Carbondale Area School District

In 2012, Carbondale Area School District declined to Warning Adequate YEarly Progress (AYP) status due to lagging student achievement at both schools and a low graduation rate.[43] In 2011, Carbondale Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress. 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.[44] Carbondale Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2009, while in 2003 the district was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[45]

In 2016, the District's graduation rate was 87.96%.[46]

• 2015 - 89.58%.[47] The nationwide graduation rate was 83%.[48]
• 2014 - 89.5%.[49]
• 2013 - 87.7% [50]
• 2012 - 88%[51]
• 2011 - 89%[52]
• 2010 - 88%, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate.[53]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 92%[54]
• 2009 - 91%[55]
• 2008 - 93%[56]
• 2007 - 93%[57]

Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School is located at 101 Brooklyn Street, Carbondale. In 2016, enrollment was reported as 680 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 55.8% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Additionally, 18% of pupils received special education services, while none of pupils were identified as gifted.[58] The school employed 45 teachers.[59][60]

In 2014, enrollment was reported as 713 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 60% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 17.9% of pupils received special education services, while 2% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 52 teachers.[61] Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School reported an enrollment of 628 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 312 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 51 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.[62]

2016 School Performance Profile

SPP 66.4 out of 100 points. Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School Keystone Exams mandated testing results were: 78% of students were on grade level in reading/literature and 64% of students demonstrated on grade level in Algebra I. In Biology I, 64% of pupils demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the Biology course.[63] Fifty-three (53%) of students in 8th grade were on grade level in reading, while 21% of students demonstrated on grade level in mathematics. In science, 49% of eighth grade pupils demonstrated on grade level science understanding.[63] In 7th grade, 58% of pupils were on grade level in reading, while just 28% demonstrated on grade level math skills. The requirement that pupils pass the Keystone Exams in reading, algebra I and bIology I in order to graduate was postponed until 2019 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly because less than 60% of 12 grade pupils statewide would have been eligible for graduation from high school due to failing one or more Keystone Exams.[64] Fifty-four percent of the 2,676 public schools in Pennsylvania achieved a passing score of 70 or better.[65]

2015 School Performance Profile

The PDE withheld SPP scores. Test scores reflected on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. The PDE reported that 78% of the Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School's students were on grade level in reading/literature. In Algebra 1, just 64% of students showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology I, 63% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[66][67] It was reported that 63% of 8th grade students at the School students were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In math/Algebra 1, just 26% of 8th grade students showed on grade level skills. In science, 50% of the school's 8th graders demonstrated on grade level science understanding. No eighth grade writing scores were reported. In 7th grade, 50% were on grade level in reading, while 23% showed on grade level math skills. Statewide, 53 percent of schools with an eleventh grade achieved an academic score of 70 or better. Five percent of the 2,033 schools with 11th grade were scored at 90 and above; 20 percent were scored between 80 and 89; 28 percent between 70 and 79; 25 percent between 60 and 69 and 22 percent below 60. The Keystone Exam results showed: 73 percent of students statewide scored at grade-level in English, 64 percent in Algebra I and 59 percent in biology.[68][69] Statewide 58% of eighth (8th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 29% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 7th graders were 58% on grade level in reading and 33% demonstrated on grade level math skills.[70]

2014 School Performance Profile

Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School achieved 74.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 72% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, only 69% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, just 49% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. In eighth grade - 74% of pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[71][72] Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.[73]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools (72 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.[74] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[75][76]

2013 School Performance Profile

Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School achieved 68.5 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 70.24% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 67.4% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 42% showed on grade level science understanding. In 8th grade, 84.95% demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[77] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.[78]

In 2012, Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School declined further to School Improvement II AYP status due to continuing low student achievement and low graduation rates.[79] Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent(s) the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the district.

