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Tamaqua Area School District
Address
Map
138 West Broad Street

Tamaqua
,
Schuylkill County
,
Pennsylvania Flag of Pennsylvania
18252-0112

United States United States
Information
TypePublic
School board9 elected members
SuperintendentCarol Makuta
AdministratorMr Raymond J Kinder, Asst Superintendent

Mrs Connie Ligenza, Business Manager
Terri Klingaman, Confidential Recordkeeper
Mrs. Kristin Melnick, Director of Nutritional Services
Ruth A. Gardiner, Director, Special Education
Ken Dunkelberger, Director of Technology
Charlie Petro, Network Administrator
Zac Blihar, Software Support Supervisor
Michael W. Hromyak, Jr., Athletic Director & PR Com. Coordinator
Art Oakes, Facilities Manager

Mary Ellen Francis, Transportation Director
PrincipalMr. Stephen Toth, High School Principal
PrincipalMr. Christopher Czapla, Middle School Principal
PrincipalMr. Steven Behr, Elementary Principal
Staff172 non teaching staff
Faculty110 in 2010 [1]
GradesK-12
Age5 years old to 21 years for special education
Number of pupils2057 (2009-2010)[5]
 • Kindergarten181
 • Grade 1148
 • Grade 2171
 • Grade 3138
 • Grade 4139
 • Grade 5175
 • Grade 6159
 • Grade 7166
 • Grade 8148
 • Grade 9157
 • Grade 10154
 • Grade 11152
 • Grade 12159
 • OtherEnrollment projected to be 2053 in 2019
Budget$26.7 million (2013-14) [3]

$25.3 million (2012-13)

$27,470,664 (2010-11)[4]
Tuitionfor nonresident and charter school students ES - $8,311.23, HS - $8,898.35 [2]
Per pupil spending$11,281 in 2008
Per pupil spending$11,816.47 in 2010
Website[1]

The Tamaqua Area School District is a public school district in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA. It is centered on the borough of Tamaqua and the townships of Rush Township, Walker Township, Schuylkill Township, and West Penn Township. It encompasses approximately 123 square miles. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 17,042. According to District officials, in school year 2007-08 the Tamaqua Area School District provided basic educational services to 2,284 pupils through the employment of 164 teachers, 101 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 21 administrators.

The district operates three elementary schools: Rush, Tamaqua, and West Penn; one middle and one high school.

Governance

The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[6] 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 skills in reading and mathematics.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" 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.[7]

Academic achievement

The Tamaqua Area School District was ranked 320th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2012, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on the last three years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, mathematics and science.[8] 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. The highest ranking public school district was Blue Mountain School District at 133rd.

  • 2011 - 296th
  • 2010 - 275th [9]
  • 2009 - 330th
  • 2008 - 342nd
  • 2007 - 338th of 501 school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[10]
Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Tamaqua Area School District ranked 438th. In 2011, the district was 414th. [11] 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 lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[12]

In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Tamaqua Area School District, was in the 44th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0-99; 100 is state best) [13]

AYP status history

In 2011, Tamaqua Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). 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 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. In 2006 through 2010, Tamaqua Area School District achieved AYP. In 2004, the District declined to School Improvement level1 and in 2005 the District improved to Making Progress in School Improvement.[14]

Graduation rate

In 2011, the graduation rate was 98%.[15] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Tamaqua Area High School's rate was 82% for 2010.[16]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

High school

Tamaqua Area High School is located at 500 Penn Street, Tamaqua. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 661 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 158 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 35 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 18:1.[21] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[22]

In 2011, Tamaqua Area Senior High School declined to Warning status due to low math achievement and lagging reading achievement of 11th graders. In 2010, the school achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).[23]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 69% on grade level, (18% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[24]
  • 2010 - 67% (19% below basic). State - 66% [25]
  • 2009 - 72%, State - 65% [26]
  • 2008 - 54%, State - 65%[27]
  • 2007 - 66%, State - 65% [28]
11th Grade Math
  • 2011 - 58% on grade level (28% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[29]
  • 2010 - 59% (27% below basic). State -59% [30]
  • 2009 - 55%, State - 56% [31]
  • 2008 - 40%, State - 56% [32]
  • 2007 - 51%, State - 53%
11th Grade Science
  • 2011 - 43% on grade level (17% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[33]
  • 2010 - 39% (15% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 48%, State - 40% [34]
  • 2008 - 31%, State - 39% [35]

