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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/35742869/Governor-Rendell-Says-Home-Schooled-Children-Can-Participate-in-School-District-Extracurricular-Activities |title=Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, |author=Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, |date=November 10, 2005}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/35742869/Governor-Rendell-Says-Home-Schooled-Children-Can-Participate-in-School-District-Extracurricular-Activities |title=Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, |author=Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, |date=November 10, 2005}}</ref>

===Sports===
The District funds:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
;Boys:
*[[Baseball]] - AAA
*[[Basketball]]- AAA
*[[Cross country running|Cross Country]] - AA
*[[American Football|Football]] - AAA
*[[Golf]] - AAA
*[[Soccer]] - AA
*[[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] and [[Diving]] - AA
*[[Tennis]] - AA
*[[Track and Field]] - AAA
*[[Wrestling]] - AAA
{{col-2-of-2}}
;Girls:
*Basketball - AAA
*Cheer - AAAA
*Cross Country - AA
*Soccer (Fall) - AA
*[[Softball]] - AAA
*Swimming and Diving - AA
*Girls' Tennis - AA
*Track and Field - AAA
*[[Volleyball]] - AA
{{col-end}}

;Middle School Sports:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
;Boys:
*Basketball
*Cross Country
*Soccer
*Track and Field
*Wrestling
{{col-2-of-2}}
;Girls:
*Basketball
*Cross Country
*Softball
*Track and Field
{{col-end}}

According to PIAA directory July 2013 <ref>Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association, PIAA School Directory, 2013</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 09:22, 25 July 2013

Blue Mountain School District
Address
Map
685 Red Dale Road, P.O. Box 188

Orwigsburg
,
Schuylkill County
,
Pennsylvania Flag of Pennsylvania
17961-0188

United States United States
Information
TypePublic
School board9 elected members
SuperintendentDr. Robert Urzillo, salary $132,500 (2012)
AdministratorMrs Michelle A Diekow, Business Manager

Musitano, Frank, salary $117,300
Witmer-Belding, Gwendolyn, salary $95,962
Rossi, Kenneth, salary $87,472

Ritschel, Jeffry, salary $87,270
PrincipalKetner, James, salary $98,085
PrincipalMcgonigle, James, salary $97,469
PrincipalRenninger, Heath salary $84,240
Staff192.66 non teaching staff
Faculty204 teachers[1]
GradesK-12
Age5 years old to 21 years old for special education
Number of pupils2,877 pupils 2011, 3037 pupils (2009-10)[2]
 • Kindergarten222
 • Grade 1227
 • Grade 2220
 • Grade 3232
 • Grade 4231
 • Grade 5213
 • Grade 6239
 • Grade 7227
 • Grade 8259
 • Grade 9247
 • Grade 10257
 • Grade 11230
 • Grade 12233
Color(s)Blue and White
MascotEagles
Budget$37,534,107 (2013-14)
$36,700,193 (212-13)
Per pupil spending$10,688 (2008)
Per pupil spending$12,250.55 (2010)
Websitehttp://www.bmsd.org/

The Blue Mountain School District is a midsized, rural public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The District is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania. The District serves the Boroughs of Auburn, Cressona, Deer Lake, New Ringgold and Orwigsburg and East Brunswick Township, North Manheim Township and West Brunswick Township in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Blue Mountain School District encompasses approximately 125 square miles (320 km2). According to 2000 federal census data, it served a resident population of 19,436. By 2010, the district's population was 20,463 people.[3] In 2009, the Blue Mountain School District residents’ per capita income was $21,212, while the median family income was $36,276.[4] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,985[5] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[6]

Blue Mountain School District officials reported that, in school year 2007-08, the Blue Mountain School District provided basic educational services to 2,983 pupils. It employed: 224 teachers, 148 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 24 administrators. According to District officials, in school year 2009-10 the Blue Mountain School District provided basic educational services to 2,877 pupils. It employed: 219 teachers, 136 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 26 administrators. Blue Mountain School District received more than $12.6 million in state funding in school year 2009-10.

Blue Mountain School District operates: Blue Mountain High School, Blue Mountain Middle School, Cressona Elementary School, Blue Mountain Elementary East School and Blue Mountain Elementary West School. School colors are blue and white.

Governance

Blue Mountain School District is governed by 9 individual, locally elected, board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[7] 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.[8]

Blue Mountain School District is served by the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 which offers a variety of services, including assistance with developing K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards, shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services. Prospective school district employees can get background clearances completed at the IU.

