Shaler Area School District

Shaler Area School District
To provide a dynamic learning environment to the communities of Etna, Millvale, Reserve and Shaler.
Location
1800 Mount Royal Blvd Glenshaw, PA 15116-2117 (North of Pittsburgh) Allegheny County, Pennsylvania United States
District information
Type	Public
Grades	K-12
Superintendent	Mr. Alex Dibucci
Asst. Superintendent(s)	Dr. Bryan O'Black
Budget	$72,260,754 (2013–14) $70,992,139 (2012–13)[1] $69 million (2011–12) $71,380,445 (2010–11)[2] $61,0860,000 (2009–10)[3] $59,313,000 (2008–09) $57,788,000 (2007–08) $55,438,000 (2006–07)
Students and staff
Students	5,467 pupils in 2005–06 4,970 pupils in 2009–10 4,654 pupils 2012-13[4]
Staff	261.5 non teaching staff
Student-teacher ratio	12.92 to 1
District mascot	Titan
Colors	Navy Blue, White and Red
Other information
Per pupil spending	$12,993 (2008) $14,190.71 (2010)
Website	www.sasd.k12.pa.us

Shaler Area School District is a large, suburban public school district located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Shaler Area School District encompasses approximately 14 square miles (36 km²), including: Shaler Township, Etna Borough, Millvale Borough, and Reserve Township. According to 2000 federal census data, it served a resident population of 41,565. By 2010, the district's population declined to 39,293 people.^[5] In 2009, Shaler Area School District residents’ per capita income was $21,333, while the median family income was $52,135.^[6] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501^[7] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.^[8] By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.^[9]

Shaler Area School District is experiencing a steady decline in enrollment. Per District officials, there were: 5,467 pupils in 2005-06, 5,367 pupils in 2006-07. For 2007-08, Shaler Area School District provided basic educational services to 5,078 pupils. In 2010, enrollment had again declined to 4970 students.^[10] In 2012-13, the enrollment in the District was 4,654 pupils an over 800 students less than in 2005-06.

According to District officials, in school year 2005-06, Shaler Area School District employed: 428 teachers, 136 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 31 administrators. Shaler Area School District received more than $17.1 million in state funding in school year 2005-06. In 2008, Shaler Area District reported employing 429 teachers, 158 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 29 administrators. Shaler Area School District received more than $19.5 million in state funding for the school year 2007-08.^[11] In 2011, Shaler Area School District employed 387.5 teachers and another 261.5 staff members including 29 administrators.^[12]

Superintendent, Administrators & Principals

The current superintendent of Shaler Area School District is Mr. Sean Aiken. The Central Administration Cabinet members include: Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Bryan O'Black, Director of Curriculum and Technology Dr. Bryan O'Black and Director of Business Affairs Ms. Sherri L. Ludwig. The High School's Principal is Dr. Timothy Royall, and the Assistant Principals are Ms. Heather Berney, Mr. Thomas Misko, and Mrs. JoAnne Townsend. The Middle School Principal is Mr. Martin Martynuska and the Assistant Principal is Mrs. Shannon Howard. The Shaler Area Elementary School's Principal is Mr. Ian Miller and the Assistant Principals are Ms. Lori Mish and Ms. Venice Piveronas. Burchfield Primary School's Principal is Mr. Jeffrey Rojik. Jeffery Primary School's Principal is Mrs. Kristy Batis. Marzolf Primary School's Principal is Mr. Rick Pelkofer. Reserve Primary School's Principal is Mrs. Eloise Groegler. Rogers Primary School's Principal is Ms. Cynthia Foht.

Schools

There are eight schools in the Shaler Area School District. The schools in order from lowest grade levels to highest are:

• Burchfield Primary (K - 3rd Grade)
• Jefferey Primary (K - 3rd Grade)
• Marzolf Primary (K - 3rd Grade)
• Reserve Primary (K - 3rd Grade)
• Rogers Primary (K - 3rd Grade)
• Shaler Area Upper Elementary (4th - 6th Grade)
• Shaler Area Middle School (7th and 8th Grade)
• Shaler Area High School (9th - 12th Grade)

Academic achievement

Shaler Area School District was ranked 265th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2013, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the reading, writing, math and science PSSAs.^[13] The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

• 2012 - 251st
• 2011 - 226th^[14]
• 2010 - 217th^[15]
• 2009 - 194th^[16]
• 2008 - 195th
• 2007 - 200th out of 501 school districts.^[17]

Overachievers Ranking

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Shaler Area School District ranked 463rd. The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."^[18]

• 2012 - 441st
• 2011 - 407th
• 2010 - 407th

Western Pennsylvania local ranking Shaler Area School District was ranked 59th out of 104 western Pennsylvania school districts, in 2013, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs on: math, reading, writing and science.^[19] (includes 105 districts in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County and Westmoreland County excludes Duquesne City School District & Midland Borough School District due to no high schools) In 2012 - 60th.