• 2011 - Making Progress: in School Improvement I due to lagging student achievement.[80]
• 2010 - declined to School Improvement I AYP status. the school administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[81] The High School was eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[82]
• 2009 - declined to Warning AYP status.[83]

PSSA Results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[84] In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.[85]

Seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.[86] Testing in science began in 2007. In 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics, in compliance with a mandate unilaterally imposed by Governor Edward Rendell.[87]

11th Grade Reading:

• 2012 - 66% on grade level (18% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 67% of 11th graders on grade level.[88]
• 2011 - 84% (11% below basic). State - 69% [89]
• 2010 - 65% (24% below basic). State - 66%[90]
• 2009 - 73% (12% below basic), State - 65% [91]
• 2008 - 81% (4% below basic), State - 65% [92]
• 2007 - 77% (10% below basic), State - 65% [93]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 - 56% on grade level (27% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[94]
• 2011 - 65% (16% below basic). State - 60%
• 2010 - 56% (32% below basic). State - 59%[95]
• 2009 - 62% (25% below basic), State - 56%[96]
• 2008 - 64% (18% below basic), State - 56%
• 2007 - 51% (18% below basic), State - 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 38% on grade level (23% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2011 - 39% (29% below basic). State - 40%
• 2010 - 30% (32% below basic). State - 39%[97]
• 2009 - 36% (26% below basic), State - 40%
• 2008 - 25% (30% below basic), State - 39% [98]

Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School did not take 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.[99] Schools in the area worked with Cedar Crest College to provide the enrichment experiences.

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 16% of Carbondale 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.[100][101] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, earned a bachelor's degree within six years.[102] Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.[103] 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.[104]

Carbondale Area High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. Carbondale Area has a dual enrollment agreement with Marywood University.[105] The state initially offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[106] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[107] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $1,005 for the program.[108]

The Carbondale Area School Board has determined that students must earn 23 credits to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Mathematics 3 credits, Science 3 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Arts or Humanities 2 credits, Health 0.5 credits, and Electives 5.5 credits.[109]

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.[110] At Carbondale Area School District the project is a three-year process which includes a research paper and oral presentation. 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.[111]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2020,[112][113] public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[114] 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 pass able to perform a project in order to graduate.[115][116] The original intent was to gradually add seven more exams including civics and geometry. In 2017, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation that eliminated developing any more Keystone Exams in other subjects.[117] 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.[118] 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 Individual Education Plan (IEP).

In 2017, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed House Bill 202,[119] which makes modifications of the Keystone Exam mandates for students who attend VoTech and Career Tech schools. These pupils will be allowed to use alternate assessments or industry-based certifications.[120][121]

In 2016, 52 Carbondale Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 469. The Math average score was 473. The Writing average score was 446.[122] The College Board also reported that statewide 92,569 pupils took the exams with average scores declining again in all three measurers to: 494 in reading, 508 in math and 482 in writing.[123] Among the 12 high schools in the CSIU16 region, Area High School ranked th which was above the state average.[124] Nationally, 1,681,134 students took the SATs.[125]

In 2015, 73 Carbondale Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 451. The Math average score was 456. The Writing average score was 442.[126] The College Board also reported that statewide 96,826 pupils took the exams with average scores declining in all three measurers to: 495 in reading, 511 in math and 484 in writing.[127]

In 2014, 59 Carbondale Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 470. The Math average score was 494. The Writing average score was 462.[128] Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing.[129]

In 2013, 58 Carbondale Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 464. The Math average score was 475. The Writing average score was 455. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.[130]

In 2012, 71 Carbondale Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 462. The Math average score was 470. The Writing average score was 446. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the US, 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, 59 Carbondale Area students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 460. The Math average score was 487. The Writing average score was 453.[131] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[132] 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.[133]

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania's SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC.[134]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.

Seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.[135]

8th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 76% on grade level, 46% advanced (12% below basic) State - 79% [136]
• 2011 - 87%, 65% advanced (7% below basic) State - 81%
• 2010 - 91%, 82% advanced (3% below basic) State - 81%
• 2009 - 87%, 68% advanced (4% below basic), State - 80%
• 2008 - 94%, 79% advanced (2% below basic), State - 78%
• 2007 - 85%, 53% advanced (6% below basic), State - 75%[137]

8th Grade Math

• 2012 - 77% on grade level. 55% advanced (13% below basic) State - 76%
• 2011 - 84%, 68% advanced (7% below basic) State - 76%
• 2010 - 85%, 71% advanced (8% below basic) State - 75%
• 2009 - 80%, 66% advanced (11% below basic), State - 71%
• 2008 - 88%, 66% advanced (3% below basic), State - 70% [138]
• 2007 - 85%, 65% advanced (4% below basic), State - 67%

