Northern Tioga School District

Northern Tioga School District
Address
117 Coates Ave. Elkland, Pennsylvania, Tioga, 16920 United States
Information
School board	9 members
Grades	K-12
Kindergarten	139
Grade 1	151
Grade 2	182
Grade 3	152
Grade 4	158
Grade 5	156
Grade 6	130
Grade 7	162
Grade 8	193
Grade 9	215
Grade 10	188
Grade 11	175
Grade 12	178
Other	Enrollment declining to 2110 by 2019[1]
Website	http://www.ntiogasd.org/

The Northern Tioga School District is a public school district in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, spanning 335 square miles (870 km²) in the county's northern sector. Municipalities served include: Tioga, Tioga Township, Jackson Township, Lawrenceville, Lawrence Township, Farmington Township, Elkland, Elkland Township, Osceola Township, Knoxville, Chatham Township, Deerfield Township, Brookfield, Westfield, and Clymer Township The district consists of three elementary schools: Westfield Elementary, Clark Wood Elementary and R.B. Walter Elementary, housing grades K-6. The high schools consist of grades 7-12 with integrated middle schools. The secondary program is housed in three high schools: Cowanesque Valley, Elkland Area and Williamson High Schools.

Governance

Northern Tioga 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 district is divided into three regions. The board members are elected from these regions.

The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills.

The 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

Northern Tioga School District was ranked 386th out of the 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts in 2010 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance as demonstrated in 4 years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, math and two years of science.^[4]

• 2009 - 398th
• 2008 - 383rd
• 2007 - 383rd out of 501 districts^[5]

In 2009, the district was in the bottom 33 percentile for student academic achievement among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts.^[6]

Cowanesque Valley Junior Senior High School

Graduation rate
2010 - 90%^[7]
2009 - 89%

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 65% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (55 pupils)^[8]
2009 - 54%, State - 65% (57 pupils enrolled)^[9]
2008 - 54%, State - 65% (62 enrolled)^[10]

11th Grade Math:
2010 - 61% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 40%, State - 56%
2008 - 51%, State - 55%

11th Grade Science:
2010 - 41% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 33%, State - 40%
2008 - 30%, State - 39%

8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 73% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (56 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 71%, State - 80% (63 pupils)
2008 - 73%, State - 78% (71 pupils)

8th Grade Math:
2010 - 71% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 69%, State - 71%
2008 - 68%, State - 70%

'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 52% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 60%, State - 55%
2008 - 45%, State - 52%

7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 83% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (49 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 70%, State - 71% (55 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 68%, State - 70% (55 pupils enrolled)

7th Grade Math:
2010 - 87% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 78%, State - 75%
2008 - 74%, State - 70%

Elkland Area High School

In 2010 the school is in School Improvement I level due to drop out rate.
In 2009, the school was in Warning - Did not make AYP status.

Graduation rate
2010 - 67%^[11]
2009 - 69%

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 53% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (42 pupils) ^[12]
2009 - 57%, State - 65% (44 pupils) ^[13]
2008 - 41%, State - 65% (43 pupils) ^[14]

11th Grade Math:
2010 - 36% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 44%, State - 56%
2008 - 37%, State - 55%

11th Grade Science:
2010 - 19% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 25%, State - 40%
2008 - 31%, State - 39%

8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 88% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (44 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 74%, State - 80% (49 pupils)
2008 - 69%, State - 78% (48 pupils)

8th Grade Math:
2010 - 90% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 71%, State - 71%
2008 - 57%, State - 70%

'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 72% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 51%, State - 55%
2008 - 43%, State - 52%

7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 80% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (49 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 76%, State - 71% (55 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 79%, State - 70% (58 pupils enrolled)

7th Grade Math:
2010 - 53% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 84%, State - 75%
2008 - 82%, State - 70%

Williamson Senior High School

Graduation rate
2010 - 91%^[15]
2009 - 82%

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2010 - 50% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (71 pupils) ^[16]
2009 - 47%, State - 65% (83 pupils) ^[17]
2008 - 41%, State - 65% (87 pupils) ^[18]

11th Grade Math:
2010 - 47% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level
2009 - 45%, State - 56%
2008 - 49%, State - 55%

11th Grade Science:
2010 - 26% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2009 - 38%, State - 40%
2008 - 25%, State - 39%

8th Grade Reading:
2010 - 81% on grade level. State - 81% of 8th graders were on grade level (72 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 69%, State - 80% (71 pupils)
2008 - 75%, State - 78% (77 pupils)

8th Grade Math:
2010 - 80% on grade level. State - 75% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 69%, State - 71%
2008 - 80%, State - 70%

'8th Grade Science:
2010 - 64% on grade level. State - 57% of 8th graders were on grade level
2009 - 48%, State - 55%
2008 - 46%, State - 52%