Academic achievement

Blue Mountain School District was ranked 115th 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 achievement on the PSSA results on: reading, writing, math and science.[9] 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 - 133rd [10]
  • 2010 - 137th [11]
  • 2009 - 140th
  • 2008 - 104th
  • 2007 - 90th of 500 school districts in Pennsylvania.[12]
Overachievers Ranking

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Blue Mountain School District ranked 347th. The paper 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 lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[13]

  • 2012 - 376th
  • 2010 - 364th
  • 2009 - 369th

In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Blue Mountain School District, was in the 67th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) [14]

District AYP history

In 2011 and 2012, Blue Mountain School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[15] 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.[16]

  • 2006 to 2010 - achieved AYP status
  • 2005 - Making Progress in School Improvement 1
  • 2004 - School Improvement 1
  • 2003 - Warning status due to lagging student achievement. [17]

Graduation rate

In 2012, Blue Mountain School District’s graduation rate was 94%.[18] In 2011, the District's graduation rate was 90%. [19] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Blue Mountain High School's graduation rate was 90% for 2010.[20]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

High school

Blue Mountain High School is located at 1076 West Market Street, Schuylkill Haven. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 978 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 164 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. The school employed 70 teachers yielding a student teacher ratio of 13:1.[24] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1 teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. [25]

In 2012, Blue Mountain High School achieved AYP status. In 2011, Blue Mountain High School declined to Warning AYP status.[26]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 81% on grade level (7% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[27]
  • 2011 - 72% (15% below basic). State - 69.1% [28]
  • 2010 - 76%, State - 67%[29]
  • 2009 - 74%, State - 65%
  • 2008 - 68%, State - 65%[30]
  • 2007 - 74%, State - 65%[31]
11th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 67% on grade level (15% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
  • 2011 - 59% (24% below basic). State - 60.3% [33]
  • 2010 - 64%, State - 59%
  • 2009 - 55%, State - 56%
  • 2008 - 57%, State - 55%
  • 2007 - 61%, State - 53% [34]
11th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 64% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[35]
  • 2011 - 49% (14% below basic). State - 40% [36]
  • 2010 - 46%, State - 39%
  • 2009 - 50%, State - 40%
  • 2008 - 48%, State - 39%

Science in Motion Blue Mountain High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.[37] Wilkes University provides the experiences to schools in the region.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 22% of Blue Mountain 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.[38] 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.[39] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual enrollment

The high school offers 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, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[40] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[41]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $25,373 for the program.[42] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 22 credits for the Class of 2015 (and beyond) to graduate including: math 3 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Arts and Humanities 1.5 credits and electives 3.5 credits. [43]

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.[44] At Blue Mountain High School, the project requires a typed research paper that crosses at least three different standards areas, and be a minimum of ten pages.[45] 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.[46]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[47] 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.[48][49] 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. [50] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.[51] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

SAT Scores

In 2012, 156 Blue Mountain School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 507. The Math average score was 516. 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, 165 Blue Mountain School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 500. The Math average score was 506. The Writing average score was 474.[52] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. [53] 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.[54]

Middle school

Blue Mountain Middle School is located at 685 Red Dale Road, Orwigsburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 630 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 123 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is not a federally designated Title I school. Blue Mountain Middle School employed 45 teachers yielding a student teacher ratio of 13:1.[55] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1 teacher was rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. [56] In 2010, the attendance rate at the school was 95%. In 2011 and 2012, the attendance rate was 94%.

In 2011 and 2012, Blue Mountain Middle School achieved AYP status. [57]

PSSA results
8th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 87% on grade level 64% advanced (3% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level. [58]
  • 2011 - 95%, 69% advanced. State - 81.8%
  • 2010 - 88%, State - 81%
  • 2009 - 85%, State - 80.9% [59]
  • 2008 - 86%, State - 78%[60]
  • 2007 - 78%, State - 75%[61]
8th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 79% on grade level (6% below basic). State - 76% [62]
  • 2011 - 84% (4% below basic). State - 76.9% [63]
  • 2010 - 73%, State - 75%
  • 2009 - 73%, State - 71% [64]
  • 2008 - 69%, State - 70%
  • 2007 - 80%, State - 67%
8th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 79% on grade level (8% below basic). State - 59%
  • 2011 - 85% (3% below basic). State – 58.3%
  • 2010 - 69% on grade level. State - 57%
  • 2009 - 73%, State - 55%
  • 2008 - 70%, State - 52% [65]

Cressona Elementary School

Cressona Elementary School is located at 45 Wilder Street, Cressona. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, the school reported an enrollment of 170 pupils in 4th grade and 5th grade. [66] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. [67] IN 2011-12, the school was reorganized from Kindergarten to 5th grade to just 4th an d5th grades.

