McKeesport Area School District

McKeesport Area School District
Address
3590 O'Neil Boulevard McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Allegheny, 15132 United States
Information
School board	9 elected board members
Superintendent	Timothy M. Gabauer
Grades	K-12
Kindergarten	242
Grade 1	278
Grade 2	259
Grade 3	284
Grade 4	294
Grade 5	282
Grade 6	293
Grade 7	284
Grade 8	287
Grade 9	393
Grade 10	316
Grade 11	306
Grade 12	274
Other	Enrollment Projected to decline to 3400 by 2019[1]
Website	http://www.mckasd.com

The McKeepsort Area School District is a public school district serving the Pittsburgh suburbs of Dravosburg, McKeesport, South Versailles Township, Versailles, and White Oak. encompasses approximately 7 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 36,567. The district features three elementary schools for grades K-3: Centennial, White Oak, and George Washington Elementary Schools. Students in grades 4-6 then attend Francis McClure Intermediate School and Cornell Intermediate School. Founder's Hall serves students in grades 7-8. McKeesport Area High School houses about 1280 students in grades 9-12 in 2009.

Governance

The 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.^[2] 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 its resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.

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.^[3]

Academic achievement

The McKeesport Area School District was ranked 100th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania School Districts in 2009, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 2 years of science.^[4] In 2008, the school ranked 100th out of 105 western Pennsylvania districts.

The McKeesport ASD Statewide Ranking in 2010 based on academic achievement of students in: reading, writing, math and science for 498 districts
2010 - 480th out of 497 districts evaluated. ^[5]
2009 - 479th out of 500 districts
2008 - 481st
2007 - 481st out of 501 districts^[6]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the McKeesport school district was in the 4th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) ^[7]

• 2010 - the district is in Making Progress: in Corrective Action I due to chronic low student achievement.
• 2009 - the district is in Corrective Action II 4th Year due to chronic low student achievement. Students may transfer to a different local school at no cost to the parents. ^[8]

In its 2010 application for School Improvement Grants, the Pennsylvania Department of Education identified McKeesport Area Senior High School as a candidate for turnaround intervention.^[9] The school district applied for funding under the program. Nineteen Pennsylvania school districts and five charters statewide applied for the money. Schools accepting it must agree to adopt federal government-specified "interventions" that would lead to staffing changes and other shifts in how they operate.^[10] The School Improvement Grant program began in 2002. In 2010 there is the one-time addition of almost $3 billion in stimulus funding. The district received $3,360,000 to transform the high school.^[11] The school was required to notify parents of its intention to implement the changes required by the grant. ^[12] Parents notice [1]

Graduation Rate
2010 - 83%^[13]
2009 - 87%^[14]
2008 - 87%
2007 - 87%^[15]

High school

McKeesport Area Senior High School is in Corrective Action II 3rd Year for chronically low academic scores in 2010.^[16]

In 2010, the high school was identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, as eligible for a School Improvement Grant due to it being one of the lowest performing schools whose Adequate Yearly Progress status is School Improvement or Corrective Action, and it has not made satisfactory progress on state assessments. The district received $3,360,000 to transform the high school. Transformation model includes the use of rigorous, transparent, and equitable evaluation systems for teachers and principals, high-quality professional development and design and development of curriculum with teacher and principal involvement.^[17]

The McKeesport Area Senior High School ranks 100th of 123 high schools in western Pennsylvania for academic achievement based on four years of PSSA results on: math, reading, writing and two years of science, by Pittsburgh Business Times in May 2009.^[18]

• 2009 - ranked 100th out of 123 high schools.

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 47% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. ^[19]
2009 - 49%, State - 65%^[20]
2008 - 51%, State - 65%
2007 - 36%, State - 65%^[21]

11th Grade Math:
2010 - 34% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 24%, State - 56%^[22]
2008 - 29%, State - 56%
2007 - 21%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science:
2010 - 10% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[23]
2009 - 8%, State - 40%
2008 - 12%, State - 39% ^[24]

College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 48% of McKeesport 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.^[25] 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.^[26] 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 program

The high school offers a Dual Enrollment program. ^[27] 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 at their high school. 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.^[28] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[29]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $27,646 for the program.

