% (8% below basic). State - 68%

8th Grade Science:

7th Grade Reading

  • 2011 - 85% on grade level (3% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2010 - 79% (11% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2009 - 78% (9% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2008 - 75% (10% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - 76% (9% below basic). State - 67%

7th Grade Math:

  • 2011 - 91% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 78.6%
  • 2010 - 89% (3% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2009 - 90% (6% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2008 - 86% (5% below basic), State - 71%
  • 2007 - 84% (6% below basic), State - 67%

Elementary schools

Charles W. Longer Elementary School is located at 1320 Union St., Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 354 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 165 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 26 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[61] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, most of Longer teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind, with the exception of 1 teacher who has an emergency certification.[62] In both 2010 and 2011, Charles W. Longer Elementary School achieved AYP status.[63] In 2011, 84% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 91% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 63% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 98% of the pupils were on grade level.[64]

Foot of Ten Elementary School is located at 450 Foot of Ten Rd., Duncansville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 529 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 144 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 37 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[65] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[66] In 2010 and 2011, Foot of Ten Elementary School achieved AYP status.[67] In 2011, 81% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In mathematics, 88% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 58% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 89% of the pupils were on grade level.[68]

Frankstown Elementary School is located at Rural Rte. 3, Box 592, Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 678 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 192 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 46 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[69] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[70] In 2011, Frankstown Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2010, the school was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[71] In 2011, only 85% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 89% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 62% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 92% of the pupils were on grade level with 58% advanced.[72]

Closed

Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School was located at 1160 Municipal Drive, Duncansville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 210 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 100 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 19 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 11:1.[73] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[74] In 2010 and 2011, Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School achieved AYP status.[75] In 2011, 83% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 90% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 66% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils were on grade level, with 60% advanced.[76] The School was closed at the end of the 2012 school year due to dilapidated building and low enrollment. The district administration claimed it will save $690,000 in building and staff costs. Repairs were estimated to cost between $3 to $5 million. In September 2012, the US Doe announced the school achieved Blue Ribbon School recognition. The school was nominated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Special education

In December 2010, the district administration reported that 421 pupils or 12% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[77] In December 2009, the district administration reported that 428 pupils or 12% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.

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.[78] 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.[79] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[80] 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.[81]

The Hollidaysburg Area School District received a $2,069,166 supplement for special education services in 2010.[82] For the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school year, 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.[83][84]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 147 or 3.98% 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.[85] 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.[86][87]

Budget

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Hollidaysburg Area School District was $50,989.47 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $16,945.31 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $67,934.77.[88] 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.[89]

In 2009, Hollidaysburg Area School District reported employing 294 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $52,543 and a top salary of $125,616.[90] The teacher’s work day is 7.5 hours with 180 student days in the contract year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and a plethora of other benefits.[91] Hollidaysburg Area School District teachers received a 3.9 percent salary increase in 2009. The teachers union contract expires Aug. 31, 2012.

Hollidaysburg Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $786.69 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[92] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association collects and maintains statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association's report, the average salary for a superintendent, for the 2007-08 school year, was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.[93] In 2011, the District's administrators accepted an on year salary freeze.[94] The District employed 23 administrators and management employees for a savings of $75,000.

In 2008 the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $11,138 which ranked 386th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010 the per pupil spending had increased to $12,288.56 ranking 344th.[95] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[96] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[97] The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[98]

Reserves In 2008, the district reported a balance of $55,583 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $4,313,240. [99] In 2010, Hollidaysburg Area Administration reported an increase to $4,657,597 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. 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.[100]

In January 2012, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the Hollidaysburg Area School District. The findings were reported to the School Board and the District’s administration.[101] A prior audit of professional employees’ certification for the period May 1, 2005 through June 11, 2008, found that one individual employed as a long-term substitute teacher did not hold the appropriate emergency certificate, and one individual was providing instruction on an expired Instructional I certificate. The District was accordingly subject to subsidy forfeitures for the 2007-08 and 2005-06 school years.