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 33% of Tamaqua 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.[36] 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.[37] 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 the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program in: English, Sociology, Statistics, Public Speaking and Calculus at Lehigh Carbon Community College. 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 offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[38] In 2010 the district received 9,710.00. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[39] The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system.[40]

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, 85 Tamaqua Area Senior High School students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 481. The Math average score was 501. The Writing average score was 468.[41] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[42] 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.[43]

Advanced placement

Tamaqua High School offers Advanced Placement courses in English, Biology, US History, European History, Spanish, Calculus and Physics. Students are responsible to pay for their own AP exam fees.

Graduation requirements

The Tamaqua Area School Board has determined that students must earn 22 credits to graduate, including: 4 credits of Language Arts, 3.5 credits of Social Studies, 3 credits of Mathematics, 3 credits of Science, 1.5 credits of Humanities, 1.5 credits of Health, Computer Application I and enough electives to achieve 22 credits.[44]

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.[45] The project is a 4 year process at Tamaqua Area High School that focuses on career opportunities.[46] This project includes job shadowing, college visits, community service, research papers, and more.[47]

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 for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.[48][49][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.

Programs

The high school offers instruction through an alternative education program for students with behavioral issues and a virtual campus program. Students may also elect to attend one of the Schuylkill County Area Vocational-Technical Schools which are located in Frackville and at Marlin (near Minersville). The district is responsible for transportation from the high school.[52]

Middle school

Tamaqua Area Middle School is located at 502 Penn Street, Tamaqua. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 481 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 158 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 27 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 17:1.[53] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[54] Tamaqua Area Middle School is located on a 101 acre site.

In 2011, Tamaqua Area Middle School declined to Warning AYP status.[55] In 2010, Tamaqua Area Middle School achieved AYP status.[56]

PSSA Results
8th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 84% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
  • 2010 - 88% (7% below basic). State - 81% [57]
  • 2009 - 88%, State - 80% [58]
  • 2008 - 88%, State - 78% [59]
  • 2007 - 82%, State - 75%
8th Grade Math
  • 2011 - 75% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 76.9% [60]
  • 2010 - 76% (8% below basic). State - 75%
  • 2009 - 77%, State - 71%
  • 2008 - 79%, State - 70%
  • 2007 - 68%, State - 67%
8th Grade Science
  • 2011 - 62% on grade level (23% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 - 67% (18% below basic). State - 57%.
  • 2009 - 62%, State: - 54%
  • 2008 - 67%, State - 52%
7th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 75% on grade level (10% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2010 - 72% (15% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2009 - 68%, State - 71.7%
  • 2008 - 70%, State - 70%
  • 2007 - 77%, State - 66%
7th Grade Math
  • 2011 - 79% on grade level (9% below basic). State - 78.6%
  • 2010 - 76% (10% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2009 - 81%, State - 75%
  • 2008 - 79%, State - 72%
  • 2007 - 82%, State - 67%
6th Grade Reading
  • 2011 - 72% (11% below basic). State - 69.9%
  • 2010 - 69% (10% below basic). State - 68%
  • 2009 - 65%, State - 67%
  • 2008 - 68%, State - 67%
  • 2007 - 61%
6th Grade Math
  • 2011 - 87% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 78.8%
  • 2010 - 81% (9% below basic). State - 78%
  • 2009 - 75%, State - 75.9%
  • 2008 - 72%, State - 72%
  • 2007 - 68%

Elementary schools

West Penn Township Elementary School is located at 185 School Drive, New Ringgold. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 247 pupils in grades kindergarten through 65h, with 49 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 10 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 25:1.[61] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[62] In 2010 and 2011, West Penn Township Elementary School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[63] In 2011, only 74% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In math, 84% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 40% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 96% of the pupils were on grade level.[64]

