Old Forge School District

Old Forge School District
Old Forge Campus Home of the Blue Devils
Location
300 Marion Street Old Forge, PA 18518 United States
Information
Type	Public School
Established	1910
Superintendent	R. Scott Jeffery
Principal	Christopher C. Thomas
Vice principal	Regina Krieger
Grades	K–12
Enrollment	918 pupils enrolled (2010) [1]
Kindergarten	76
Grade 1	61
Grade 2	66
Grade 3	63
Grade 4	86
Grade 5	69
Grade 6	67
Grade 7	59
Grade 8	79
Grade 9	70
Grade 10	86
Grade 11	87
Grade 12	49
Other	Enrollment projected to be 1001 pupils in 2019
Campus type	Suburban
Color(s)	Blue and Gold
Sports	Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Golf, Cross Country
Mascot	Blue Devil
Rival	Riverside School District
Yearbook	"The Forge" (since 1961)
Information	570-457-6721
Elementary principal	Nicole VanLuvender
Business Manager	Anthony J. Spadoni
Athletic Director	Deborah Pepsin
Maintenance supervisor	Francis Colianni
Website	School web site

The Old Forge School District is a small public school district serving the municipality of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Scranton in Lackawanna County. The district encompasses approximately 3 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,798. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income was $19,228, while the median family income was $46,152. ^[2] According to District officials, in school year 2007-08, the Old Forge School District provided basic educational services to 932 pupils. It employed 65 teachers, 35 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 6 administrators. In 2011 the enrollment K-12 was 925 pupils.^[3] The school mascot is the Blue Devil.

History

The original high school

Since 1910, the town of Old Forge has had its own school district. Originally, there were several elementary schools throughout Old Forge serving each section of town, such as Central, Lawrenceville, Moosic Road, Sussex, Sibley, and Rendham. The high school was located on South Main Street (the site of the recently closed Eckerd's, now Ace Hardware), which housed grades 9-12. A separate building in the rear of the main high school served as another elementary school and a gymnasium. This structure was destroyed by fire in the late 1950s.

In 1956, it was decided that all schools should be consolidated into one large building. Many feel that it was the building of a new school that saved Old Forge from the growing trend of jointures that was taking place throughout the area in the 1960s and 1970s. Groundbreaking began on July 21, 1956 at the current site located on Marion Street. The new school opened for the 1960–1961 school year and is still in use to this day, receiving major renovations during the 1990s. All the old schools have since been demolished.

Academic achievement

The Old Forge School District was ranked 282nd out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on five years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, mathematics and three years of science.^[4]

• 2010 - 263rd ^[5]
• 2009 - 211th
• 2008 - 232nd
• 2007 - 174th of 501 school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.^[6]

In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Old Forge School District, was in the 44th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) ^[7]

In 2008, the combined SAT score of the students in Old Forge School District was 920. Lackawanna County's average SAT score was 954 in 2008. This was a 12 point increase over the 2007 average. Among Lackawanna County school districts, the highest SAT score average was achieved at Abington Heights School District.^[8]

Graduation rate

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Old Forge School District's rate was 96% for 2010.^[9]

• 2010 - 98%^[10]
• 2009 - 97%
• 2008 - 98% ^[11]
• 2007 - 98% ^[12]

Junior Senior High School

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2010 - 73% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 66% of 11th graders on grade level. (83 pupils enrolled) ^[13]
• 2009 - 66%, State - 65% (50 pupils enrolled) ^[14]
• 2008 - 78%. State - 65% (71 pupils enrolled) ^[15]
• 2007 - 73%, State - 65% (71 pupils enrolled)^[16]

11th Grade Math

• 2010 - 71% on grade level. State - 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[17]
• 2009 - 70%, State - 56%
• 2008 - 67%, State - 56% ^[18]
• 2007 - 64%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science

• 2010 - 41% on grade level. State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2009 - 32%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 50%, State - 39%

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 28% of Old Forge 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.^[19] 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.^[20] 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.