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 50% on grade level. (32% below basic). State - 59%.
• 2011 - 38% (46% below basic). State - 58%.
• 2010 - 44% on grade level. State - 57%.
• 2009 - 43%, State - 54% [139]
• 2008 - 58%, State - 52% [140]

Dropout Early Warning System

In 2013, Carbondale Area School District did not implement a no-cost dropout prevention Early Warning System and Interventions Catalog at the junior high school.[141] The process identifies students at risk for dropping out by examining attendance, behavior and course grades. Interventions are implemented to assist at-risk pupils to remain in school. The program is funded by federal and private dollars.[142]

Carbondale Area Elementary School is located at 103 Brooklyn Street, Carbondale. In 2016, the School's enrollment was 972 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 50% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 18% of the pupils receive special education services, while none are identified as gifted.[143] The school provides full day kindergarten and taxpayer funded preschool.[144] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In 2014, the school's enrollment was 930 pupils in grades preschool through 6th, with 56% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 19% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted.[145] The school employed 61 teachers. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full-day kindergarten since 2004.[146] The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school has a mandatory uniform policy.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 933 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 634 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. Carbondale Area Elementary School employed 56 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 16.5:1.[147] Carbondale Area Elementary School reported a 94% attendance rate in 2010 and 2009.[148] Carbondale Elementary School has provided full-day kindergarten since 2004. The school also provides taxpayer-funded preschool.[149]

2016 School Performance Profile

SPP declined to 56.6 out of 100 points.[150] Carbondale Area Elementary School PSSA mandated testing results were: just 41% of students in 5th grade were on grade level in reading, while only 27% of students demonstrated on grade level mathematics skills. In 4th grade, 46% were on grade level in reading, while 22% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 57% of fourth grade pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding of science concepts in the state standards. Among the school's third graders, just 52% were on grade level in reading and only 29% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In 6th grade, 45% were on grade level in reading, while 16% demonstrated on grade level math skills.[151][152] In the Commonwealth, just 60% of third graders were reading on grade level. Among Pennsylvania 4th graders 58% were reading on grade level and 61% of fifth graders were reading on grade level.[153]

2015 School Performance Profile

SPP withheld by PDE According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, just 34% of 5th grade students at Carbondale Area Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, only 21% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 43% were on grade level in reading, while just 16% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 68% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, 57% were on grade level in reading and 29% were on grade level in mathematics. Among 6th graders, 54% were on grade level in reading and 26% were on grade level in mathematics.[154] Statewide 61.9% of fifth (5th) graders were on grade level in reading, while 42.8% demonstrated on grade level math skills. Pennsylvania 4th graders were 58.6% on grade level in reading and 44.4% demonstrated on grade level math skills. In science, 77.3% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among Pennsylvania third (3rd) graders, 62% were reading on grade level, while 48.5% demonstrated on grade level math skills.[155]

2014 School Performance Profile

Carbondale Area Elementary School achieved a score of 62.5 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 55% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, only 57% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, just 60% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 60% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 45% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[156]

2013 School Performance Profile

Carbondale Area Elementary School achieved a score of 58.5 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 56.5% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In 3rd grade, just 57.6% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 64.8% were on grade level (3rd-6th grades). In 4th grade science, just 72.32% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In 5th grade writing, only 54% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[157] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

Proponents of full-day kindergarten and taxpayer-funded preschool claim it will reduce special education numbers and it will raise primary student academic achievement especially in reading and math.[158] Those outcomes have not been realized in the Carbondale Area School District. Reading achievement in particular has declined.[159]

AYP history

Carbondale Area Elementary School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status in 2012 due to lagging student academic achievement in both reading and mathematics. The school achieved AYP in each school year 2004 through 2011.[160] In 2011, the school was named a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education.[161] Dr. Paul Kazmarcik (principal) applied for the recognition.[162] In 2003, Carbondale Area Elementary School was in Warning AYP status due to lagging reading achievement.

