Blairsville-Saltsburg School District

In 2011, the Blarisville-Saltsburg School District graduation rate was 93%.[14] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Blairsville-Saltsburg School District's rate was 92% for 2010.[15]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 95%[16]
• 2009 - 95%[17]
• 2008 - 92%[18]
• 2007 - 93%[19]

Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 23.2 credits to graduate, including: math 3 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education 1 course per year, Health 0.5 credits, Arts/Humanities 2 credits and 2 electives.[20]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.[21] TAt Blairsville-Satsburg School District the project is a portfolio that consists of a compilation of student work accumulated during grades 9-12. There are six (6) areas or dimensions of the high school experience that the students will include when constructing the graduation portfolio: Teamwork, Communication Skills (Including at least one entry of oral expression; Research Skills, Career Exploration, Use of Technology, and Analytical Thinking.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.[22][23][24]

In the school year 2010–2011, 50 Blarisville-Saltsburg School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 475. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 456.[25] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[26] 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.[27]

See also Blairsville Middle-High School

Blairsville High School is a 9th - 12th grade secondary school located at 104/102 School Lane at the Blairsville campus. The middle school is located in the east wing of the Middle/High School building and shares the building with the High School and district administrative offices. The gym in the middle school is the main venue for Blairsville High School sports, as it holds more fans than its high school counterpart.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 418 pupils, with 154 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 28.80 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[28] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[29]

in 2010 and 2011, Blairsville High School achieved AYP status.[30] In 2010 and 2011, the graduation rate was 92%.[31]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 82% on grade level, (12% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
• 2010 - 69%, (18% below basic). State - 66%[33]
• 2009 - 66% (19% below basic). State - 65%[34]
• 2008 - 77% (8% below basic). State - 65%[35]
• 2007 - 71% (14% below basic). State - 65%[36]

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 73%, on grade level (12% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[37]
• 2010 - 64%, (24% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 60% (26% below basic). State - 56%.
• 2008 - 76% (10% below basic). State - 56%
• 2007 - 69% (18% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 53% on grade level (16% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[38]
• 2010 - 43% (17% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 31% (23% below basic). State - 40%[39]
• 2008 - 41% (11% below basic). State - 39%

Blairsville Middle-High School is a technologically advanced school with three computer labs, a portable wireless lab, a computer assisted drafting and design lab, a computer assisted mathematics lab, and a local area network with independent servers and Internet access on all computers.Blairsville Middle School

Middle School is located at 104 School Lane, Blairsville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 275 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 120 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 19.70 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[40] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[41]

In 2011, the Blairsville Middle School declined to Warning status due to lagging reading achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP.[42]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 65% on grade level (12% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 69% (12% below basic). State – 57%[47]
• 2009 - 65% (9% below basic). State - 55%[48]
• 2008 - 66% (16% below basic), State - 52%[49]

Blairsville Elementary School is located in Burrell Township, Indiana County at the junction of Routes 22 and 119. Approximately 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Pittsburgh, it is one of two rural elementary schools in the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District. BES shares a 36-acre campus with Blairsville Middle School, Blairsville High School and the Central Administration Office. Blairsville Elementary School serves students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. It features a library, computer lab, spacious classrooms and specially designed areas for music and physical education. Each instructional area has a telephone, four computers and a TV/VCR enabling classes to have access to Cable in the Classroom and a local area network with Internet access. Teachers are encouraged to utilize all areas of technology in instruction. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the school had 224 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 28.5 teachers,a yielding student–teacher ratio of 16:1.[50] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act in 2011.[51]

The Blairsville Elementary curriculum focuses on instruction in a Comprehensive Balanced Literacy Reading Program and Everyday Math, and includes computer technology instruction, library skills, social studies, health, science, art and music through an integrated and thematic approach. A variety of enrichment, remedial and extra-curricular activities extend the basic curriculum. Some of these include, Chorus, Band, Gifted-Challenge Program, Title I Reading, Tutoring Program, field trips and assembly programs. Parents are involved in many aspects of Blairsville Elementary School. The BES School Community Council provides ongoing collaborative initiatives focusing on School-Home Communication, Reading, Study Skills and Student Responsibility. The Blairsville PTO also sponsors many diverse annual events and encourages parents to become involved in all areas of our school community. There is a community based athletic Booster Program that supports our Cheerleading, Basketball, Football and Wrestling programs.

Blairsville Elementary School

Blairsville Elementary School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.[52] In 2011, the attendance rate was 93%, while in 2010 the rate was 94%.[53]

4th Grade Science

• 2011 - 80%, (7% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 83%, (7% below basic), State - 81%
• 2009 - 86%, (1% below basic), State - 83%
• 2008 - 76%, (3% below basic), State - 81%

Saltsburg Elementary School is a neighborhood school located near the town of Saltsburg in Loyalhanna Township in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Built in 1955, Saltsburg Elementary was originally known as the Willard School. Following a renovation in 1983, it was renamed Saltsburg Elementary. The school services students in kindergarten through grade six. The elementary curriculum includes a strong emphasis on reading and math with integrated instruction in science, social studies and health. In addition, the curriculum includes instruction in computer skills, library skills, instrumental and vocal music, art and physical education. Saltsburg Elementary School has access to the services of ARIN Intermediate Unit instructional and school psychological staff that includes a school psychologist, hearing clinician, speech/language clinician, vision consultant and gifted support teacher. Saltsburg Elementary School

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 356 pupils, with 176 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 26.50 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:43:1.[58] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[59]

In 2010 and 2011, Saltsburg Elementary School achieved AYP status.[60] The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 94% in 2011.[61]

