Montgomery Area School District

Montgomery Area School District
Address
120 Penn Street Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Lycoming, 17752 United States
Information
School board	9 elected members
Superintendent	Daphne L. Ross
Grades	K-12
Kindergarten	121
Grade 1	65
Grade 2	64
Grade 3	77
Grade 4	52
Grade 5	65
Grade 6	65
Grade 7	67
Grade 8	67
Grade 9	87
Grade 10	61
Grade 11	68
Grade 12	68
Other	Enrollment projected to remain stable through 2019
Website	[1]

The Montgomery Area School District is a small, rural, public school district in Lycoming County. The school is centered on the borough of Montgomery and also serves the townships of Clinton Township, Brady Township, and Washington Township. The district features two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The district encompasses approximately 87 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 7,749. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the Montgomery Area School District provided basic educational services to 944 pupils through the employment of 82 teachers, 57 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 5 administrators.

Academic achievement

Montgomery Area School District was ranked 88th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2011 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance based on the PSSAs for: reading, writing, math and three years of science. ^[2]

• 2010 - 93rd ^[3]
• 2009 - 99th
• 2008 - 102nd
• 2007 - 76th out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts.^[4]

In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Montgomery Area School District, was in the 88th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) ^[5]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate at Montgomery Senior HIgh School declined to 81%. ^[6] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Montgomery Area High School's rate was 89% for 2010.^[7]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

• 2010 - 85% ^[8]
• 2009 - 87%
• 2008 - 87% ^[9]
• 2007 - 87% ^[10]
• 2005 - 86%

High School

In 2011, the high school achieved Warning status. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status.

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 74% on grade level, (12% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[11]
• 2010 - 73% on grade level (11% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders on grade level.^[12]
• 2009 - 73% (4% below basic), State - 65% ^[13]
• 2008 - 63% (15% below basic), State - 65%^[14]
• 2007 - 76% (14% below basic), State - 65% ^[15]
• 2005 - 78%, 40% advanced (13% below basic), State - 65% ^[16]
• 2004 - 61%, 24% advanced (20% below basic), State - 61%

11th Grade Math

• 2011 - 78%, on grade level (3% below basic). State - 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 72%, (14% below basic). State - 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2009 - 78% (7% below basic). State - 56%
• 2008 - 78% (5% below basic). State - 56% ^[17]
• 2007 - 63% (13% below basic). State - 53%
• 2005 - 76% (10% below basic). State - 51%
• 2004 - 72% (16% below basic). State - 49%

11th Grade Science

• 2011 - 60% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 45%, (11% below basic), State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level. ^[18]
• 2009 - 49% (6% below basic). State - 40% ^[19]
• 2008 - 44% (7% below basic). State - 39%

Graduation Requirements

The Montgomery Area School Board has determined that a student must earn 28 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Science 4 credits, and Health 1 course, Physical Education 2 courses, Drivers Ed 1 course and enough electives to achieve 28 credits.^[20]

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.^[21] The students at Montgomery Area High School are required to complete a career planning project.

By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2015 and 2016, 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. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.^[22]

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 17% of Montgomery 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.^[23] 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.^[24] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

The high school offers the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.^[25] Students may earn credits through Luzerne County Community College and Keystone College. They also have access to Bloomsburg University ACE program during the school year and the summer months.^[26] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[27] The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.^[28]

In 2010 the district received a $6,320 state grant to be used to assist students with tuition, fees and books.

Middle School

In 2011 and in 2010 the school achieved AYP status. ^[29] In 2011, the attendance rate was 95%. In 2010, the attendance rate was reported as 95%.

8th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 96% on grade level, 77% advanced. In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
• 2010 - 86%, 52% advanced (8% below basic) State - 81% ^[30]
• 2009 - 74%, 50% advanced (14% below basic), State - 80%
• 2008 - 83%, 57% advanced (10% below basic), State - 78%
• 2007 - 76%, 42% advanced (6% below basic), State - 75%^[31]
• 2005 - 81%, 41% advanced (13% below basic), State - 64%
• 2004 - 70%, 28% advanced (8% below basic), State - 69%