Graduation requirements

The school board has determined that in order to graduate from McKeesport Area School District a student must earn 28 credits including: English 4 Credits, Mathematics 3 Credits, Science 3 Credits, Social Studies 3 Credits, PSSA (1/2 mathematics, 1/2 reading) Credit 1, Health and Physical Education 2.5 Credits and Elective 11.5 Credits.^[30]

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.^[31]

Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in Literature (reading) and Algebra 1. ^[32]

Founders Hall Middle School

The eighth grade at Founder's Hall ranked 99th out of 106 western Pennsylvania eighth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2010, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, writing and two years of science PSSAs.^[33]

• 2009 - ranked 130th out of 141 western Pennsylvania 8th grades.

8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 81% of 8th graders on grade level.
2009 - 68%, State - 80%^[34]
2008 - 61%, State - 78%

8th Grade Math:
2010 - 58% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 75% of 8th graders on grade level.
2009 - 56%, State - 71%
2008 - 52%, State - 70%

8th Grade Science:
2010 - 27% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 57% of 8th graders on grade level.
2009 - 24%, State - 55%
2008 - 27%, State - 52%

Seventh Grade
The seventh grade at Founder's Hall ranked 98th out of 106 western Pennsylvania seventh grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2010, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, writing and two years of science PSSAs.^[35]

7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 67% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 73% of 7th graders on grade level.
2009 - 47%, State - 71%
2008 - 57%, State - 70%

7th Grade Math:
2010 - 74% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 73% of 7th graders on grade level.
2009 - 64%, State - 75%
2008 - 65%, State - 70%

Francis McClure Middle School

Sixth Grade The sixth grade at McClure ranked 124th out of 207 western Pennsylvania sixth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, and writing. PSSAs.^[36]

6th Grade Reading:
2010 - 63% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 68% of 6th graders on grade level.
2009 - 64%, State - 67%^[37]
2008 - 60%, State - 67%

6th Grade Math:
2010 - 82% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 78% of 6th graders on grade level.
2009 - 79%, State - 75%
2008 - 65%, State - 72%

Fifth Grade

The fifth grade at McClure ranked 187th out of 287 western Pennsylvania fifth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, and writing. PSSAs.^[38]

5th Grade Reading:
2010 - 54% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 64% of 5th graders on grade level.
2009 - 55%, State - 64%
2008 - 59%, State - 61%

5th Grade Math:
2010 - 68% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 74% of 5th graders on grade level.
2009 - 70%, State - 73%
2008 - 81%, State - 73%

Fourth Grade

The fourth grade at McClure ranked 200th out of 313 western Pennsylvania fourth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, writing and 2 years of science. PSSAs.^[39]

4th Grade Reading:
2010 - 64% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 72% of 4th graders on grade level. (128 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 66%, State - 72%>
2008 - 77%, State - 70%

4th Grade Math:
2010 - 84% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 84% of 4th graders on grade level.
2009 - 89%, State - 81%
2008 - 89%, State - 79%

4th Grade Science:
2010 - 72% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 81% of 4th graders on grade level.
2009 - 81%, State - 83%
2008 - 86%, State - 81%

Cornell Middle School

Sixth Grade The sixth grade at Cornell ranked 172nd out of 207 western Pennsylvania sixth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, and writing. PSSAs.^[40]

6th Grade Reading:
2010 - 45% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 68% of 6th graders on grade level. (140 pupils enrolled0
2009 - 47%, State - 67%^[41]
2008 - 44%, State - 67%

6th Grade Math:
2010 - 66% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 78% of 6th graders on grade level.
2009 - 65%, State - 75%
2008 - 65%, State - 72%

Fifth Grade

The fifth grade at Cornell ranked 252nd out of 287 western Pennsylvania fifth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, and writing. PSSAs.^[42]

5th Grade Reading:
2010 - 36% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 64% of 5th graders on grade level. (147 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 45%, State - 64%
2008 - 41%, State - 61%

5th Grade Math:
2010 - 49% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 74% of 5th graders on grade level.
2009 - 60%, State - 73%
2008 - 63%, State - 73%