Graduation Requirements

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]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 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]

Dual enrollment

Old Forge School District offers a dual enrollment program. Dual Enrollment is a state education program which allows high school students to attend Pennsylvania colleges and universities while remaining enrolled at their high school. The program is open to juniors and seniors. The credits they earn count towards high school gradation and earn college credits. Colleges offer the credits at a deeply discounted rate. Students have full access to their high school's extracurricular programs and participate in the high school's graduation event. Using Pennsylvania's PATRAC system, students identify PA colleges and universities that have agreed to accept these credits.^[23]

Old Forge School District received a state grant of $7,979 to assist students with the cost of books, tuition and fees.^[24]

Junior High School

8th Grade Reading 2010 - 86% on grade level. State - 81% (68 pupils enrolled) [25] 2009 - 86%, State - 80% (69 pupils enrolled) 2008 - 90%, State - 78% (83 pupils enrolled) 2007 - 83%, State - 75% (93 pupils enrolled)[26]

8th Grade Math 2010 - 71% on grade level. State - 75% 2009 - 77%, State - 71% 2008 - 85%, State - 70% [27] 2007 - 80%, State - 67%

8th Grade Science

• 2010 - 42% on grade level. State - 57%.
• 2009 - 52%, State - 54% ^[28]
• 2008 - 68%, State - 52% ^[29]

7th Grade Reading 2010 - 76% on grade level. State - 73% (54 pupils enrolled) 2009 - 67%, State - 71% (69 pupils enrolled) 2008 - 73%, State - 70% (65 pupils enrolled) 2007 - 83%, State - 66% (76 pupils enrolled)

7th Grade Math 2010 - 75% on grade level. State - 77% 2009 - 64%, State - 75% 2008 - 81%, State - 72% 2007 - 82%, State - 67%

Old Forge Elementary School

In 2010, the school's attendance rate 95%.^[30]

6th Grade Reading 2010 - 70% on grade level. State - 68% (63 pupils enrolled) 2009 - 69%, State - 67% (55 pupils enrolled) 2008 - 77%, State - 67% (70 pupils enrolled) 2007 - 67%, State - 63% (62 pupils enrolled)

6th Grade Math 2010 - 78% on grade level. State - 78% 2009 - 85%, State - 75.9% 2008 - 78%, State - 72% 2007 - 74%, State - 69%

5th Grade Reading 2010 - 53% on grade level. State - 64% (65 pupils enrolled) 2009 - 60%, State - 64% (65 pupils enrolled) 2008 - 50%, State - 62% (52 pupils enrolled) 2007 - 65%, State - 60% (63 pupils enrolled)

5th Grade Math 2010 - 64% on grade level. State - 74% 2009 - 72%, State - 73% 2008 - 69%, State - 73% 2007 - 71%, State - 71%

4th Grade Reading 2010 - 67%, State - 72% (83 pupils enrolled) 2009 - 75%, State - 72% (68 pupils enrolled) 2008 - 69%, State - 70% (58 pupils enrolled) 2007 - 70%, State - 70% (51 pupils enrolled)

4th Grade Math 2010 - 80%, State - 84% 2009 - 78%, State - 82% 2008 - 81%, State - 80% 2007 - 71%, State - 78%

4th Grade Science

• 2010 - 85% on grade level. State - 81%
• 2009 - 94%, State - 83%^[31]
• 2008 - 82%, State - 81%

3rd Grade Reading 2010 - 65%, State - 75% (56 pupils enrolled) 2009 - 79%, State - 77% (83 pupils enrolled) 2008 - 82%, State - 70% (63 pupils enrolled) 2007 - 75%, State - 72% (63 pupils enrolled)

3rd Grade Math 2010 - 77%, State - 84% 2009 - 85%, State - 81% 2008 - 92%, State - 80% 2007 - 70%, State - 78%

Special Education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 175 pupils or 19.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.^[32]

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.^[33]

Old Forge School District received a $481,237 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[34]