PSSA results

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 84% (3% below basic), State - 82%
• 2011 - 92% (1% below basic), State - 83%
• 2010 - 96% (1% below basic), State - 81%
• 2009 - 90% (1% below basic), State - 83%
• 2008 - 83% (4% below basic), State - 81%

Carbondale Area School District Administration reported that 33 or 2.18% of its students were gifted in 2009.[189] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student's building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[190] Through the strategic planning process, the Superintendent must ensure that Carbondale Area School District provides a continuum of program and service options to meet the needs of all mentally gifted students for enrichment, acceleration, or both. The Carbondale Area School District gifted curriculum focuses on complex and in-depth study of major ideas, key concepts and themes that integrate knowledge within and across disciplines.[109]

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Carbondale Area School District receives 54.8% of its annual revenue from the state.[252] This exceeds some education advocates goal of the state providing 50% of district funding.[253][254]

In December 2014, the Pennsylvania Education Funding Reform Commission conducted a hearing. The commission developed a new basic education funding formula which sets a new way to distribute state basic education dollars. It abolished the practice of "hold harmless" funding, which gave districts at least the same as they got the previous school year regardless of declining enrollment. The plan became law in June 2016 (House Bill 1552).[255][256][257]

For the 2017-18 school year, Carbondale Area School District received a two percent increase to 8,704,878 in Basic Education Funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[258] The greatest increase in funding, in Lackawanna County, was awarded to Mid Valley School District a 2.8% increase.[259] Pennsylvania again increased its public education spending to a record high of $5.995 billion. It was a $100 million increase, 1.7% increase over the 2016-17 state education appropriation.[260] Additionally, the state continued to fund its Ready to Learn grants at $250 million and Special Education funding received a $25 million increase to $1.121 billion.[261] The state also paid $529,5 million to the school employee social security fund and another $2.304 billion to the teacher's pension fund, an increase of 7.6% over the state's 2016-17 payment. The state maintained its $100 million reimbursement to school districts for transportation costs. Governor Wolf had proposed cutting the funding by 50% shifting the costs to local taxpayers.[262][263]

For the 2016-17 school year, Carbondale Area School District received $8,534,917 in Basic Education Funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This was a 5.1% increase over 2015-16 funding to the District. The highest percentage of BEF increase in Lackawanna County was 5.8% awarded to Scranton School District under the state's Basic Education Funding formula. For the 2016-17 school year, Pennsylvania increased its public education spending to a record high of $5,895 billion. It was a $200 million increase, 3.51% increase over the 2015-16 appropriation.[264] The state also funded Ready to Learn grants at $250 million and Special Education funding received a $20 million increase.[265] The state also paid $492 million to the school employee social security fund and another $2.064 billion to the teacher's pension fund.[266] Statewide Conestoga Valley School District received a 13.3% increase in state BEF funding. Five PA public school districts received an increase of 10% or greater in Basic Education funding over their 2015-16 funding.

For the 2015-16 school year, Governor Tom Wolf released a partial Basic Education Funding (BEF) of $3,872,624 to Carbondale Area School District, in January 2016.[267] This was part of $10.3 billion in school funding withheld from the public schools, by the Governor since the summer of 2015.[268] The dispersement did not follow the new Basic Education Fair Funding formula which had been established by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in June 2015.[269] Ten (10) Pennsylvania school districts received no increase in Basic Education funding under Governor Wolf.[270][271] In April 2016, Governor Wolf announced his finalized dispersement of 2015-16 state Basic Education Funding. Carbondale Area School District received a 3.16% increase for a total funding of $8,003,687.[272] This is $118,623 less than the district was to receive by law under the state's Fair Funding Formula approved in 2015.[273][274] Wolf also altered the state's Ready to Learn Grant distribution. The district received another $306,338 in Ready To Learn grant which was $12,606 less than it would have received under the approved state formula for distribution.

The highest increase in funding statewide was awarded by Governor Wolf to Wilkinsburg Borough School District which got a 44.1% increase in state Basic Education Funding. The average BEF increase among the Commonwealth's 500 public school districts for 2015-16 was 2.21%. In Lackawanna County, the highest percentage increase in state funding was awarded to Old Forge School District - 3.51%. The Pennsylvania education budget is $5.93 billion for basic education, a $200 million or 3.5 percent increase over 2014-15 allocation. Another $1.08 billion was allotted for special education funding, a $30 million or 2.9 percent increase over 2014-15. Additionally, the state paid over $500 million towards school employee social security payments and over $1 billion to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).[275]