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of Shaler Area School District was in the 44th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)^[20]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Shaler Area School District declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to a sharp decline in its graduation rate.^[21] In 2011, Shaler Area School District achieved AYP status. In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.^[22] Shaler Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2006 to 2010, while in 2003 and 2005 the District was in Warning status due to lagging student academic achievement.^[23]

Graduation rate

In 2012, the Shaler Area School District graduation rate declined sharply to 88%. In 2011, the graduation rate was 93%.^[24] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. High School's rate was 92% for 2010.^[25]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 96%^[26]
• 2009 - 95%^[27]
• 2008 - 97%^[28]
• 2007 - 97%^[29]

High school

Shaler Area High School is located at 381 Wible Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 1,810 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 359 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school is not a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 124 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.^[30]

In 2012, Shaler Area High School declined further to Corrective Action II 5th Year due to low student achievement and a low graduation rate.^[31] In 2011, Shaler Area High School declined to Corrective Action II 4th Year AYP status due to chronic low student reading and mathematics achievement. In 2010, the school was in Corrective Action II 3rd Year AYP status.^[32] Under the federal No Child Left Behind Law, the school administration was required to notify parents of the poor achievement. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Education required the administration to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the chronic low student achievement. In 2011, the school reported that 14 core courses were taught by teachers who were designated "Non‐Highly Qualified Teachers" under NCLB. Sixteen teachers had emergency certification.^[33]

In 2012, Shaler Area High School was ranked 63rd out of 123 high schools in the region.^[34] In 2011, the 11th grade was ranked 50th out of 122 western Pennsylvania high schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and science.^[35] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County. In 2010, Shaler Area School District ranked 53rd out of 122 high schools in western Pennsylvania.

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 71% on grade level, (10% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[36]
• 2011 - 71% (13% below basic). State - 69.1%^[37]
• 2010 - 75%, (12% below basic). State - 66%^[38]
• 2009 - 75% (17% below basic). State - 65%^[39]
• 2008 - 73% (9% below basic). State - 65%^[40]
• 2007 - 71% (12% below basic). State - 65%^[41]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 59% on grade level (23% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[42]
• 2011 - 59% (23% below basic). State - 60.3%^[43]
• 2010 - 62% (21% below basic). State - 59%^[44]
• 2009 - 59% (22% below basic). State - 56%^[45]
• 2008 - 64% (16% below basic). State - 56%^[46]
• 2007 - 59% (17% below basic). State - 53%^[47]

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 44% on grade level (8% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.^[48]
• 2011 - 48% (10% below basic). State - 40%^[49]
• 2010 - 50% (12% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 46% (12% below basic). State - 40%^[50]
• 2008 - 45% (11% below basic). State - 39%

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 37% of the Shaler Area 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.^[51] 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.^[52] 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.

SAT scores

In 2012, 321 Shaler Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 499. The Math average score was 515. The Writing average score was 497. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.

In 2011, 296 students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 504. The Math average score was 514. The Writing average score was 498.^[53] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.^[54] In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.^[55]

Dual enrollment

The Shaler Area High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books^[56] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.^[57] For the 2009-10 funding year, the Shaler Area School District received a state grant of $3,041 for the program.^[58] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.

