- Northern Potter School District
-
Northern Potter School District 
Address 745 SR 49 Northern Potter Road
Ulysses, Pennsylvania, Potter, 16948
United StatesInformation School board 9 elected members Superintendent Scott V Graham Grades K-12 Kindergarten 78 Grade 1 31 Grade 2 32 Grade 3 32 Grade 4 32 Grade 5 43 Grade 6 47 Grade 7 41 Grade 8 40 Grade 9 46 Grade 10 56 Grade 11 39 Grade 12 33 Other Enrollment to decline to 362 by 2019 Mascot Panther Website northernpottersd.org The Northern Potter School District is a public school district in Potter County, Pennsylvania. It serves the municipalities of Ulysses, Ulysses Township, Genesee, Bingham, and Harrison. Portions of Allegany and Hector Townships are also within its boundaries. The district features one elementary school and one junior–senior high school.
Contents
Academic achievement
Northern Potter School District was ranked by the Pittsburgh Business Times 331st out of 500 Pennsylvania school districts for student academic achievement by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2008. The ranking was based on three years of PSSA results for: reading, writing, mathematics and one year of science results.
Graduation rate
2010 - 92%[1]
2009 - 92%[2]
2008 - 100%
2007 - 100%[3]PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 51%, State - 67% on grade level.[4] (41 pupils)
2009 - 44%, State - 65%[5]
2008 - 46%, State - 65%11th Grade Math:
2010 - 41% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
2009 - 31%, State - 56%[6]
2008 - 34%, State - 56%11th Grade Science:
2010 - 33% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 16%, State - 40%
2008 - 26%, State - 39%Graduation project
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.[7]
8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 75% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (37 pupils)
2009 - 54%, State - 80.9%[8]
2008 - 65%, State - 78%8th Grade Math:
2010 - 51% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 54%, State - 71%[9]
2008 - 59%, State -70%8th Grade Science:
2010 - 56% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 52%, State - 55%
2008 - 45%, State - 50%7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 64%, State - 73% on grade level.[10] (42 pupils)
2009 - 47%, State - 71%
2008 - 54%, State - 70%7th Grade Math:
2010 - 71%, State - 77% on grade level.
2009 - 63%, State - 75%
2008 - 59%, State - 70%Northern Potter Children's School
6th Grade Reading:
2010 - 68%, State - 68% on grade level.
2009 - 73%, State - 67%[11]
2008 - 74%, State - 67%6th Grade Math:
2010 - 85%, State - 67% on grade level.
2009 - 93%, State - 75%
2008 - 88%, State - 72%5th Grade Reading:
2010 - 60%, State - 64% on grade level. (38 pupils)
2009 - 61%, State - 64%
2008 - 67%, State - 61%5th Grade Math:
2010 - 61%, State - 73% on grade level.
2009 - 78%, State - 73%
2008 - 90%, State - 73%4th Grade Reading:
2010 - 91%, State - 72% on grade level. (34 pupils)
2009 - 73%, State - 72%
2008 - 73%, State - 70%4th Grade Math:
2010 - 94%, State - 84% on grade level.
2009 - 85%, State - 82%
2008 - 96%, State - 79%4th Grade Science:
2010 - 100%, State - 81% on grade level.
2009 - 90%, State - 83%
2008 - 93%, State - 81%3rd Grade Reading:
2010 - 66%, State - 75% on grade level. (36 pupils)
2009 - 100%, State - 77%
2008 - 93%, State - 77%3rd Grade Math:
2010 - 75%, State - 84% on grade level.
2009 - 100%, State - 81%
2008 - 93%, State - 80%Special Education Services
In December, 2008 the district reported that 15.5% of pupils receive special education services.[12] A parent or staff member may initiate the referral process for special assistance or gifted education, by submitting a written request. Screening information will be used by the Prereferral Intervention Team to meet the child's specified needs or to document the need for further evaluation. If it is determined that a child needs additional services, the Prereferral Intervention Team makes adjustments relative to such things as the child's learning style, behavior, physical inabilities, and speech problems. Recommendations are made and put into effect in the regular classroom setting. Parents are involved in the prereferral process. If a student does not make progress with prereferral involvement, parents will be asked to give written permission for necessary individual professional evaluations.[13]
Wellness policy
Northern Potter School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[14] 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 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.[15]
The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Budget
In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $48,505 for 180 days worked. This was the highest average teacher salary in Potter County in 2007.[16] In 2009 salaries of NPSD teachers range from $98,325 to $38,000.[17] 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.[18] Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits.[19] 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.[20]
The district's administrative costs per pupil were $973 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[21] In 2007 the school board awarded a five year employment contract to Scott V. Graham. The starting salary was $95,000 plus an extensive benefits package including: life insurance, health insurance, a defined benefit .pension and the taxpayer pays for dues, as well as travel to conferences.[22]
In 2008, the district reported spending $22,324 per pupil which was 4th highest in the state out of 500 school districts.[23]
In 2009 the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Several findings were cited including teacher credentials.[24]
The district is funded by a combination of local taxes including: 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 income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's wealth.[25]
State Funding
In the 2010-2011 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $4,287,833. The majority of Potter County districts received a 2% increase. The highest increase in Potter County went to Coudersport Area School District which received a 5.50% increase. The largest increase in Pennsylvania, went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state Basic Education Funding in 2010.[26] The amount each district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education in the state's annual budget proposal.[27]
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $4,203,758. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $4,121,330.60. For comparison, Governor Rendell gave a 7.46% increase in funding to Bradford Area School District and Hazleton Area School District received a 13.36% increase in state funding in 2009.
Federal Stimulus Funding
The district received $822,336 in 2009-2010 of ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[28] This was for the 2008-09 school year to 2009-2010.