Fourth Grade

The fourth grade at Cornell ranked 289th out of 313 western Pennsylvania fourth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by four years of results on: math, reading, writing and 2 years of science. PSSAs.^[43]

4th Grade Reading:
2010 - 47% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 72% of 4th graders on grade level. (137 pupils enrolled) ^[44]
2009 - 40%, State - 72%>
2008 - 49%, State - 70%

4th Grade Math:
2010 - 68% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 84% of 4th graders on grade level.
2009 - 61%, State - 81%
2008 - 69%, State - 79%

4th Grade Science:
2010 - 53% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 81% of 4th graders on grade level.
2009 - 47%, State - 83%
2008 - 59%, State - 81%

Bullying policy

In 2009 the administrative reported there were no incidents of bullying in the district. ^{[45] [46]}

The McKeesport Area School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. A policy defines bullying and cyberbullying. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying.^[47] The board expects staff members to be responsible to maintain an educational environment free from all forms of bullying. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.^[48] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.^[49]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.^[50]

Wellness policy

The McKeesport Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.^[51] 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.^[52]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Budget

In 2009 the district reported employing over 670 teachers with a salary range of $38,000 to $130,000.^[53] In addition to salary the teachers and administrators receive an extensive benefits package including: health insurance, life insurance, personal and sick days, reimbursement for college courses, additional payment for extra time worked and a defined benefit pension. ^[54] The average teacher salary was $55,246.

In 2007, the district employed 273 teacher with the average teacher salary in the district was $51,645 for 180 days worked.^[55]

McKeesport administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $840.68 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[56] In June 2009, the McKeesport School Board awarded a five year contract to Dr. Michael B. Brinkos for the position of Superintendent effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2014 at a starting salary of $130,000. The additional contract terms included an extensive benefits package.^[57] The high school has three principals. ^[58]

In 2010, the school board named Timothy M. Gabauer superintendent with a starting salary of $134,000. ^[59]

Reserves - In 2008, the McKeesport Area School Board reported a $5,910,640.00 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.^[60]

In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration. ^[61]

The district levies the following taxes: a property tax, a local earned income tax and a real estate transfer tax. Grants also provide supplemental school funding without raising local taxes. Pennsylvania exempts both pension income and social security income from state income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's level of wealth.^[62]

State basic education funding

For the 2010-2011 budget year the district was provided with a 2% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $24,265,721. In Allegheny County, the highest state funding increase was awarded to South Fayette Township School District which received an 11.32% increase. In Allegheny County, 23 school districts received the base 2% increase and 150 Pennsylvania school districts received a 2% increase. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.^[63] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation made in the budget proposal made in February each year.^[64]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.53% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $23,789,923 to McKeesport Area School District. Four school districts in Allegheny County received an increase of over 6 percent. Chartiers Valley School District received an 8.19% increase, which was the highest increase in Allegheny County in 2009-10. In Pennsylvania, a 2% increase in funding was the lowest amount and 20 Allegheny County districts were given this based amount. Ninety Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received an increase of over 22.31%. Fifteen school districts received Basic Education increases in excess of 10%. The state Basic Education funding to the McKeesport Area School District in 2008-09 was $22,978,793.88.^[65] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation made in the budget proposal made in February each year.^[66]

Federal Funding

Federal Stimulus Grant

The district received an extra $5,303,695 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.^[67] The funding is for 2009-2011 school years.

Additionally, in 2010, the district applied for and will receive an extra $15 million in federal stimulus funding for construction projects.^[68] This funding is from the federal Qualified School Construction Bond Program. In order to qualify the school district's 2007-2008 equalized millage must be greater than or equal to 19.0 or the school district must be in a county designated distressed for 2010 by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the school district's October 2008 Free and Reduced Lunch percentage must be greater than or equal to 45 percent; or the school district's average daily membership must have increased between 2002–2003 and 2007-2008 by more than 500 or by more than 10 percent. Additionally, 100 percent of available project proceeds must be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities, equipment for these facilities, or related site acquisition. In Pennsylvania, 46 school districts received more than $600 million in bonds made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Pennsylvania's allocation for the Qualified School Construction Bonds was $602 million – the sixth largest allocation in the nation. Under the program, the federal government pays essentially 100 percent of the interest on the QSCB bonds, which are issued under the recovery act's Build America Bonds program.^[69]