Graduation requirements

The Shaler Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 24 credits to graduate, including: math 3 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 3 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, health 1 credit and electives 8 credits. The Shaler Area School District Board of Education amended high school graduation requirements to include a PSSA score in the Advanced or Proficient category on both Reading and Math PSSA tests in the 8th and 11th grades.^[59]

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.^[60] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.^[61]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2017, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature by passing the state's Keystone Exams on each subject.^[62] The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade. Students have several opportunities to pass the exam, with those who do not able to perform a project in order to graduate.^[63][64][65] For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements.^[66] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra I - 38% on grade level, Biology - 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.^[67] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Advanced Placement

The school offers the following Advanced Placement Courses:

Middle school

Shaler Area Middle School is located at 1810 Mount Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 747 pupils in grades 7th and 8th, with 185 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. Shaler Area Middle School employed 72 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1.^[68] In 2012 and 2011, all the teachers were reported as highly qualified under No Child Left Behind Act.^[69]

In 2010 through 2012, Shaler Area Middle School achieved AYP status each year.^[70]

Eighth Grade

In 2013, Shaler Area Middle School eighth grade ranked 73rd out of 105 eighth grades in western Pennsylvania based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and science.^[71] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County and Washington County.)

• 2012 - 68th^[72]
• 2011 - 64th
• 2010 - 60th among 155 local eighth grades.^[73]
• 2009 - 57th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools.^[74]

PSSA Results

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 65% (13% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 62% (19% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 66% (19% below basic). State – 57%^[80]
• 2009 - 61% (16% below basic). State - 55%^[81]
• 2008 - 56% (16% below basic), State - 52% (SAIS)^[82]

Seventh Grade

In 2013, Shaler Area Middle School's seventh grade ranked 83rd out of 105 seventh grades in western Pennsylvania based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and science.^[83] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County and Washington County.)

• 2012 - 85th
• 2011 - 68th^[84]
• 2010 - 49th among 155 local seventh grades.^[85]
• 2009 - 48th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools.^[86]

PSSA Results

Shaler Area Upper Elementary

Shaler Area Upper Elementary School is located at 705 Scott Avenue, Glenshaw, Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 1,082 pupils in grades 4th through 6th, with 334 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 79 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.^[87] In 2011, all the teachers, at Shaler Area Upper Elementary School, were reported as highly qualified.

In 2012, Shaler Area Upper Elementary School achieved AYP status even though it missed all reading metrics and most mathematic metrics. In 2011 and 2010, Shaler Area Upper Elementary School achieved AYP status.^[88]

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 88% (2% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 85% (6% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 89%, (3% below basic), State - 81%
• 2009 - 90%, (2% below basic), State - 83%

Burchfield Primary School

Burchfield Primary School is located at 1500 Burchfield Road, Allison Park. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 344 pupils in grades kindergarten through 3rd, with 86 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 27.5 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.^[93] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.^[94] Burchfield Primary School has provided universal all-day kindergarten since the 2008-09 school year.

In 2011 and 2012, Burchfield Primary School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).^[95] Burchfield Primary School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress each school year since 2004. Only the third grade is tested towards AYP.

PSSA Results

Jeffery Primary School

Jeffery Primary School is located at 201 Wetzel Road, Glenshaw. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the School reported an enrollment of 234 pupils in grades kindergarten through 3rd, with 71 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 19 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.^[98] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[99]

In both 2011 and 2012, Jeffery Primary School achieved AYP status.^[100] In 2012, Jeffery Primary third graders missed all reading target metrics measured on the PSSAs. only 68% of third grade boys were reading on grade level. Jeffery Primary School achieved AYP status each year since 2004. Only the third grade is tested towards AYP. In 2012, the attendance rate was 95.64%.

PSSA Results

Marzolf Primary School

Marzolf Primary School is located at 101 Marzolf Rd Ext, Pittsburgh. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the School reported an enrollment of 351 pupils in grades kindergarten through 3rd, with 142 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 27 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.^[104] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.^[105] Only the third grade is tested towards AYP. In 2012, the attendance rate was 94.7%.

In 2009 through 2012, Marzolf Primary School achieved AYP status. In 2008, Marzolf Primary School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging students achievement.^[106]

PSSA Results

Special education

In December 2011, Shaler Area School District administration reported that 761 pupils or 15.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. Forty one percent of the special education students were identified as having a specific learning disability. In December 2010, the district administration reported that 937 pupils or 18.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. Forty three percent of the special education students were identified as having a specific learning disability. In 2009 the district reported that 964 pupils or 19% of its students were identified as needing special education services.^[110][111]

In order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, the school 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 .^[112] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, 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 Special Education administration. 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 district's Special Education Department.^[113][114] The IDEA 2004 requires each school entity to publish a notice to parents, in newspapers or other media, including the student handbook and website regarding the availability of screening and intervention services and how to access them.