Race to the Top Grant - School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[29] 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.[30] 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.[31] Substantial local property tax increases will be needed to make up the declined revenue.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising taxes. In Pennsylvania, pension income and social security income are exempted from Pennsylvania income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of wealth.[32]
Real estate taxes
Property tax rates were set by the Northern Potter School Board at 28.7980 mills in 2009-2010.[33] 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.
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 1.4 percent, but it can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as local 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, increasing rising health care 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.[34]
The School District Adjusted Index for the Northern Potter School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[35]
2006-07 - 5.8%, Base 3.9%
2007-08 - 5.0%, Base 3.4%
2008-09 - 6.3%, Base 4.4%
2009-10 - 5.9%, Base 4.1%
2010-11 - 4.1%, Base 2.9%
2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4%[36][37]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.[38] In 2010, the Northern Potter School Board did not seek any exceptions and budgeted within the Act 1 Index limit.[39]
Property tax relief
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Northern Potter School District was $249 per approved permanent primary residence. This was among the lowest amounts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the district, 946 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.[40] In 2009, 79% of Potter County property owners applied for the property tax relief.[41]
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, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate.[42]
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%).[43]
Enrollment
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, total enrollment K-12 is 550 students. There were 49 students in the Class of 2009. The senior class of 2010 has 33 students. Enrollment in Northern Potter School District enrollment is projected to continue to decline to 362 by 2019.[44] Northern Potter spent $973 per pupil on administrative costs in 2008. This was ranked 69th of 500 school districts for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[21] With limited resources, opportunities for students are acutely limited. In a Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study on school consolidation, 63% of the superintendents that responded expressed agreement that consolidation with another district could help them provide additional academic enrichment opportunities for their students.[45] Consolidation with adjacent school districts would achieve substantial cost savings for people in all the impacted communities.[46] The savings could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to substantially reduce property taxes.[47]
Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent.[48] 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. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[49] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[50]
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. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[49] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[50]
Extracurriculars
The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policy.[51]
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.[52]
References:
- ^ Northern Potter School District Report Card 2010 data table
- ^ Northern Potter School District Report Card 2009
- ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children - High School Graduation Rates 2007
- ^ 2009-2010 PSSA and AYP Results
- ^ Northern Potter Junior Senior High School Report Card 2009
- ^ 2009 PSSA RESULTS Northern Potter SD
- ^ Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements
- ^ Northern Potter School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
- ^ Northern Potter Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Math and Reading Results 2010
- ^ Northern Potter Children's Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
- ^ Northern Potter School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets
- ^ Annual Public Notice of Northern Potter School District Screening and Evaluation Procedures
- ^ Northern Potter School Board Policy 246
- ^ Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive, Pennsylvania Department of Education — Division of Food and Nutrition. July 2008
- ^ Fenton, Jacob, Average classroom teacher salary in Potter County, 2006-07. The Morning Call. accessed March 2010.
- ^ Pa. Public School Salaries, 2009, Asbury Park Press, accessed 2010
- ^ Teachers need to know enough is enough, PaDelcoTimes, April 20, 2010.
- ^ Northern Potter Professional Education Association Employment Contract 2009
- ^ Legislature must act on educators' pension hole. The Patriot News. February 21, 2010
- ^ a b Fenton, Jacob. Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?, The Morning Call, Feb 2009.
- ^ Northern Potter SD Superintendent contract, Benefits of Learning Altoona MIrror. July 2007
- ^ Per Pupil Spending in Pennsylvania Public Schools in 2008 Sort by Administrative Spending
- ^ NORTHERN POTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT POTTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT APRIL 2009
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Personal Income Taxation Guidelines. accessed April 2010
- ^ PA Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010-2011
- ^ Pennsylvania Budgets1999 to 2010
- ^ Potter County ARRA FUNDING Report
- ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support
- ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support, Governor's Press Office release, January 20, 2010.
- ^ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue - Personal Income Tax information
- ^ Real Estate Tax Millage by School District, Pennsylvania Department of Education 2009
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education 2010-11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines.
- ^ Pennsylvania Property Tax SSAct1 Adjusted Index History 2006-07 to 2011-12, Report prepared by Pennsylvania Department of Education, May 2010.
- ^ Index Calculation Required by the Taxpayer Relief Act Sept 18, 2010
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Financial Data Elements
- ^ Scarcella, Frank and Pursell, Tricia, Local school tax assessments exceed state averages. The Daily Item, May 25, 2010
- ^ Pennsylvania Report on Referendum Exceptions
- ^ Property Tax Reduction Allocations
- ^ Property Tax Relief in Pennsylvania Special Report, Pennsylvania Office of the Auditor General, Jack Wagner, Auditor General. February 2010.
- ^ Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
- ^ New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners, Tax Foundation, September 22, 2009.
- ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Enrollment and Projections for Northern Potter School District January 2009
- ^ Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee Public School Consolidation Study. June 1, 2007
- ^ Fenton, Jacob, Administrative Costs for Potter County School Districts 2007-08, The Morning Call, July 2009
- ^ 2009-10 Executive Budget Facts Pennsylvania School District Consolidation, Edward Rendell, Governor and Mary Soderberg, Secretary of the Budget. February 2009
- ^ "Research Analyzes Rural School District Enrollment and Building Capacity", The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. October 2009
- ^ a b Rendell, E. & Soderberg, M. (2009). Pennsylvania school district consolidation. 2009-10 Executive Budget Fast Facts. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor.
- ^ a b Study of the cost-effectiveness of consolidating Pennsylvania districts. New York: Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services. 2007, p. 6.
- ^ Northern Potter School Board Policies online
- ^ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
Categories:- School districts in Potter County, Pennsylvania
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