Tamaqua Elementary School is located at Boyle Avenue, Tamaqua. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 562 pupils in grades preschool through 5th, with 263 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 28 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 20:1.[65] The school is a Title I school. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[66] In 2011, Tamaqua Elementary School declined to Warning status due to lagging student reading and especially math achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status.[67] In 2011, only 63% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th with 19% below basic. In math, just 71% of the students in 3rd through 5th grades were on grade level and 10% scored below basic. In 4th grade science, 84% of the pupils were on grade level.[68]

Rush Elementary School is located at 50 Meadow Avenue, Tamaqua. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported offering kindergarten, kindergarten plus and first grade.[69] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[70]

Virtual school

In 2012 the district established a virtual school giving students, who reside in the District, access to a locally run online education. The move was prompted by students leaving the district's traditional schools to attend one of Pennsylvania's 12 statewide cyber schools. The District Administration reported that 9 students are enrolled in its virtual school in 2012.

Special education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 387 pupils or 18.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[71]

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.[72][73]

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.[74]

Tamaqua Area School District received a $1,214,003 supplement for special education services in 2010.[75]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 42 or 2.02% of its students were gifted in 2009.[76] 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.[77]

Technology plan

The district has 40 Smartboard K-12. It also has more than 1000 laptops and personal computers. The district reports making professional development in the effective use of technology a priority. It credits the effective use of technology as an important part of the students improvement in reading and math scores.[78]

Bullying policy

The Tamaqua Area School District administration reported there were no incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.[79][80]

The Tamaqua Area School Board has provided the district's anti-bully policy online.[81] 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.[82] 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.[83]

Education standards relating to student safety and anti-harassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[84]

Wellness policy

The School Board established a district wellness policy in June, 2006.[85] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level intending that the individual needs of each district 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.[86] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval. A study was conducted of the submitted policies (n=499). It found that the majority of districts complied with the mandates of the law. Most districts identified the superintendent and school food service director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[87]

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, 4 schools in Tamaqua Area School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Tamaqua Area Senior High School received $10,000 which was used to purchase equipment for its Bike Challenge Program which uses mountain biking concepts in physical education programming. Tamaqua Area Middle School received $9,995 to purchase equipment to enhance the physical education program by incorporating spinning by use of Trixter bikes. Tamaqua Area Elementary School received $9,341 to purchase equipment for its Exergaming for Fitness program which uses video games. West Penn Elementary received $10,000 to purchase equipment for its Exergaming for Fitness program which uses video games in physical education programming.[88] 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.

Budget

In 2009, the district reports employing over 170 teachers with a starting salary of $38,000.[89] The average teacher salary was $53,065 while the maximum salary is $107,068.[90] In Pennsylvania, the average teacher salary for Pennsylvania's 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977 in 2008.[91] 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.[92] Additionally, Tamaqua Area School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days and 10 paid sick days, life insurance and other benefits.[93] According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[94]

In 2007, the district employed 149 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $50,313 for 180 school days worked.[95]

Tamaqua Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $634.23 per pupil. The district is ranked 465th out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[96]

In 2008, Tamaqua Area School District reported spending $11,281 per pupil. This ranked 403rd in the commonwealth.[97]

Reserves

In 2009, the district reported a $3,108,938 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.[98]

In October 2, 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.[99]

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1%, Occupation Privilege Tax $5, Assessed Occupation Tax $225.00, a per capita tax $10,[100] a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.05%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.[101]

State basic education funding

For 2010-11 the Tamaqua Area School District received a 2.43% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $7,082,939 payment.[102] The highest increase in BEF in Schuylkill County went to Minersville Area School District which received 9.96%. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase. 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. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[103]

In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.57% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $6,915,134 to the Tamaqua Area School District. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $6,488,663. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low income students, for special education costs, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more.[104] Shenandoah Valley School District was the highest increase in Schuylkill County with 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.[105]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 535 district students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.[106]

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 Tamaqua Area School District applied for and received $348,616 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to achieve Class size reduction in K-3 and to hire teachers to instruct other teachers in improving math and reading instruction.[107][108]