8th Grade Math

• 2011 - 96% on grade level, 77% advanced. State - 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
• 2010 - 87%, 67% advanced (8% below basic) State - 75%
• 2009 - 65%, 38% advanced (13% below basic), State - 71%
• 2008 - 84%, 57% advanced (8% below basic), State - 70% ^[32]
• 2007 - 83%, 48% advanced (11% below basic), State - 67%
• 2005 - 79%, 57% advanced (10% below basic), State - 62%
• 2004 - 72%, 37% advanced ( 5% below basic), State - 58%

8th Grade Science

• 2011 - 83% on grade level. State - 58.3%.
• 2010 - 68%, State - 57%.
• 2009 - 56%, State: - 54% ^[33]
• 2008 - 58%, State - 52% ^[34]

7th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 96% on grade level, 82% advanced. State – 76%
• 2010 - 91%, 63% advanced, (5% below basic) State - 73%
• 2009 - 82%, 33% advanced (9% below basic), State - 71.7%
• 2008 - 76%, 40% advanced (13% below basic), State - 70%
• 2007 - 69%, 42% advanced (7% below basic), State - 66%

7th Grade Math

• 2011 - 94% on grade level. 48% advanced. State - 78.6%
• 2010 - 92%, 77% advanced (3% below basic) State - 77%
• 2009 - 87%, 67% advanced (6% below basic), State - 75%
• 2008 - 84%, 58% advanced (9% below basic), State - 72%
• 2007 - 87%, 62% advanced (4% below basic), State - 67%

6th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 84% on grade level, 61% advanced. State - 78.8%
• 2010 - 88%, 45% advanced (8% below basic) State - 68%
• 2009 - 88%, 58% advanced (3% below basic), State - 67%
• 2008 - 82%, 39% advanced (3% below basic), State - 67%
• 2007 - 75%, 34% advanced (8% below basic), State - 63%

6th Grade Math

• 2011 - 93% on grade level, 71% advanced. State - 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 - 98%, 82% advanced (0% below basic) State - 78%
• 2009 - 94%, 76% advanced (1% below basic), State - 75.9%
• 2008 - 83%, 76% advanced (1% below basic), State - 72%
• 2007 - 85%, 61% advanced (3% below basic), State - 69%

Elimsport Elementary School

In 2010, the attendance rate was reported as 97%.^[35] In April 2011, the school board closed the school and moved all the students the main campus. ^[36]

5th Grade Reading;

• 2010 - 77%, 31% advanced, State - 64% ^[37]
• 2009 - 86%, 29% advanced, State - 64%
• 2008 - 93%, 31% advanced, State - 62%
• 2007 - 64%, 11% advanced, State - 60%
• 2005 - 100%, 33% advanced, State - 64%
• 2004 - 85%, 46% advanced, State - 63% ^[38]

5th Grade Math;

• 2010 - 92%, 77% advanced, State - 74%
• 2009 - 90%, 81% advanced, State - 73%
• 2008 - 100%, 87% advanced, State - 73%
• 2007 - 100%, 76% advanced, State - 71%
• 2005 - 100%, 100% advanced, State - 68%
• 2004 - 100%, 69% advanced, State - 61%

4th Grade Reading;

• 2010 - 100%, 83% advanced, State - 73%
• 2009 - 100%, 50% advanced, State - 72%
• 2008 - 89%, 57% advanced, State - 70%
• 2007 - 92%, 71% advanced, State - 60%

4th Grade Math;

• 2010 - 100%, 100% advanced, State - 84%
• 2009 - 100%, 75% advanced, State - 81%
• 2008 - 94%, 89% advanced, State - 80%
• 2007 - 98%, 76% advanced, State - 78%

4th Grade Science;

• 2010 - 100%, 78% advanced, State - 81%
• 2009 - 100%, 58% advanced, State - 83%
• 2008 - 100%, 78% advanced, State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading;

• 2010 - 100%, 40% advanced, State - 75%
• 2009 - 100%, 50% advanced, State - 77%
• 2008 - 100%, 42% advanced, State - 70%
• 2007 - 100%, 50% advanced, State - 72%

3rd Grade Math;

• 2010 - 100%, 87% advanced, State - 84%
• 2009 - 100%, 78% advanced, State - 81%
• 2008 - 100%, 78% advanced, State - 80%
• 2007 - 100%, 61% advanced, State - 78%