In 2011 and 2012, Cressona Elementary School achieved AYP status. [68] In 2012, only 80% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 4th and 5th. In math, 94% of the students in 4th and 5th grades were on grade level and 58% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 99% of the pupils were on grade level, with 60% achieving advanced understanding. [69]

Blue Mountain Elementary East School

Blue Mountain Elementary East School is located at 675 Red Dale Road, Orwigsburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 720 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 145 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 49 teachers yielding a student teacher ratio of 14:1.[70] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. [71]

In 2012, Blue Mountain Elementary East School declined to Warning AYP status, due to lagging reading achievement. In 2011, Blue Mountain Elementary East School achieved AYP status.[72] In 2012, only 74% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th, with 13% below basic. In math, 83% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 47% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 96% of the pupils were on grade level, with 63% achieving advanced. [73]

Blue Mountain Elementary West School

Blue Mountain Elementary West School is located at 1383 Long Run Road, Friedensburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, the school reported an enrollment of 362 pupils in grades kindergarten through 3rd, with 70 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty.[74] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. [75] Principal - Heath W. Renninger, Assistant Principal - Andrea J. Renninger. The school was reorgainzed in 2011-12 from k-5 to providing Kindergarten to 3rd grades.

In 2012, Blue Mountain Elementary West School achieved AYP status. [76] In 2012, 89% of the students were reading on grade level in 3rd grade. In math, 100% of the students in 3rd grade were on grade level and 72% scored advanced.[77]

Wellness policy

Blue Mountain School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.[78] 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. According to the policy, the Superintendent shall annually report to the Board on the district’s compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. 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.[79] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Blue Mountain School District offers both 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. [80] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[81]

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. [82]

Special education

In December 2012, Blue Mountain School District administration reported that 528 pupils or 18.2% of the District's pupils received Special Education services, with 56% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the district administration reported that 484 pupils or 16.1% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[83]

The District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education.[84]

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.[85] Over identification 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. [86] 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.[87] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities including sports.[88]

Blue Mountain School District received a $1,460,241 supplement for special education services in 2010.[89] 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.[90] [91] 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 127 or 4.33% of its students were gifted in 2009.[92] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[93]

Bullying policy

The Blue Mountain School District administration reported there were no incidents of bullying in the district in 2012. There were 2 cases of sexual harassment. [94] The District administration reported there were 2 incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.[95][96] The credibility of these reports is unfortunately less than plausible, with most students witnessing this many incidents daily.

The Blue Mountain School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[97] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[98] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.[99]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[100]

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.[101]

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Blue Mountain School District was $52,475 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $18,923 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $71,398.[102] The District employed 241 teachers and administrators with a top salary of $132,500.

In 2009, Blue Mountain School District employed 250 teachers and administrators with an average teacher salary of $55,759. The top salary was $143,065. The contract has a 188 day year with 180 student days. Teachers work 7.5 hours a day, with a duty free lunch and daily preparation period. Additionally, the District's teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid emergency leave days, 3 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, 5 paid bereavement days, and many other benefits. Teachers receive additional payment for work beyond the classroom and the regular work day.[103] According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[104] Lead teachers receive additional cash compensation each year.

In 2007, Blue Mountain School District employed 200 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,799 for 180 days worked.[105] 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.[106]

Blue Mountain School District administrative costs was $690.85 per pupil in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[107] In August 2010, the school board awarded a 5 year contract to Robert Urzillo with an initial salary of $132,500 a year plus an extensive benefits package including state pension. He will become superintendent in February 2011.[108]

In 2008, Blue Mountain School District reported spending $10,688 per pupil. This ranked 423rd among the 500 school districts in the commonwealth.[109] In 2010, the District’s per pupil spending had increased to $12,250.55.[110] In 2011, Pennsylvania’s per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States.[111] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.[112] The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[113]

Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[114] Pennsylvania’s total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.[115]

Reserves In 2008, Blue Mountain School District reported a $2,128,458.00 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.[116] In 2012, the District's reserves were $3,346,548. Pennsylvania public 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. [117] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.[118]

Audits In January 2013, the Pennsylvania Auditor General's office conducted a performance audit of the districts. Serious findings were reported to the School Board and Administration. It reported that in reviewing BMSD administrative employment contracts, Act 93, collective bargaining agreements and payroll records found wages for employees have been improperly reported as eligible retirement wages to Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System for the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years. This significantly raised pension payments for the individuals involved and increased the local district taxpayers liability for those pensions. [119] In August 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.[120]

Tuition Students who live in the Blue Mountain 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 Blue Mountain 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 Blue Mountain School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $8,263.33, High School - $8,508.62.[121]