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. Tamaqua Area School District did not apply for funding in 2006-07 nor In 2007-08. For the 2008-09, school year the district received $125,812. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[109]

Science It’s Elementary grant

Tamaqua Elementary School successfully applied to participate and received a Science It’s Elementary grant. For the 2008-09 school year, the program was offered in 143 schools reaching 2,847 teachers and 66,973 students across Pennsylvania.[110] In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education initiated an effort to improve science instruction in the Commonwealth’s public elementary schools. Called Science: It’s Elementary, the program is a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.[111] To encourage schools to adopt the program’s standards aligned curriculum, the state provided a grant to cover the costs of materials and extensive mandatory teacher training.[112] The district was required to develop a three-year implementation plan for the participating school. They had to appoint a district liaison who was paid $3000 by PDE to serve as the conduit of all information between the district and the Department and its agents along with submitting orders and distributing supplies to implementing teachers. For the 2006-07 state education budget, $10 million was allocated. The 2006-07 State Education Budget provided $635 million in new spending for pre-K through 12th grades for the 2006-07 school year. This marks an 8-percent increase over 2005-06 public school funding.[113] The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget.

Blue Raider Foundation grants

Blue Raider Foundation ia a local entity that focuses on enrichment funding to Tamaqua public schools. In 2012 it awarded $3000 in grants to individual teachers in the Tamaqua Area School District. The Blue Raider Foundation is a 501(c) 3 corporation.[114]

Federal Stimulus Grant

The district received an extra $1,886,272 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[115] The funding is for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.

Race to the Top grant

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to one million dollars in additional federal funding for improving student academic achievement.[116] 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.[117] 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.[118]

Common Cents state initiative

The Tamaqua Area 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.[119] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The Tamaqua Area School Board set property tax rates in 2013-14 33.36 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[120] The school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, necessitating a state board equalization of the tax rates between the counties.

  • 2012-13 - 33.36 mills[121]
  • 2011-12 - 33.3600 mills [122]
  • 2010-11 - 33.3600 mills.[123][124]
  • 2009-10 - 32.1100 mills.[125]
  • 2008-09 - 32.1100 mills.[126]
  • 2007-08 - 32.1100 mills.[127]
  • 2006-07 - 32.1100 mills.[128]
  • 2005-06 - 30.3600 mills.[129]

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.[130] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[131] 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.[132][133]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Tamaqua Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[134]

  • 2006-07 - 5.2%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007-08 - 4.5%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008-09 - 5.9%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009-10 - 5.5%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010-11 - 3.9%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011-12 - 1.8%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.2%, Base 1.7% [135]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Tamaqua Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. 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. 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.[136]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Tamaqua Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the 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.[137]

According to a state report, for the 2011-2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions: 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.[138]

The Tamaqua Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2009-10 nor in 2010-11.[139] 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.[140]

Property tax relief

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Tamaqua Area School District was $141 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 4,967 property owners applied for the tax relief. Schuylkill Haven Area School District received $195 which was the highest property tax relief allotted in Schuylkill County for 2009.[141] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.[142] 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.[143] 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 home owners. The maximum rebate for both home owners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have income substantially more than $35,000, may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.[144]

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%).[145]

Extracurriculars

Tamaqua Area School District offers an extensive variety of clubs, activities and 20 sports. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies.[146] No student (enrolled in grades 7 through 12) is permitted to participate in cocurricular activities, have driving privileges or obtain a parking permit unless the student and the student’s parent/guardian has signed a consent to mandatory testing and authorization for Release of Information form, authorizing the random drug testing of their student.[147] in 2012, the Board cut golf, tennis and cheerleading due to budget constraints caused by the escalating pension funding mandate.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private non-public school, cyber charter school, charter school and those home-schooled, 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.[148]

Sports

The High School provides:

Middle School
  • According to PIAA directory July 2012 [149]

References

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  147. ^ "TASD Drug Testing Policy".
  148. ^ 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)
  149. ^ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2012). "PIAA School Directory".
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