The District is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government.[102] 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.[103]

State basic education funding

For the 2012-13 school year, the district will receive $11,401,110.[104] 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. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[105] This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett’s first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In 2011-12, the district received a $11,239,519 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[106][107] Additionally, the School District received $161,591 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.[108] 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.[109]

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.26% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $12,085,845. Among the districts in Blair County, the highest increase went to Hollidaysburg Area School District. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[110] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even where enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell’s policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided Hollidaysburg Area School District a 3.14% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $11,591,944. Among the districts in Blair County, the highest increase went to Spring Cove School District which got a 4.68%. The state Basic Education Funding to the Hollidaysburg Area School District in 2008-09 was $11,239,519.25. Ninety school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[111] 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.[112] 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.[113][114] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 893 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[115]

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 district applied for and received $438,598 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten and reduced class size K-3rd grade.[116][117]

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 School District was denied funding by the PDE in 2006-07 and in 2007-08. The district received $162,699 in 2008-09.[118] In Blair County the highest award was given to Altoona Area School District getting $597,806. 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.

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received an extra $3,880,055 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[119][120] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.[121] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top grant

District officials applied for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided over nearly million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[122] 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.[123] 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.[124][125][126]

Other grants

Hollidaysburg Area School District did not participate in the PreK Counts grants, the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant of 2012 nor the Science It Elementary grants of 2007-2010.

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2012-13 were set by the school board at 97.5000 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.[127] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[128] When the 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.[129] 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.[130]

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.[138] The average yearly property tax paid by Blair County residents amounts to about 1.99% of their yearly income. Blair County is ranked 1441st of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[139]

Act 1 Adjusted Index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise property taxes above that Index unless they either: 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.[140] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[141] Several exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school’s share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[142][143]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Hollidaysburg Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[144]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Hollidaysburg Area 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.[146]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Hollidaysburg Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Hollidaysburg Area 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 published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[147]

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.[148]

Extracurriculars

The district offers an extensive variety of clubs, activities and a plethora of costly sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.

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.[149]

Sports

The District funds:

Boys
  • Baseball - AAA
  • Basketball -AAAA
  • Cross Country - AAA
  • Football - AAA
  • Golf - AAA
  • Indoor Track and Field - AAAA
  • Soccer - AAA
  • Swimming and Diving - AAA
  • Tennis - AAA
  • Track and Field - AAA
  • Wrestling - AAA
Girls
  • Basketball - AAAA
  • Cross Country - AAA
  • Golf - AAA
  • Indoor Track and Field - AAAA
  • Soccer (Fall) - AAA
  • Swimming and Diving - AAA
  • Softball - AAA
  • Girls' Tennis - AAA
  • Track and Field - AAA
  • Volleyball - AAA

Junior high school sports

Boys
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Track and Field
  • Wrestling

Girls
  • Basketball
  • Soccer (Fall)
  • Softball
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