Blue Mountain School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax - 1%, an Occupation Assessment - $230, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax - 1%, a Occupational Privilege Tax - $10,00,[122] 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.[123] 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.[124]

State basic education funding

For the 2013-14 school year, the Blue Mountain School District will receive a 2.2% increase or $7,737,636 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $166,408 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Blue Mountain School District will receive $117,620 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Schuylkill County, Saint Clair Area School District and Blue Mountain both received the highest percentage increase at 2.2%. 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.[125] 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.[126]

For the 2012-13 school year, the Blue Mountain School District received $7,571,313.30.[127] 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. Blue Mountain School District received $117,620 in ABG 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.[128] 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, the Blue Mountain School District received a $7,574,238 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[129][130] Additionally, the Blue Mountain School District received $117,620 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount was a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.[131] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District of Allegheny County, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.[132] In 2010, the district reported that 882 students received free or reduced price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[133]

For 2010-11 the Blue Mountain School District received a 5.70% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $8,350,890 payment.[134] The highest increase in BEF in Schuylkill County went to Minersville Area School District which received 9.96%. 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 and fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in state basic education funding. Fifteen (15) Pennsylvania public school districts received a BEF increase of greater than 10%. The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward 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 Governor Rendell’s policy to fund some public school districts at a far greater rate than others.[135]

In the 2009-10 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.65% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $7,900,615 to the Blue Mountain School District. 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.[136] Shenandoah Valley School District received the highest increase in Schuylkill County getting a 14.50% increase in basic education funding, 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.[137] 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.[138] 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.[139] [140]

The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $7,407,775.44. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 481 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.[141]

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 Blue Mountain School District applied for and received $319,251 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the seventh year.[142][143]

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. Blue Mountain School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07 nor 2007-08. For the 2008-09, school year the district received $148,630 in state funding. [144] Among the public school districts in Schuylkill County, the highest award was given to North Schuylkill School District which received $245,673. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards, while 50 never applied for funding.

Environmental Education Grant

The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2012, Blue Mountain School District was awarded $3,000.

Other grants

Blue Mountain School District did not participate in: 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

Blue Mountain School District received an extra $1,645,505 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[145] The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2011-12 school years.

Race to the Top grant

Blue Mountain School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[146] 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.[147] 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.[148]

Common Cents state initiative

The Blue Mountain 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.[149] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

Blue Mountain School Board set property tax rates in 2013-14 at 36.275 mills.[150] 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. 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 all government property (local, state and federal). 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[151] 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.[152] 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. [153]

  • 2012-13 - 35.8800 mills.
  • 2011-12 - 34.9000 mills.
  • 2010-11 - 34.9000 mills.
  • 2009-10 - 34.01 mills.[154]
  • 2008-09 - 32.7000 mills.[155]
  • 2007-08 - 32.7000 mills
  • 2006-07 - 32.7000 mills
  • 2005-06 - 32.7000 mills

The average yearly property tax paid by Schuylkill County residents amounts to about 2.84% of their yearly income. Schuylkill County ranked 700th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. [156] 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 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.[157] 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%).[158]

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.[159] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation eliminating six of the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[160] Several 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.[161][162] 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.

The School District Adjusted Index for the Blue Mountain School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.[163]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Blue Mountain 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.[168]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Blue Mountain School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: teacher pensions and special education costs. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[169]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Blue Mountain School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index due to its escalating teacher pension costs. Each year, the Blue Mountain 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.

According to a state report, for the 2011-12 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.[170]

The Blue Mountain School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2010-11.[171] 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.[172]

Property tax relief

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Blue Mountain School District was $126 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 6,056 property owners applied for the tax relief.[173] In Schuylkill County, the highest amount went to Schuylkill Haven Area School District set at $195. The tax 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 (40,000 m2) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.[174] Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[175] This was the second 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 greater 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.[176]

Extracurriculars

Blue Mountain School District offers a variety, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board.[177][178][179]

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.[180]

Sports

The District funds:

Middle School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2013 [181]