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for 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.^[115] The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district’s students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student’s needs accrue the same level of costs.^[116] The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.^[117] Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.^[118] The state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.^[119] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.^[120]

Shaler Area School District received a $3,163,866 supplement for special education services in 2010.^[121] For the 2011-12, 2012–13 and 2013-14 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.^[122][123] Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 338 or 6.26% of its students were gifted in 2009.^[124] The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted. 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. The timetable for testing does not begin until the signed consent form is received by the school. 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.^[125][126]

Wellness policy

Shaler Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006.^[127] 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." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.^[128]

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.^[129] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Shaler Area School District offers a free school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.^[130] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.^[131]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.^[132] In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of the lunch.^[133]

Shaler Area School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health’s extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.^[134] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, the Shaler Area School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Shaler Area Middle School received $9,900 which was used to purchase treadmills to support fitness initiative.^[135] Additionally, Shaler Area Elementary School received $8,925 for 2 treadmills, 2 indoor cycling bikes, two power steppers and heart rate monitors. In 2011, Shaler Area MIddle School received $7,757.00 for its SAMS Program (Action-Based Students) & B.A.S.I.C. Training Room. Rogers School received $8,065 for its Health and Physical Education program. Shaler Area High School received $7,877 for its Shaler Area Mountain Bike Adventure. Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.

The District participated in Highmark Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.^[136]

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). An annual operating budget is prepared by school district administrative officials. A uniform form is furnished by the PDE and submitted to the board of school directors for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year on July 1.

Under Pennsylvania’s Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.^[137]

In September 2012, the Shaler Area Teachers Union declared a strike, shuttering the schools district wide.^[138] In 1997, the Shaler Area Teachers union also declared a strike against the District. Of nearly 140 teacher strikes that occurred nationally between 2000 and 2007, 60 percent took place in Pennsylvania, according to a report released in August by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.^[139] Pennsylvania is one of 13 states in which teacher strikes are legal. Pennsylvania has the highest rate of teacher strikes in the United States. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there were three teacher union strikes in 2010; one teacher union strike in 2011, one teacher union strike in 2012 and three teacher union strikes in 2013.^[140] State law gives the Pennsylvania Department of Education the power to order the teachers to return so that students will complete 180 days of school by June 15.

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Shaler Area School District was $56,690 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $22,985 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $79,675.99.^[141] The District employed 420 teachers with an average salary of $59,273 and a top salary of $119,539, in 2012.^[142]

According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.^[143]

In 2009, the Shaler Area School District reported employing 537 teachers and administrators with a salary range of $40,000 to $148,231.^[144] Additionally, the teachers received: a defined benefit pension, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.^[145]

In 2007, Shaler Area School District employed 376 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $53,071 for 180 days worked.^[146] 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.^[147]

Shaler Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $644.75 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[148] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association's report, the average salary for a superintendent, for the 2007-08 school year, was $122,165. Shaler Area SD's Superintendent was paid $148,231. Superintendents and administrators receive an extensive benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.^[149]

Per pupil spending In 2008, the Shaler Area School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,993 which ranked 176th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $13,787.33^[150] In 2012, the District's per pupil spending roe to $14,190.71. Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.^[151] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.^[152]

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.^[153] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.^[154] Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.^[155] Pennsylvania’s total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.^[156]

Reserves In 2008, Shaler Area School District reported a balance of $$3,843,438 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $3,368,367.^[157] In 2010, Shaler Area School District Administration reported a decrease to $3,775,000 in the unreserved-designated fund balance. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $3,479,203. By 2013, the Districts reserves were $7,760,746. Pennsylvania school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.^[158] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.^[159]

Audit In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.^[160]

Tuition Students who live in the Shaler Area School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Shaler Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the Shaler Area School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $9,818.52, High School - $10,002.^[161]

Shaler Area School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 0.5%, 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. Interest earnings on accounts also provide nontax income to the District. 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 level of the individual’s personal wealth.^[162] The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both are free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.^[163]

State basic education funding

For the 2013-14 school year, the Shaler Area School District will receive a 2.9% increase or $10,749,132 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $307,957 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Shaler Area School District will receive $263,166 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Allegheny County, South Fayette Township School District received the highest percentage increase at 5.5%. The District has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth’s budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding.^[164] The state funded the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.^[165]