References

  1. ↑ O'Reilly, Russ., HASD decides to close Allegheny No. 1, The Altoona Mirror, May 17, 2012
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Enrollment and Projections by LEA, July 20, 2011
  3. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2011). "Enrollment and Projections by school district".
  4. ↑ O'Reilly, Russ, (June 21, 2012). "Hollidaysburg passes budget". The Altoona Mirror.
  5. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Public School District Tuition Rates, May 2012
  6. ↑ US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
  7. ↑ US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts".
  8. ↑ US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
  10. ↑ The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. "The Pennsylvania Project". Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  11. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 6, 2012). "Guide to Pennsylvania Schools Statewide ranking".
  12. ↑ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2012". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 5, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2011". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 2011.
  14. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 30, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2010".
  15. ↑ "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007.
  16. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times, Statewide Overachivers Ranking Information, April 6, 2012
  17. ↑ "Overachiever statewide ranking". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 6, 2010.
  18. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Hollidaysburg Area School District AYP Overview 2011".
  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Public School District AYP History, 2011
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania District AYP History 2003-2010, 2011
  21. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Hollidaysburg Area School District AYP Data Table".
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  23. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card Data table 2010, October 20, 2010
  24. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  25. ↑ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "Blair County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  26. ↑ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF).
  27. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data - Hollidaysburg Area High School, 2010
  28. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Hollidaysburg Area High School, September 29, 2011
  29. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School Academic Report Card 2011, September 29, 2011
  30. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  31. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results".
  32. ↑ The Times-Tribune (September 14, 2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 PSSA results".
  33. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results".
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  36. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, October 20, 2010
  37. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  38. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
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  40. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA results in Science".
  41. ↑ The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  42. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Report on PSSA Science results by school and grade 2008".
  43. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,".
  44. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
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  46. ↑ College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  47. ↑ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". September 2011.
  48. ↑ US News; World Report (May 2012). "Holidaysburg Area Senior High School Overview 2012".
  49. ↑ US News; World Report (2012). "Pennsylvania High Schools Ranking".
  50. ↑ Hollidaysburg Area School District Administration, Course Description 2012-13, 2012
  51. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  52. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  53. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Hoolidaysburg Area Junior High School, 2010
  54. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Hoolidaysburg Area Junior High School, September 29, 2011
  55. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School AYP Overview, April 6, 2011
  56. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School Academic achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  57. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School Academic achievement Report Card 2010, October 20, 2010
  58. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School Academic achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  59. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School Academic achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
  60. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School Academic achievement Report Card 2007, September 2007
  61. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Charles W. Longer Elementary School, 2010
  62. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Charles W. Longer Elementary School, September 29, 2011
  63. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Charles W. Longer Elementary School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
  64. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Charles W. Longer Elementary School Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  65. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Foot of Ten Elementary School, 2010
  66. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Foot of Ten Elementary School, September 29, 2011
  67. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Foot of Ten Elementary School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
  68. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Foot of Ten Elementary School Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  69. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Frankstown Elementary School, 2010
  70. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Frankstown Elementary School, September 29, 2011
  71. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Frankstown Elementary School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
  72. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Frankstown Elementary School Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  73. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School, 2010
  74. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School, September 29, 2011
  75. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School AYP Overview, September 29, 2011
  76. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  77. ↑ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Services (2009–2010). "Hollidaysburg Area School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets".
  78. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania Special Education Funding".
  79. ↑ Senator Patrick Browne (November 1, 2011). "Senate Education Committee Holds Hearing on Special Education Funding & Accountability".
  80. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Amy Morton, Executive Deputy Secretary (November 11, 2011). "Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony".
  81. ↑ Baruch Kintisch Education Law Center (November 11, 2011). "Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony" (PDF).
  82. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2010). "Special Education Funding from Pennsylvania State_2010-2011".