PSSA results

4th Grade Science

• 2011 - 85%, (7% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 87%, (4% below basic), State - 81%
• 2009 - 82%, (3% below basic), State - 83%
• 2008 - 90%, (4% below basic), State - 81%

for more information, see also Saltsburg Middle-High School

Saltsburg Middle-High School is located at. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 369 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 152 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 28.62 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of :131.[66] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 6 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[67]

Saltsburg Middle-High School achieved AYP status in 2010 and 2011.[68] The graduation rate was 94% in 2011, while in 2010, 98% of the 12th graders graduated.[69]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 60% on grade level, (20% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
• 2010 - 74% (6% below basic). State - 66%[33]
• 2009 - 70% (13% below basic). State - 65%[34]
• 2008 - 68% (16% below basic). State - 65%[35]
• 2007 - 83% (9% below basic). State - 65%[36]

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 60%, on grade level (24% below basic). State - 60.3%[70]
• 2010 - 83% (6% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 74% (12% below basic). State - 56%.
• 2008 - 72% (12% below basic). State - 56%[71]
• 2007 - 71% (9% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 32% on grade level (18% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[38]
• 2010 - 23% (11% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 41% (14% below basic). State - 40%[72]
• 2008 - 36%, (10% below basic). State - 39% [73]

8th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 67% on grade level (7% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 69% (5% below basic). State – 57%[47]
• 2009 - 53% (14% below basic). State - 55%[48]
• 2008 - 60% (17% below basic), State - 52%[49]

Most graduated students go on to some sort of post-secondary institution. The most popular colleges include Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which is located nearby, other state-system universities such as Clarion and Slippery Rock, the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Saint Vincent College, Saint Francis University, Washington & Jefferson College, and Duquesne University. Other students in recent years have attended Juniata College, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham College, Dickinson College, Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, Colgate University, Johns Hopkins University, Virginia Tech, the US Naval Academy, Kent State University, West Virginia University, New York University, Arizona State University and the University of Colorado. Most students who do not go on to attend a four-year institution will attend a technical or other specialty school or serve in a branch of the military.

The District Administration reported that 87 or 4.21% of its students were gifted in 2009.[89] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The District's program is called Gifted-Challenge Program. 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.[90][91]

The district provides nearly 250 jobs to Indiana County. For the 2007-2008 year the district employs:

• Teachers: 138
• Aides: 25
• Cafeteria Staff: 25
• Custodial Staff: 19
• Secretarial Staff: 15
• Administrative Staff: 7
• Counselors: 6
• Librarians: 4
• Nurses: 4
• Supervisory Staff: 2
• Other Service Coordinators: 1
• Other: 1
• Total: 247

In 2011–12, the district received a $8,986,660 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[108][109] Additionally, the School District received $138,671 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011.[110] The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011–12.[111] In 2010, the district reported that 850 students or 46.9% of BSSD students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[112]

For the 2010-11 budget year, Blairsville-Saltsburg School District was awarded a 2% increase for a total of $9,316,471.17 in Basic Education funding. All the school districts in Indiana County were awarded the 2% base increase in Basic Education Funding. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[113]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.67% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $9,316,471. This was the highest increase given to Indiana County school districts. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $8,776,480.87. Ninety school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[114] The amount of increase each school district receives is set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.[115]

Beginning in 2004–2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania's school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010–11, the district applied for and received $376,389, in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten.[116][117]

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 to 2009. Blairsville-Saltsburg School District did not apply to participate in 2006–07. In 2007–08, the district received $272,239. The district received $90,826 in 2008–09.[118]

The district received an extra $2,180,973 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[119] The funding is for the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[120]

District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided over one million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[121] 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.[122] 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.[123][124][125]

The School Board elected to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[126] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes

Property tax rates in 2011-12 were set, by the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board, at 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 109.8600 mills for Westmoreland County. 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.[127] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75 and 85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[128] Blairsville-Saltsburg 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.[129]

• 2010-11 - 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 109.8600 mills for Westmoreland County[130]
• 2009-10 - 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 119.7600 mills for Westmoreland County[131]
• 2008-09 - 126.3400 mills for Indiana County and 119.7600 mills for Westmoreland County[132]
• 2007-08 - 120.7400 mills for Indiana County and 115.9400 mills for Westmoreland County[133]

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011–2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[134] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[135] The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[136][137]

The School District Adjusted Index for the School District 2006-2007 through 2011–2012.[138]

• 2006-07 - 5.5%, Base 3.9%
• 2007-08 - 4.9%, Base 3.4%
• 2008-09 - 6.3%, Base 4.4%
• 2009-10 - 5.9%, Base 4.1%
• 2010-11 - 4.2%, Base 2.9%
• 2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4%
• 2012-13 - 2.4%, Base 1.7%[139]

For the 2011–12 school year, the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Blairsville-Saltsburg 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.[140]

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.[141]

The Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[142] For 2009-10 school budget, the Blairsville-Saltsburg School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[143] 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.[144]

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District was $302 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,759 property owners applied for the tax relief.[145] The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres (40,000 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Indiana County, 65.17% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[146] In Indiana County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2010, went to property owners in Blairsville-Saltsburg School District. In Westmoreland County, the highest relief went to New Kensington-Arnold School District property owners. The highest property tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[147] This was the third 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, individual with income much 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.[148]

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%).[149]

Football (since 1985)

Saltsburg: 1991

Baseball Blairsville:2012 Girls' Basketball Blairsville:2012 2015

Boys' basketball (since 1948)

Blairsville: 1993 (AA), 1994 (AA), 2005 (A), 2006 (A) 2015 A

Saltsburg: 2000, 2002, 2003

Total: Saltsburg:4 Blairsville:6 Heritage Conference Championships Football:Blairsville: 2002,2003,2004,2005,2014 Saltsburg:0