7th Grade Reading:
2010 - 68% on grade level. State - 73% of 7th graders were on grade level (64 pupils enrolled)
2009 - 64%, State - 71% (75 pupils enrolled)
2008 - 52%, State - 70% (73 pupils enrolled)

7th Grade Math:
2010 - 89% on grade level. State - 77% of 7th graders were on grade level
2009 - 74%, State - 75%
2008 - 60%, State - 70%

Graduation requirements

The Northern Tioga School District School Board has determined that 26 credits are required for graduation including: English - 4 credits, Math - 3 credits including Algebra and Geometry; Social Studies - 3 credits including American Government, Science - 3 credits including Science 9 & Biology; Physical Education - 2 credits, Health - 0.5 credit, Computer applications 1 credit, Fine or Practical Arts - 1 credit, Senior Project 1 credit that includes 40 hours community service and 7.5 credits of electives. ^[19]

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. ^[20]

Beginning with the class of 2015, students must take the Keystone Exams in reading and math.^[21]

Elementary Schools

• Clark Wood Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 [1]
• Russell Walter Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 [2]
• Westfield Area Elementary School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009 [3]

Special Education

In 2008, the district reported that 15% of its pupils received a broad variety of services for all children with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.^{[22] [23]} By law, parents may make a written request for their child to be evaluated for special education or gifted education services.

Budget

In 2007 the Northern Tioga School District employed 201 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $45,043 for 180 days worked. ^[24] In 2009, the district employes over 200 teachers with a salary range of $40,000 to $114,000. ^[25] The faculty receives an extensive benefits package which includes: health insurance, life insurance, free college courses, fees to professional organizations and a defined benefit pension. ^[26]

The district administrative costs per pupil were $634.02 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. ^[27]

The district reported spending $11,746 per pupil in 2008 which ranked 302nd in the state.^[28]

On May 12, 2008, the Northern Tioga School District Board of Directors adopted the 2008 - 09 proposed final budget in the amount of $30,354,042 reflecting an increase of $270,736 over the current budget.^[29]

Reserves In the 2009-10 budget proposal the district reported having $4,829,535 in unreserved funds.^[30]

The Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district in July 2009. Multiple findings were noted.^[31]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax of 0.5 percent, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. ^[32] By Pennsylvania law, pension income and social security income are exempted from Pennsylvania income tax and from local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's level of wealth. ^[33]

State Basic Education Funding

In 2010-11 the district received a 2.49% increase in state funding for a total of $12,699,883.^[34] Southern Tioga School District highest funding increase given among Tioga County school districts at3.23%. In Pennsylvania, the highest increase went to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in basic education funding from the state. The amount each district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education in the state budget proposal each February.^[35]

In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.21% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $12,390,820. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $11,777,103.28. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1,115 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.^[36] The district also received supplemental funding for: Title I (federal funding for low income students), for district size, a poverty supplement from the Commonwealth and more. In Pennsylvania, the highest state funding increase was 22% to Muhlenberg School District.^[37]

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, All Day Kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math Coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students, For 2010-11 the district applied for and received $541,697 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The Northern Tioga School District used the funding to provide All Day Kindergarten to 152 pupils. ^{[38] [39]}

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. Northern Tioga School District was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the school received $266,753 and in 2008-09 it received $136,238 for a total of $402,991. ^[40]

Education Assistance Grant

The state's Education Assistance Program funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the Northern Tioga School District received $54,916. ^[41]

Federal Stimulus grant

The district received $2,283,398 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.^[42] In 2008 the district reported that 1115 pupils received a free or reduced price lunch due to low family income.

Race to the Top Grant

Northern Tioga School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands to one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.^[43] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved forf the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.^[44]

Common Cents state initiative

The 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.^[45] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

In 2010 the Northern Tioga School Board set real estate taxes at 15.2591 mills. ^[46] 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.

• 2009-10: 14.6160 mills.^[47]

• 2008-09: 13.7600 mills.^[48]

According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09.^[49]

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.^[50]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Northern Tioga School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.^[51]
2006-07 - 6.0%, Base 3.9%
2007-08 - 5.2%, Base 3.4%
2008-09 - 6.7%, Base 4.4%
2009-10 - 6.3%, Base 4.1%
2010-11 - 4.4%, Base 2.9%
2011-12 - 2.1%, Base 1.4%

In 2010, the Northern Tioga School Board applied for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index citing Maintenance of Selected Revenue Source and Pension Obligations. ^[52] 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.^[53]

Property tax Relief

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Northern Tioga School District was $133 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,559 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Pennsylvania, the highest property tax relief went to residents in Chester Upland School District in Delaware County which received $632 per approved homestead. 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.^[54] In 2009 the district's allocation was $142 per homestead. ^[55]

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.^[56]

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%).^[57]

Enrollment

Enrollment in Northern Tioga School District is projected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to decline another 100 pupils to 2039 pupils by 2015. ^[58] 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.^[59] As the enrollment declines, per pupil administrative costs of the schools will continue to rise.