For the 2012-13 school year, the Shaler Area School District received $10,441,175.^[166] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program. Shaler Area School District received $263,166 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.^[167] This amount was a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett’s first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In 2011-12, Shaler Area School District received a $10,441,175, allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.^[168][169] Additionally, Shaler Area School District received $263,166 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.^[170] 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.^[171] In 2010, Shaler Are School District reported that 1,320 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.^[172]

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.99% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $10,649,998. Among the districts in Allegheny County, the highest increase went to South Fayette Township School District which got an 11.32% increase. Fifteen (15) Pennsylvania public school districts received a BEF increase of greater than 10%. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.^[173] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where a public school district received at least the same amount as the year before, even where enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of the Governor’s policy to fund some districts at a much greater rate than others.

In the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding, to Shaler Area School District, for a total of $10,649,999. Among the public school districts in Allegheny County, the highest increase went to Chartiers Valley School District which received an 8.14% increase in BEF. Ninety school districts received a 2% increase in 2010. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.^[174] The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.^[175]

The state Basic Education Funding to Shaler Area School District, in 2008-09, was $10,441,175.10. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1,064 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.^[176] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.^[177][178]

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 $714,299 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The District used the funding to provide extended instruction to students, to pay teacher coaches who instruct teachers on various techniques, to provide extensive training to teachers to improve their instruction and reduced class size K-3rd grade.^[179][180]

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. Shaler Area School District received $223,133 in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the District received another $300,000. The District received $75,909 in 2008-09 for a total funding of $599,042.^[181] In Allegheny County, the highest award was given to Highlands School District which received $835,286. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state financial crisis.

Other grants

Shaler Area School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell), Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

Shaler Area School District received an extra $3,618,821 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.^[182] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.^[183] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top grant

Shaler Area School District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided over one million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.^[184] 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.^[185] 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.^{[186][187][188]}

Common Cents state initiative

The School Board elected 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.^[189] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes. The review found over one half million dollars in potential savings through shared services. One suggestion was to share food service director positions across several local school districts.

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2012-14 were set by the school board at 20.3700 mills.^[190] A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Allegheny County underwent a property reassessment which caused the millage to be reduced to avoid the Districts gaining a windfall. 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.^[191] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. 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, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.^[192] When a Pennsylvania public school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.^[193] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.^[194]

• 2012-13 - 25.6300 mills
• 2011-12 - 25.6300 mills
• 2010-11 - 25.6300 mills^[195]
• 2009-10 - 24.7000 mills.^[196]
• 2008-09 - 24.7000 mills.^[197]
• 2007-08 - 24.7000 mills.^[198]
• 2006-07 - 24.2500 mills.^[199]
• 2005-06 - 23.5000 mills.^[200]

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.^[201] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.^[202] The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school’s share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.^[203][204] The legislature also froze the payroll amount public school districts use to calculate the pension-plan exception at the 2012 payroll levels. Further increases in payroll cannot be used to raise the district’s exception for pension payments.

A specific timeline for Act I Index decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.^[205]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Shaler Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.^[206]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Shaler Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.^[209]

For the 2011-12 and the 2012-13 school years, the Shaler Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Shaler Area 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 published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.^[210]

According to a state report, for the 2012-2013 school year budgets, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the districts who sought exceptions: 194 used the pension costs exemption and 129 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Twenty four school districts sought an exemption for grandfathered School Construction Project.^[211]

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.^[212]

The Shaler Area School Board did not use any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in the 2010-11 school year.^[213] For 2009-10 school budget, the board did not exceed its Act 1 Index.^[214] 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.^[215]

Extracurriculars

The Shaler Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy. The District has both a marching band and an orchestra.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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.^[216]

Sports

The District funds:

According to PIAA directory July 2013.^[217]

Shaler's teams are all nicknamed "The Titans." Shaler athletics compete in the WPIAL/PIAA AAAA/AAA divisions depending on sport.

Shaler's biggest rival is the neighboring North Allegheny Tigers and North Hills Indians, who also compete in the same section.

Shaler's softball team took home numerous PIAA and WPIAL titles from 2000-2009.

Neighboring Districts

Shaler Area School District neighbors are: North Hills S.D. to the west, Hampton Township S.D. to the north, Fox Chapel Area S.D. to the east, and the Pittsburgh S.D. to the south.

Transportation

First Student is Shaler's contractor.

References

External links

• Shaler Area School District website