Race to the Top grant

School district officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant. The district is identified as a turnaround district due to chronically poor academic achievement of its students. When approved for the grant, the district would receive millions of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Turnaround status also brings an extra $700 per student, in supplemental funding above the basic grant amount.^[70] Pennsylvania did not receive a federal grant. The failure of the majority of school districts to apply to participate was cited as one reason for the rejection. ^[71]

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), along with other specialized equipment and provided funding for teacher training to optimize the use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006-2009. McKeesport Area School District received $299,773 in 2007, $299,766 in 2008 and $45,413 in 2009 for a total grant of $644,952. ^[72]

Common Cents state initiative

The McKeesport School Board elected to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. ^[73] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The school board levied a real estate tax of 17.71 mills in 2008-09.^[74] 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. On the local level, Pennsylvania district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.^[75]

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 2010-2011 school year is 2.9 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.^[76]

The School District Adjusted Index for the McKeesport Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011. ^[77]

• 2006-07 - 5.8%, Base 3.9%
• 2007-08 - 5.1%, Base 3.4%
• 2008-09 - 6.6%, Base 4.4%
• 2009-10 - 6.2%, Base 4.1%
• 2010-11 - 4.4%, Base 2.9%

For the 2010-2011 school year, the school board did not apply for an exception to exceed the district's Act 1 index limit. ^{[78] [79]} 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.^[80]

Property tax relief

The property tax relief amount for the McKeesport Area School District was set at $316 for 7,706 approved applicants by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in May 2010.^[81]

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the McKeesport Area School District was $321 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 7,598 approved property owners applied for the tax relief. 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 Allegheny County, 60% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.^[82] In highest property tax relief in 2009 and 2010 went to Chester Upland School District in Delaware County which got $632 per approved homestead and farmstead.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently, people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).^[83]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is set by school board policy.^[84]

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.^[85]

21st Century Community Learning Center

McKeesport Area School District has been designated as a CCLC before and after school program provider. It received state funding through a grant. CCLCs provide academic, artistic and cultural enhancement activities to students and their families when school is not in session. The 2010 grant is $468,000.^[86]

References:

1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Enrollment and Projections by School District, January 2009
2. ^ Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
3. ^ The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. "The Pennsylvania Project". http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Pennsylvania_school_districts. Retrieved May 20, 2010. 
4. ^ Western Pennsylvania School District Rankings, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
5. ^ Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2010
6. ^ Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 23, 2007.
7. ^ 2009 PSSA RESULTS McKeesport Area School District, The Morning Call, 2009
8. ^ McKeesport Area School District AYP Status 2010
9. ^ School Improvement Grants 2010 Application Pennsylvania
10. ^ Low-ranking Pennsylvania schools seek School Improvement Grants
11. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Announces $101 Million in Federal Funds for Bold Reforms to Boost Student Achievement August 2010.
12. ^ PDE - Federal Programs - School Improvement site
13. ^ MCKeesport Area Senior High School AYP Overview Data table
14. ^ McKeesport Area School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
15. ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children - High School Graduation Rate 2007
16. ^ McKeesport Are School District AYP Status report
17. ^ Department of Education Announces $101 Million in Federal Funds
18. ^ Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools - 11th grade Rankings, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
19. ^ 2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results
20. ^ McKeesport Area Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
21. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Math and Reading results by School 2007
22. ^ 2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results
23. ^ PSSA Science Results 2010 Science PSSA results 2010
24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report on Science PSSA 2008 August 2008.
25. ^ Pennsylvania College Remediation Report
26. ^ National Center for Education Statistics - IPEDS 2008
27. ^ McKeesport Area School District Dual Enrollment information
28. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education - Dual Enrollment Guidelines.
29. ^ Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement. site accessed March 2010.
30. ^ McKeesport Area School District Guidance information
31. ^ Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements
32. ^ Pennsylvania’s New Graduation Requirements
33. ^ The Rankings: 8th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
34. ^ Founders Hall Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
35. ^ The Rankings: 8th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
36. ^ The Rankings: 6th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
37. ^ McClure Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
38. ^ The Rankings: 5th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
39. ^ The Rankings: 4th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
40. ^ The Rankings: Cornell Middle School, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
41. ^ Cornell Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
42. ^ The Rankings: 5th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
43. ^ The Rankings: 4th Grades, Pittsburgh Business Times, April 30, 2010
44. ^ Cornell Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
45. ^ McKeesport Area SD School Safety Annual Report 2008 - 2009
46. ^ Pennsylvania Safe Schools Online Reports
47. ^ McKeesport Area Senior High School Student Handbook Bullying Policy
48. ^ Regular Session 2007-2008 House Bill 1067, Act 61 Section 6 page 8
49. ^ Center for Safe Schools of Pennsylvania, Bullying Prevention advisory
50. ^ Pennsylvania Academic Standards
51. ^ McKeesport Area School Board Policy Manual
52. ^ Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive, Pennsylvania Department of Education — Division of Food and Nutrition. July 2008
53. ^ Pa. Public School Salaries, 2009, Asbury Park Press, 2009
54. ^ McKeesport Area School District and Teacher Union contract
55. ^ Fenton, Jacob, Average classroom teacher salary in Allegheny County, 2006-07. The Morning Call. accessed March 2009.
56. ^ Fenton, Jacob. Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?, The Morning Call, Feb 2009.
57. ^ McKeesport Area School Board Meeting minutes June 24, 2009
58. ^ Niederberger, Mary, New superintendents, new buildings greet returning students in South suburbs, Post Gazette, August 20, 2009
59. ^ Cloonan, Patrick, McKeesport Area board promotes Gabauer to top job, Pittsburgh Tribune Review. September 23, 2010
60. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education report on Fund Balances by Local Education Agency 1997 to 2008
61. ^ MCKEESPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT JANUARY 2010
62. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue - Personal Income Tax information 2010
63. ^ Pennsylvania House Appropriation Committee PA Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010-2011
64. ^ Pennsylvania Budget Proposal 2010-11, Office of the Budget, February 2010
65. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education report on School District Funding for 2009-10, publicly released October 2009.
66. ^ Pennsylvania Budget Proposal 2009-10, Office of the Budget, February 2009
67. ^ Allegheny County ARRA FUNDING
68. ^ Barnes, Tom, Western PA schools get $153 million in federal building funds, The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, June 3, 2010
69. ^ "Qualified School Construction and Qualified Zone Academy Bond Programs". June 3, 2010. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/american_recovery_and_reinvestment_act/17696/qualified_school_construction_and_qualified_zone_academy_bond_programs/635506. 
70. ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support
71. ^ US Department of Education RACE TO THE TOP FUND
72. ^ Pennsylvania Auditor General CFF grants audit 12/22/08
73. ^ Common Cents program - Making Every Dollar Count
74. ^ Real Estate Tax Millage by School District, Pennsylvania Department of Education. Financial Data Elements 2009
75. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Act 511 Tax Report, 2004
76. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education 2010-11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines.
77. ^ Special Session Act 1 of 2006 School District Adjusted Index for 2006-2007 through 2010-2011, Report prepared by Pennsylvania Department of Education, May 2010.
78. ^ [SSAct1_Act1 Referendum Exceptions Report 2010-2011 April 2010 http://www.scribd.com/doc/34849378/SSAct1-Act1-Referendum-Exceptions-Report-2010-2011-April-2010]
79. ^ [http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/referendum_exceptions/7456 Referendum Exceptions Special Session Act 1 of 2006]
80. ^ Scarcella, Frank and Pursell, Tricia, Local school tax assessments exceed state averages. The Daily Item, May 25, 2010
81. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Tax Relief per Homestead and Farmstead. May 5, 2010.
82. ^ Special Report Pennsylvania Property Tax Relief, Auditor General Office, 2-23-2010.
83. ^ New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners, Tax Foundation, September 22, 2009.
84. ^ McKeesport School Board Policy Manual - Extracurriculars Policy and Interscholastic Athletics Policy
85. ^ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
86. ^ Pennsylvania Awards $29.9 Million to Support 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Pennsylvania Department of Education Press Release, April 7, 2010