Montgomery Elementary School

In 2011 and 2010, the school achieved AYP status. ^[39] In 2011, the attendance rate was 95%, while in 2010, the attendance rate was reported as 96%. ^[40]

5th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 86% on grade level (16% advanced). In Pennsylvania, 67.3% of 5th graders are on grade level. ^[41]
• 2010 - 79%, 28% advanced, State - 64% ^[42]
• 2009 - 83%, 21% advanced, State - 64%
• 2008 - 88%, 39% advanced, State - 62%
• 2007 - 68%, 19% advanced, State - 60%

5th Grade Math

• 2011 - 92% on grade level, 59% advanced. State - 74%
• 2010 - 89%, 66% advanced. State - 74%
• 2009 - 93%, 71% advanced. State - 73%
• 2008 - 95%, 83% advanced. State - 73%
• 2007 - 80%, 62% advanced. State - 71%

4th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 87%, 43% advanced, State – 73.3%
• 2010 - 86%, 54% advanced. State - 73%
• 2009 - 88%, 56% advanced. State - 72%
• 2008 - 89%, 54% advanced. State - 70%
• 2007 - 93%, 64% advanced. State - 60%

4th Grade Math

• 2011 - 96%, 81% advanced, State – 85.3%
• 2010 - 89%, 73% advanced,State - 84%
• 2009 - 92%, 73% advanced, State - 81%
• 2008 - 95%, 80% advanced, State - 80%
• 2007 - 93%, 77% advanced, State - 78%

4th Grade Science

• 2011 - 94%, 58% advanced, State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 92%, State - 81%
• 2009 - 96%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 95%, State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading

• 2011 - 87%, 43% advanced, State – 77.2%
• 2010 - 92%, 32% advanced, State - 75%
• 2009 - 85%, 26% advanced, State - 77%
• 2008 - 98%, 24% advanced, State - 70%
• 2007 - 82%, 17% advanced, State - 72%

3rd Grade Math

• 2011 - 96%, 45% advanced, State – 83.5%
• 2010 - 94%, 62% advanced, State - 84%
• 2009 - 88%, 50% advanced, State - 81%
• 2008 - 94%, 49% advanced, State - 80%
• 2007 - 95%, 50% advanced, State - 78%

Special Education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 125 pupils or 13% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.^[43]

The 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, 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 Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. 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 Special Education Department.^[44]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving 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.^[45]

Montgomery Area School District received a $565,613 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[46] The state funding for the 2011-12 school year was the same as 2010-11. The enacted state budget included $1,026,815,000, for the 2011-2012 Special Education appropriation.^[47]

Gifted Education

The District Administration reported that 5 or 0.66% of its students were gifted in 2009.^[48] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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.^[49]

Remediation/Acceleration

The district operates a mandatory acceleration/remediation program at the end of the school day. The program is called MAPP (Montgomery Area Plus Program). It focuses on providing small group assistance in those academic areas in which students have not met standards. It runs at all schools at the end of the school day.

Bullying policy

The Montgomery Area School District administration reported there was 1 incident of bullying in the district in 2009.^[50][51]

The Montgomery Area School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.^[52] 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.^[53] 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.^[54]

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.^[55]

Budget

In 2009, the district reports employing over 80 teachers with a starting salary of $40,000 for 180 days for pupil instruction.^[56] The average teacher salary was $55,388 while the maximum salary is $107,965.^[57] As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation.^[58] Additionally, Montgomery Area School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 sick days and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day ^[59] According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.^[60]

In 2007, the district employed 70 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $51,484 for 180 school days worked.^[61]

Montgomery Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $752 per pupil. The district is ranked 252nd out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[62]

In 2008, Montgomery Area School District reported spending $13,507 per pupil. This ranked 136th in the commonwealth.^[63]

Reserves

In 2009, the district reported $2,632,392 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $150,000.^[64]

In December 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.^[65]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.^[66]

State basic education funding

In 2011-12, the Montgomery Area School District will receive $4,945,496 in state Basic Education Funding. ^[67] Additionally, the district will receive $51,249 in Accountability Block Grant funding. ^[68]

For 2010-11 the Montgomery Area School District received a 2% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $5,345,294 payment.^[69] Loyalsock Township School District received a 8.13% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Lycoming County. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-11. 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.^[70]