Gifted Education

The District Administration reported that 16 or 1.76% of its students were gifted in 2009.^[35] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.^[36] Through the strategic planning process, the Superintendent must ensure that Old Forge School District provides a continuum of program and service options to meet the needs of all mentally gifted students for enrichment, acceleration, or both.^[37]

Bullying

The Old Forge School District administration reported there was 1 incident of bullying in the district in 2009.^[38][39] The Old Forge School district has its policy regarding bullying posted online. [1] The district permits students to report bullying anonymously via an online form.^[40]

Wellness policy

Old Forge School Board established a district wellness policy in January 2006 - Policy 246.^[41] 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.^[42] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for its approval.^[43] This includes classroom party guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.^[44]

Budget

In 2009, the district reports employing over 60 teachers with a starting salary of $41,290 for 185 days worked with 182 pupils days.^[45] Teachers are paid at an hourly rate for work that is required after regular school hours. An extra stipend is paid to department head teachers. The work day is 7 hours and 5 minutes. Additionally, Old Forge School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, fully paid prescription plan, dental insurance, vision insurance, professional development reimbursement, a 2 week unpaid marriage leave per year, 2 paid personal days, and 10 sick days, life insurance and other benefits. The president of teachers' union can take 5 days with pay to conduct union business. The teachers receive a free pass, with a guest pass, for all home school events. The 2006-2010 teacher union contract also contains an annual pay increase of 3.5 percent. Teachers are paid for unused sick days upon resigning.^[46] 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.^[47]

In 2009, the average teacher salary in the district, was $53,337 while the maximum salary is $93,600.^[48]

The district's average teacher salary, in 2007 was $45,053, when the district employed 57 teachers. In Pennsylvania, the average teacher salary for Pennsylvania's 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977 in 2008.^[49] 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 United States for average teacher compensation.^[50][51]

The district has been plagued by teacher strikes. there were four strikes regarding the 2006-2010 contract. Teachers have set another strike notice for March 2011.^[52][53] Under Act 1 of 2006, the school board can no longer obtain an exemption to raise property taxes due to health insurance costs.^[54]

Old Forge School District administration costs per pupil in 2008 was $819.76 per pupil. The district was ranked 171st out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administration spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[55]

In 2008, Old Forge School District administration reported spending $13,141 per pupil. This spending ranked 166th in the commonwealth.^[56]

Reserves

In 2009, the district reported a $858,668.00 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.^[57]

In October 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board. ^[58]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. 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.^[59]

State basic education funding

n 2011-12, the district will receive $2,841,396 in state Basic Education Funding. ^{[60] [61]} Additionally, the district will receive $58,086 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.^[62] Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011.

In 2010, the district reported that 321 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For 2010-11 the Old Forge School District received a 2.00% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $3,113,535 payment.^[63] Dunmore School District received 11.88% increase which was the highest increase in BEF in Lackawanna 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.^[64]

In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 7.43% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $3,062,485. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $2,841,395.72. 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.^[65] Scranton School District received the highest increase in Lackawanna County a 9.46% increase, 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.^[66]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 284 district students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.^[67]

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 Old Forge School District applied for and received $157,661 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full day kindergarten.^[68][69]

Education Assistance Grant

The state's EAP 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 Old Forge School District received $44,924.^[70]

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. Old Forge School District did not seek funding from the program. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.^[71]

Federal Stimulus Grant

The district received an extra $670,745 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.^[72] The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years. Old Forge used the money to renovate a room, to buy equipment and to pay for an instructional aide.^[73]

Race to the Top grant

School district officials did not apply to participate in 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. ^[74] Several Lackawanna County school districts applied for funding. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.^[75] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. ^[76] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. ^[77]

Common Cents state initiative

The Old Forge School Board did 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.^[78] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The school board set property tax rates in 2011-2012 at 109.3275 mills.^[79] 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.^[80]

• 2010-11 - 107.50 mills. ^[81]
• 2009-10 - 107.5000 mills.^[82]
• 2008-09 - 107.4900 mills.^[83]
• 2007-08 - 104.5000 mills^[84]