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  121. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2012). "Pennsylvania Public School District Tuition Rates".
  122. ^ "Blue Mountain School Board Meeting Minutes May 14, 2009,". Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  123. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. "Personal Income Taxation Guidelines date=April 2010". {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |title= (help)
  124. ^ John Finnerty (2013). "PA teachers pensions". CNHI Harrisburg Bureau.
  125. ^ Democrat Appropriations Committee, Report on Education funding by LEA, July 2, 2013
  126. ^ Pennsylvania Office of the Budget, 2013-14 State Budget Highlights, 2013
  127. ^ Senator Jake Corman (June 28, 2012). "Pennsylvania Education funding by Local School District" (PDF).
  128. ^ Pennsylvania General Assembly Sen Jake Corman (June 29, 2012). "SB1466 of 2012 General Fund Appropriation".
  129. ^ PA Senate Appropriations Committee (June 28, 2011). "School District 2011-12 Funding Report".
  130. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  131. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  132. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  133. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, District Allocations Report 2009, 2009-10
  134. ^ Pennsylvania house Appropriations Committee. "PA House Appropriations Committee Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010-2011". {{cite web}}: Text "August 2010" ignored (help)
  135. ^ Office of the Budget (February 2010). "Pennsylvania Budget Proposal 2010".
  136. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education - Basic Education Funding by School District 2009-10. October 2009
  137. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report on Funding by school district October 2009
  138. ^ Pennsylvania Office of Budget (February 2009). "Governor's Budget Proposal 2009 Pennsylvania Department of Education Budget Proposal 2009".
  139. ^ U.S. Census Bureau., Annual Survey of Local Government Finances., 2000
  140. ^ U.S. Census Bureau., 2008 Survey of Local Government Finances – School Systems, 2010
  141. ^ "Pennsylvania Department of Education Funding Report by LEA 2009". October 2009.
  142. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Accountability Block Grant report 2010, Grantee list 2010".
  143. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Accountability Block Grant Mid Year report".
  144. ^ Pennsylvania Auditor General (2008-12-22). "Special Performance Audit Classrooms For the Future grants" (PDF).
  145. ^ Schuylkill County ARRA FUNDING Report
  146. ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7201&PageID=510952&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/news_releases/governor_s_office/news_releases/pennsylvania_s__race_to_the_top__fueled_by_effective_reforms__strong_local_support.html
  147. ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support
  148. ^ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
  149. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Common Cents program - Making Every Dollar Count". Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  150. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Finances_Real Estate Tax Rates 2010-11".
  151. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education,. "Act 511 Tax Report, 2004".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  152. ^ State Tax Equalization Board (2011). "State Tax Equalization Board About US".
  153. ^ Pennsylvania Auditor General office - Bureau of Audits (February 2011). "A Special Performance Audit of the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Boards" (PDF).
  154. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania School District Finances_Real Estate Tax Rates_0910".
  155. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania School District Real Estate Tax Rates 2008-09".
  156. ^ Tax-rates.org., The 2013 Tax Resource County Property Taxes 2012, 2012
  157. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania School Finances - Summaries of Annual Financial Report Data 2010-11, 2011
  158. ^ New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners, Tax Foundation, September 22, 2009.
  159. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2010-11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines".
  160. ^ Kaitlynn Riely (August 4, 2011). "Law could restrict school construction projects". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  161. ^ Pennsylvania General Assembly, (June 29, 2011). "SB330 of 2011".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  162. ^ Eric Boehm (July 1, 2011). "Property tax reform final piece of state budget". PA Independent.
  163. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2010.). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 School District Adjusted Index for 2006-2007 through 2011-2012". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  164. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2007-2008 School District Adjusted Index, May 2007
  165. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2010-2011 School District Adjusted Index, May 2010
  166. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2012-2013 School District Adjusted Index, May 2011
  167. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2013-2014 School District Adjusted Index, May 2012
  168. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Report on Referendum Exceptions For School Year 2013-2014, April 2013
  169. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Report on Referendum Exceptions For School Year 2012-2013, March 30, 2012
  170. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (April 2011). "Report on Exceptions".
  171. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (April 2010). "Pennsylvania SSAct1_Act1 Exceptions Report 2010-2011 April 2010".
  172. ^ Scarcella, Frank and Pursell, Tricia (May 25, 2010). "Local school tax assessments exceed state averages". The Daily Item.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  173. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2009). "Estimated Tax Relief Per Homestead and Farmstead May 1, 2009" (PDF).
  174. ^ Pennsylvania Auditor General Office, (2010-02-23). "Special Report Pennsylvania Property Tax Relief,".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  175. ^ Tax Relief per Homestead 5-1-10. Report Pennsylvania Department of Education, May 2010
  176. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program".
  177. ^ Blue Mountain School District Policy Manual - 122 Extracurriculars Policy
  178. ^ Blue Mountain School Board. "Blue Mountain School District Interscholastic Athletics Policy 123".
  179. ^ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. "PIAA Eligibility Rules". Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  180. ^ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities,".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  181. ^ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association, PIAA School Directory, 2013

40°39′19″N 76°05′11″W / 40.6552°N 76.0865°W / 40.6552; -76.0865

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