For the 2014-15 school year, Carbondale Area School District received $7,804,350 in State Basic Education funding. The district also received $247,136 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State's enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-15 Basic Education Funding.[276] The Education budget also included Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system (PSERS). In total, Pennsylvania's Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013-2014 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.[277]

For the 2013-14 school year, the Carbondale Area School District received a 1.9% increase to $7,803,609 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is 41,973$1 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the district. Additionally, Carbondale Area School District will receive $115,012 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Lackawanna County, Mid Valley School District received the highest percentage increase at 2.4%. 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.[278] 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.[279]

For the 2012-13 school year, Carbondale Area School District received $7,661,636.[280] 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. Carbondale Area School District received $115,012 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[281] 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 the 2011-12 school year, Carbondale Area School District received $7,661,220 in state Basic Education Funding.[282] Additionally, the district received $115,012 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 is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.[283] Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011.

For the 2010-11 budget year, Carbondale Area School District received a 6.24% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $8,467,455. The highest increase in state funding, among Lackawanna County school districts, was awarded to Dunmore School District at 11.88% increase. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received the 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was given to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was awarded a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.[284] 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.[285] In 2010, the district reported that 950 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

In the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.13% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $7,966,172. The highest increase in state funding, to Lackawanna County school districts, was 9.46% increase which was awarded to Scranton School District. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. 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.[286] 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.[287]

The state's Basic Education Funding to the Carbondale Area School District in 2008-09 was $6,999,344.06.[288] In 2008, the district reported that 717 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty threshold of $22,050 for a family of four. Many state and federal programs use the threshold to calculate benefits.

All Pennsylvania school districts also receive additional funding from the state through several funding allocations, including: Reimbursement of Charter School Expenditures; Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; PA Accountability Grants; and low achieving schools were eligible for Educational Assistance Program Funding. Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including: Special Education funding and Title I funding for children from low income families. In 2010, Pennsylvania spent over $24 billion for public education - local, state and federal dollars combined.[289] By 2015, Pennsylvania was spending over $27 billion on public education (local, state and federal resources combined).[290]

The state provides additional education funding to schools in the form of Accountability Block Grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses designed to improve student academic achievement. Carbondale Area School District uses its $312,172 to fund all day kindergarten for the sixth year. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding and all federal funding.[291] School Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants.[292] In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all-day kindergartens.[293] The grant program was converted to RTL grants in 2015.

Beginning in the 2014-2015 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the number of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the Districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.[294]

Carbondale Area School District received $247,136 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in 2015, in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, Accountability Block Grant funding, PreK Counts funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the district must apply to receive.

• 2016 - $318,944[295]
• 2017 - $318,944[296]

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, Mathematics) and paid for mandatory teacher training to optimize the computers' use in the classroom for improving instruction. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Carbondale Area School District administration did not apply for the grant in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district received $162,577 in funding. For the 2008–09, school year the district received a final $45,413 for a total funding of $207,990. In Lackawanna County, Scranton School District received the largest funding. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[297] 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.

Carbondale Area Elementary School successfully applied to participate and received a Science It's Elementary grant in 2008-2009. For the 2008-09 school year, the program was offered in 143 schools reaching 2,847 teachers and 66,973 students across Pennsylvania.[298] 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 was a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.[299] 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.[300] 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.[301] The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget. The grant was discontinued in 2010 by Governor Rendell due to a massive state budget.

Carbondale Area School District was awarded a $749,003 competitive literacy grant. It is to be used to improve reading skills birth through 12th grade. The district was required to develop a lengthy literacy plan, which included outreach into the community. The funds come from a Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, also referred to as the Keystones to Opportunity grant It is a five-year, competitive federal grant program designed to assist local education agencies in developing and implementing local comprehensive literacy plans. Of the 329 pre-applications by school districts reviewed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, School District was one of only 148 entities that were invited to submit a full application. In County 5 school districts and one charter school were awarded funding for one year.[302] The funds must be used for teacher training, student screening and assessment, targeted interventions for students reading below grade level and research-based methods of improving classroom instruction and practice. Districts must hire literacy coaches. The coaches work with classroom teachers to improve the teacher's literacy teaching skills. Pennsylvania was among six other states, out of the 35 that applied, to be awarded funding. Pennsylvania received $38 million through the federal program. The Department of Education reserved 5% of the grant for administration costs at the state level.