In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $5,044,406. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $4,945,495.81. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more.^[71] Loyalsock Township School District received a 5.94% increase, the highest increase in Lycoming County for the 2009-10 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.^[72]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 277 district students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.^[73]

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 Montgomery Area School District applied for and received $139,104 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full day kindergarten for the 7th year.^[74][75]

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. Montgomery Area School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the district received $102,358. For the 2008-09, school year the district received $45,413 for a total of $147,771. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.^[76]

Halliburton Donation

In 2010, Halliburton donated $30,000 to upgrade the district's media center. The money was used to provide distance learning programs. The resources permit students to participate in a web based accelerated reader program, research lab, individualized math and reading remediation programs, virtual field trips, interaction with classrooms across the globe, distance learning, digital book clubs and author discussions.^[77]

Federal Stimulus Grant

The district received an extra $1,331,660 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.^[78] The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.

Race to the Top grant

School district officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.^[79] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. ^[80] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.^[81] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of the majority of school districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.^[82]

Common Cents state initiative

The Montgomery Area School Board chose to 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.^[83] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes. The review identified potential annual savings of over $78,000 over a variety of cost centers including: food services, transportation, purchasing and utility costs. Opportunities for savings in food services and utility costs appeared particularly promising for the district.

Real estate taxes

The school board set property tax rates in 2010-2011 at 11.9200 mills.^[84] 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. 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.^[85]

• 2009-2010 - 11.0000 mills. ^[86]
• 2008-2009 - 11.0000 mills.
• 2007-2008 - 11.0000 mills. ^[87]

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 authorized 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.^[88]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Montgomery Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.^[89]

• 2006-07 - 5.5%, Base 3.9%
• 2007-08 - 4.9%, Base 3.4%
• 2008-09 - 6.2%, Base 4.4%
• 2009-10 - 5.8%, Base 4.1%
• 2010-11 - 4.1%, Base 2.9%
• 2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4%
• 2012-13 - 2.4%, Base 1.7%

Montgomery Area School Board applied for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index limit in 2011-12 due to pension costs and to maintain selected revenue sources. ^[90] Under Act 1 of 2006, school districts had the option of adopting either 1) a resolution by January 27 certifying they would not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget by February 16. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. For 2011-2012, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. In the Spring of 2011, 228 Pennsylvania public school district requested at least one exception to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. ^[91]

Montgomery Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11.^[92] 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.^[93]

Property tax relief

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Montgomery Area School District was $207 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 1,541 property owners applied for the tax relief.^[94] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's 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. The Pennsylvania Auditor General found that 69% of property owners applied for tax relief in Lycoming County.^[95] In Lycoming County, the highest property tax relief in 2009 was $310 awarded to the approved property owners in Williamsport Area School District. 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.^[96] This was the second year Chester Upland School District was the top recipient.

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 individuals who have income 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.^[97]

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%).^[98]

Enrollment and consolidation

Montgomery Area School District is experiencing low enrollment in K-12. The Pennsylvania Department of Education projects the district's enrollment will remain below 1000 pupils through 2018.^[99] Shifting population trends across the U.S. and Pennsylvania are affecting school enrollment and may impact the building needs of school districts in the years to come.^[100] Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline. More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).^[101]

A study done by Standard and Poors in 2007 (at the request of the PA General Assembly) examined the district consolidating with neighboring Muncy School District. It found that residents in both districts would realize substantial savings in a consolidation. Savings of over $1000 per pupil were estimated.^[102] Superintendent were asked about savings, if their district were to merge with another district at the administrative level only, but not close any of their schools. It found 42% of survey respondents thought consolidation could achieve cost reductions. Additionally, 63% of responding superintendents believed that consolidation with another district would help provide additional academic enrichment opportunities for the students.^[103] In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district, would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion dollars without forcing the consolidation of any schools.^[104] The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration.^[105]

Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% 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.^[106]

Extracurriculars

The Montgomery Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Several sports are offered in cooperation with the Muncy School District. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies.^[107][108]

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 home schooled, 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.^{[109][110][111]}

Notes

1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2009). "Montgomery Area School District Enrollment and Projections". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/enrollment_projections/18805. 
2. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 2011). "Statewide Honor Roll Information.". http://www2.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/events/pennsylvania_schools/statewiderank.html. 
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