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. ^[60] This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.^[61] 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.^[62]

Extracurriculars

The district offers an extensive program of after school clubs, arts programs and interscholastic athletics. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policy and communicated via the Athlete's Code of Conduct. Academic Eligibility for athletic activities is based on the premise that academic performance is the keystone of the future and the standard against which participation is measured. Athletes will be passing in all subjects, (60%). Grades will be checked on a weekly basis.^[63]

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.^[64]

References

1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Enrollment and Projections 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. ^ Statewide Honor Roll Rankings April 30, 2010
5. ^ Pennsylvania Public School Rankings, Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2008.
6. ^ 2009 PSSA RESULTS Northern Tioga SD. The Morning Call.
7. ^ Cowanesque Valley Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 data table
8. ^ Pennsylvania 2009 -2010 PSSA and AYP Results Reading, Math, Science, Writing
9. ^ Cowanesque Valley Junior High School Report Card 2009
10. ^ Pennsylvania 2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results Reading, Math, Science, Writing
11. ^ Elkland Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 data table
12. ^ Pennsylvania 2009 -2010 PSSA and AYP Results Reading, Math, Science, Writing
13. ^ Elkland Area High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
14. ^ Pennsylvania 2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results Reading, Math, Science, Writing
15. ^ Williamson Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 data table
16. ^ Pennsylvania 2009 -2010 PSSA and AYP Results Reading, Math, Science, Writing
17. ^ Williamson Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
18. ^ Pennsylvania 2007-2008 PSSA and AYP Results Reading, Math, Science, Writing
19. ^ Northern Tioga School District Curriculum Guide 2010
20. ^ Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements
21. ^ Pennsylvania’s New Graduation Requirements
22. ^ Northern Tioga School District Student Services Notice
23. ^ Northern Tioga School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets School Year 2008-2009
24. ^ Fenton, Jacob, Average classroom teacher salary in Tioga County, 2006-07. The Morning Call. accessed March 2009.
25. ^ PA Public School Salaries, 2009, Asbury Park Press.
26. ^ Northern Tioga Education Association Contract 2009
27. ^ Fenton, Jacob. Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?, The Morning Call, Feb 2009.
28. ^ Per Pupil Spending in Pennsylvania Public Schools in 2008 Sort Spending
29. ^ NORTHERN TIOGA School District Budget 2008-09
30. ^ Northern Tioga School District Budget 2009-10
31. ^ NORTHERN TIOGA SCHOOL DISTRICT TIOGA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT JULY 2009
32. ^ What are the Local Taxes in Pennsylvania?, Local Tax Reform Education Project, Penn State Cooperative Extension web site. Accessed 2010.
33. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue - personal Income tax information
34. ^ PA Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010-2011
35. ^ Pennsylvania Budget Proposals
36. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Funding Report by LEA October 2009.
37. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education 2009-2010 Funding Report by LEA October 2009.
38. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education - Accountability Block Grant report 2010, Grantee list 2010
39. ^ Accountability Block Grant Mid Year report
40. ^ Pennsylvania Auditor General CFF grants audit 12/22/08
41. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education - Educational Assistance Program Funding 2010-2011 Fiscal Year
42. ^ Tioga County ARRA FUNDING 2009-2010
43. ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support
44. ^ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
45. ^ Common Cents program - Making Every Dollar Count
46. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Finances_Real Estate Tax Rates 2010-11
47. ^ Real Estate Tax Millage by School District, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. 2009
48. ^ Pennsylvania School District Real Estate Tax Rates 2008-09
49. ^ Pennsylvania School Finances - Summaries of Annual Financial Report Data 2008-09
50. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education 2010-11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines.
51. ^ 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.
52. ^ Pennsylvania Special Session Act1 property tax relief Report_2009-2010_May09
53. ^ Scarcella, Frank and Pursell, Tricia, Local school tax assessments exceed state averages. The Daily Item, May 25, 2010
54. ^ Property Tax Reduction Allocations 2010-2011 Fiscal Year
55. ^ Pennsylvania Property Tax Reduction Allocations
56. ^ Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
57. ^ New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners, Tax Foundation, September 22, 2009.
58. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Enrollment Data and Statistics
59. ^ "Research Analyzes Rural School District Enrollment and Building Capacity", The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. October 2009
60. ^ Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, Study of the Cost Effectiveness of Consolidating Pennsylvania School Districts, 2007.
61. ^ Rendell, E. & Soderberg, M. (2009). Pennsylvania school district consolidation. 2009-10 Executive Budget Fast Facts. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor.
62. ^ Study of the cost-effectiveness of consolidating Pennsylvania districts. New York: Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services. 2007, p. 6.
63. ^ Northern Tioga School District Athletes’ Code
64. ^ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005