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.^[85]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Old Forge School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.^[86]

• 2006-07 - 4.9%, Base 3.9%
• 2007-08 - 4.2%, Base 3.4%
• 2008-09 - 5.6%, Base 4.4%
• 2009-10 - 5.0%, Base 4.1%
• 2010-11 - 3.6%, Base 2.9%
• 2011-12 - 1.7%, Base 1.4%

For the 2011-12 school year, the Old Forge School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the Old Forge School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. ^[87]

According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction. ^[88]

The Old Forge School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2010-11.^[89] 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.^[90]

Property tax relief

In 2011, property tax relief for 2,368 approved residents of Old Forge School District was set at $95.^[91] The highest tax relief in Lackawanna County was given to Scranton School District at $321.

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Old Forge School District was $101 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,244 property owners applied for the tax relief.^[92] 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.^[93] Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $631 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.^[94] This was the fifth year they were 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.^[95]

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%).^[96]

Enrollment

Old Forge School District is experiencing low enrollment in K-12. The Pennsylvania Department of Education projects the district's enrollment will be just 1001 pupils by 2018.^[97] Shifting population trends across the U.S. and Pennsylvania are affecting school enrollment.^[98] 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).^[99]

A study conducted by Standard and Poors in 2007 (at the request of the PA General Assembly) examined whether the consolidation of small school district's administrations would yield savings. It found that where the resulting district had 3000 pupils or less substantial savings were achievable.^[100] Superintendents 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.^[101] 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.^[102]

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.^[103]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies. 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.^[104]

Sports

Main article: Old Forge Blue Devils

Old Forge is a member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), District 2, Class A.

References

1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Enrollment and Projections by LEA 2009
2. ^ American fact Finder, US Census Bureau, 2009
3. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment and projections 2011
4. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 11, 2011). "Statewide Honor Roll Ranking 2011". http://www2.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/events/pennsylvania_schools/statewiderank.html. 
5. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (May 6, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Ranking 2010". http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/feature/schools/statewide_rankings.html. 
6. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (May 23, 2007). "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County,". http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/05/21/daily24.html. 
7. ^ "2009 PSSA RESULTS Old Forge School District,". The Morning Call. http://projects.mcall.com/PSSA-results/district/119356603/OLD%20FORGE%20SD/. Retrieved February 2011. 
8. ^ The Institute, "Lackawanna and Luzerne Indicators Report" May 2009
9. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented". http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_department_of_education/7237/info/757639. 
10. ^ "Old Forge School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 data table". http://paayp.emetric.net/District/DataTable/c35/119356603. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
11. ^ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "Lackawana County Graduation Rates 2008". http://thetimes-tribune.com/data-center/grading-our-schools/2008-graduation-rates-1.85916?appSession=991199429753633#axzz1CqEf2ZfQ. 
12. ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. "High School Graduation rate 2007". http://www.scribd.com/doc/23571629/PA-High-School-Graduation-Info-by-School-District-2007. Retrieved February 19, 2011. 
13. ^ "2010 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442. 
14. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 14, 2010). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442. 
15. ^ "The 2008 PSSA Mathematics and Reading School Level Proficiency Results (by Grade and School Total)". August 2008. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2007-2008_pssa_and_ayp_results/507514. 
16. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "PSSA Math and Reading results by School and Grade 2007". http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442/2006-2007_pssa_and_ayp_results/507511. 
17. ^ "Pennsylvania Department of Education". February 2011. http://paayp.emetric.net/Content/reportcards/RC10D119356603.PDF. 
18. ^ "Math PSSA Scores by District 2007-08 Old Forge School District Results". The Times-Tribune. June 25, 2009. http://thetimes-tribune.com/data-center/grading-our-schools#axzz1DRIEWs4N. 
19. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report". http://www.scribd.com/doc/23970364/Pennsylvania-College-Remediation-Report. 
20. ^ National Center for Education Statistics
21. ^ "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements". http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.24.html. 
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