  83. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  84. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Investing in PA kids, April 2012
  85. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (Revised December 1, 2009 Child Count (Collected July 2010)). "Gifted Students as Percentage of Total Enrollment by School District/Charter School" (PDF). Check date values in: |date= (help)
  86. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania School Board. "CHAPTER 16. Special Education For Gifted Students". Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  87. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 26, 2010). "Special Education for Gifted Students Notice of Parental rights" (PDF).
  88. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2012). "Investing in Pennsylvania Students".
  89. ↑ American Enterprise Institute, (2011). "Assessing the Compensation of Public School Teachers".
  90. ↑ Asbury Park Press (2009). "PA. Public School Salaries".
  91. ↑ Hollidaysburg Area School Board. "Hollidaysburg Area School District Teacher Union Employment Contract 2011".
  92. ↑ Fenton, Jacob., Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?, The Morning Call, February 2009
  93. ↑ Pennsylvania School Board Association (October 2009). "Public School Salaries 11th Annual".
  94. ↑ Clegg, Amanda (March 23, 2011). "Hollidaysburg school district administrators OK wage freeze". The Altoona Mirror.
  95. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-10 Selected Data - 2009-10 Total Expenditures per ADM".
  96. ↑ United States Census Bureau (2009). "States Ranked According to Per Pupil Elementary-Secondary Public School System Finance Amounts: 2008-09" (PDF).
  97. ↑ US Census Bureau (2009). "Total and current expenditures per pupil in fall enrollment in public elementary and secondary education, by function and state or jurisdiction: 2006-07".
  98. ↑ US Census Bureau (March 2003). "Public Education Finances 2000-01 Annual Survey of Local Government Finances" (PDF).
  99. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Fund Balances by Local Education Agency 1997 to 2008".
  100. ↑ Murphy, Jan., Pennsylvania's public schools boost reserves, CentreDaily Times, September 22, 2010
  101. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (January 2012). "Hollidaysburg Area School District Blair County, Pennsylvania Performance Audit Report".
  102. ↑ Penn State Cooperative Extension (2010). "What are the Local Taxes in Pennsylvania?, Local Tax Reform Education Project,".
  103. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (April 2010). "Personal Income Taxation Guidelines".
  104. ↑ Senator Jake Corman (June 28, 2012). "Pennsylvania Education funding by Local School District" (PDF).
  105. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly Sen Jake Corman (June 29, 2012). "SB1466 of 2012 General Fund Appropriation".
  106. ↑ PA Senate Appropriations Committee (June 28, 2011). "School District 2011-12 Funding Report".
  107. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  108. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  109. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  110. ↑ Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee Education Budget information (June 30, 2010). "PA Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010-2011" (PDF). Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  111. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 2009). "Funding Allocations by district".
  112. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of Budget (February 2009). "Governor's Budget Proposal 2009 Pennsylvania Department of Education Budget Proposal 2009".
  113. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau., Annual Survey of Local Government Finances., 2000
  114. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau., 2008 Survey of Local Government Finances – School Systems, 2010
  115. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Funding Report by LEA, 2009
  116. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Accountability Block Grant report Grantee list 2010".
  117. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Accountability Block Grant Mid Year report".
  118. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Classrooms for the Future grants audit" (PDF).
  119. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2009). "County ARRA FUNDING Report".
  120. ↑ ProPublica (2009). "Recovery Tracker Eye on the stimulus".
  121. ↑ "School stimulus money". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 12, 2009.
  122. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (December 9, 2009). "Race To The Top Webinar powerpoint for districts December 2009" (PDF).
  123. ↑ Governor's Press Office release (January 20, 2010). "Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support,".
  124. ↑ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
  125. ↑ Gerald Zahorchak (December 2008). "Pennsylvania Race to the Top Letter to Superintendents" (PDF).
  126. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 19, 2009). "Pennsylvania Race to the Top -School Districts Title I Allocations 2009-10".
  127. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Real Estate Tax Rates by School District 2011-12 Real Estate Mills".
  128. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2004). "Act 511 Tax Report".
  129. ↑ State Tax Equalization Board (2011). "State Tax Equalization Board About US".
  130. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General office - Bureau of Audits (February 2011). "A Special Performance Audit of the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Boards" (PDF).
  131. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  132. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  133. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Financial Elements Reports".
  134. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Financial Elements Reports 2008-09 Real Estate Mills".
  135. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  136. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2006). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  137. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2005). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  138. ↑ Pennsylvania School Finances - Summaries of Annual Financial Report Data 2008-09
  139. ↑ Blair County Property Taxes 2012, Tax rates.org, 2012
  140. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2010-11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines".
  141. ↑ Kaitlynn Riely (August 4, 2011). "Law could restrict school construction projects". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  142. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly (June 29, 2011). "SB330 of 2011".
  143. ↑ Eric Boehm (July 1, 2011). "Property tax reform final piece of state budget". PA Independent.
  144. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2010). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 School District Adjusted Index for 2006-2007 through 2010-2011".
  145. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2012-2013 School District Adjusted Index, May 2012
  146. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Report on Referendum Exceptions For School Year 2012-2013, March 30, 2012
  147. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 the Taxpayer Relief Act information".
  148. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (April 2011). "Report on Exceptions".
  149. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
  150. ↑ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2012). "PIAA School Directory".
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