The state's EAP funding provides for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the Carbondale Area School District received $36,519.[303]

Carbondale Area School District participated in a pilot year of the state's Hybrid learning initiative. Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning uses three learning models to increase student achievement: instruction from the teacher, group activities, and self-instruction through digital content. According to state testing results, among the pilot schools, 88 percent achieved higher academic performance in hybrid classes compared to traditional classes in the same district or statewide benchmarks, 75 percent reported better academic achievement, and all of them met or exceeded academic growth.[304] In 2013-14, the state awarded $633,000 in federal Title 2A funds to accelerate teacher training in the implementation of hybrid learning programs in 50 school buildings in 34 school entities. In 2012, $1.1 million was awarded to 15 districts to launch the first hybrid pilot schools in the state that included more than 1,900 students and 48 teachers.[305] Carbondale Area School District received $17,500.

Carbondale Area School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants;[306][307] PreK Counts preschool grants; 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants; Project 720 High School Reform grants (discontinued effective with 2011-12 budget); nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

The Carbondale Area School District received $2.1 million in ARRA - Federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[308] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[309][310] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, Governor Edward Rendell and the Pennsylvania School Board Association, to use the funds for one-time expenditures like: acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.[311]

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to be used to improve the quality of teacher instructions to pupils. The goal is to provide each child in public schools with “High Quality” teachers and principals as defined by the state.[312] The funds are sent to the state Department of Education which distributes them to each school district and charter school.[313] Beginning in 2002, the federal funding committed to Title II was $3,175,000,000.

Public school district administrations must apply to the state annually for the Title II funds. In 2012-13, Carbondale Area School District received $123,396 in federal Title II funding.[314] In 2014-15, Carbondale Area School District applied for and received $118,261.[315]

The Federal government provides annual grants to schools to assist in educating immigrant children and children who are identified as limited English proficient.[316] Upon registering for school a language survey is done for all new enrollment pupils, typically in kindergarten or preschool. They identify the primary language spoken at home. This data is collected and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which in turn notifies the federal government.[317][318] Carbondale Area School District did not apply for funding in 2012 or 2013.[319]

Carbondale Area School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district up to million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[320] Several Lackawanna County school districts applied for funding. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[321] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[322] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[323]

The Carbondale Area School District School Board chose 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.[324] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise taxes above that index, unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the Pennsylvania 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.[342] With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.[343] A specific timeline for Act I Index decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[344]

In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation eliminating six of the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[345] 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.[346][347] 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 Carbondale Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[348]

For the 2017-18 budget year, Carbondale Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the District's Act 1 Index limit.[357] Statewide 356 school districts adopted a resolution to not exceed their Act I index in 2017-18. In 2017-18, all Pennsylvania public school districts were required to make a 32.85% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).[358] This was in addition to the 6.2% social security employer match payment and the Medicare match of 1.45%.[359][360]

For the 2016-17 budget year, Carbondale Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the District's Act 1 Index limit.[357] Statewide 299 school districts adopted a resolution to not exceed their Act I index in 2016-17. In 2016-17, all Pennsylvania public school districts were required to make a 30.03% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).[358] This was in addition to the 6.02% social security employer match payment.[359]

For the 2015-16 budget year, Carbondale Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget 2015-16, 310 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 187 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Regarding the pension costs exception, 172 school districts received approval to exceed the Index limit in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 119 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. No Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.[361]

For the 2014-15 budget year, Carbondale Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS).[362] For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.[363]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Carbondale Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[364]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Carbondale 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.[365]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Carbondale Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the Carbondale Area School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[344]

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.[366]

Carbondale Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 nor in 2010-11.[367][368] 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.[369]

In 2013, Carbondale Area School District's 2,571 approved homestead properties received $243.[370] The increase in amount was related to fewer residents applying for tax relief. The amount received by the district must be divided equally among all approved residences.[371]

In 2011, property tax relief for 2,631 approved residents of Carbondale Area School District was set at $237.[372] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Carbondale Area School District was $247 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,532 property owners applied for the tax relief.[373] 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 and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.[374]

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Carbondale Area School District residents who are: aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; or people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have income substantially more than $35,000, may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.[375]

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.[395]

According to Pennsylvania's Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.[396][397]

The district funds:

Junior High School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2013[398]