Central Cambria School District

Central Cambria School District is governed by nine individually elected, school board members (serve without compensation for a term of four years), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[18] The federal government controls programs it funds like: Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent regarding renewal of the employment contract.[19] Other administrator salaries are governed by a contract instituted under Act 93.

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.[20]

In 2015, Central Cambria School District ranked 171st out of 496 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[21] The ranking is based on the last 3 years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in: reading, writing, math and science and the three Keystone Exams (literature, Algebra 1, Biology I) in high school.[22] Three school districts were excluded because they do not operate high schools (Saint Clair Area School District, Midland Borough School District, Duquesne City School District). The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th. Adapted PSSA examinations are given to children in the special education programs. Writing exams were given to children in 5th and 8th grades.

Central Cambria High School is located at 204 Schoolhouse Road, Ebensburg. In 2014, enrollment was reported as 544 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 28% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 15% of pupils received special education services, while 6.8% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 32 teachers.[39] Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school is not a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, Central Cambria High School reported an enrollment of 538 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 164 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2012, the school employed 32 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 16:1.[40] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[41]

2014 School Performance Profile

Central Cambria High School achieved 74.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 87% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 68% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, only 74% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[42][43] 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%.[44]

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.[45] Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged.[46][47]

2013 School Performance Profile

Central Cambria High School achieved 83.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 81.9% on grade level. In Algebra 1, 68% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, 65% showed on grade level science understanding at the end of the course.[48] 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.[49]

AYP History

In 2012, Central Cambria High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[50] In 2011, Central Cambria High School achieved Warning AYP status.[51] From 2003 through 2010, Central Cambria High School achieved AYP status each school year.[52] Effective with 2013, AYP status is no longer reported for Pennsylvania public schools.

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.[53] 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.[54]

11th Grade Reading:

• 2012 – 79% on grade level, (6% below basic). State – 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[55]
• 2011 – 71% (14% below basic). State – 69.1%[56]
• 2010 – 76% (14% below basic). State – 66%[57]
• 2009 – 73% (12% below basic). State – 65%[58]
• 2008 – 81% (9% below basic). State – 65%[59]

11th Grade Math:

• 2012 – 71% on grade level (17% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[60]
• 2011 – 68% (15% below basic). State – 60.3%[61]
• 2010 – 59% (23% below basic). State – 59%[62]
• 2009 – 54% (27% below basic). State – 56%[63]
• 2008 – 60% (17% below basic). State – 56%[64]

11th Grade Science:

• 2012 – 55% on grade level (10% below basic). State – 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[65]
• 2011 – 46% (10% below basic). State – 40%[66]
• 2010 – 44% (11% below basic). State – 39%
• 2009 – 39% (12% below basic). State – 40%[67]
• 2008 – 36% (14% below basic). State – 39%[68]
• 2007 – students field tested. Results withheld from the public by PDE.

Central Cambria Middle School is located at. In 2014, enrollment was pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 42% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 14.6% of pupils received special education services, while 5% of pupils were identified as gifted.[94] According to a 2014 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[95]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, the Central Cambria Middle School reported an enrollment of 415 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 170 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 30 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.[96] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[97]

2014 School Performance Profile

Central Cambria Middle School achieved 77 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – only 77% were on grade level. In Algebra 1/Math, 74% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Science, just 69% of 8th graders showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 74% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[98]

2013 School Performance Profile

Central Cambria Middle School achieved 77.9 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, just 77% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 81.75% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 66% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 81% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[99] 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.

AYP History

In 2003 through 2012, Central Cambria Middle School achieved AYP status each school year.[100]

PSSA Results:

In the Spring of each school year, sixth and 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.[101] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.[102] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[103] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards – Mathematics.[104]

8th Grade Science:

• 2012 – 60% on grade level (18% below basic). State – 59%[111]
• 2011 – 61% (21% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 – 52% (23% below basic). State – 57%[112]
• 2009 – 59% (23% below basic). State – 55%[113]
• 2008 – 60% (15% below basic). State – 52%[114]
• 2007 – tested, but results not made public.

Cambria Elementary School is located at 212 Schoolhouse Road, Ebensburg. In 2014, Cambria Elementary School's enrollment was 498 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 35.8% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 14% of the pupils receive special education services, while 3% are identified as gifted.[115] 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.[116] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, Cambria Elementary School enrollment was 509 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 171 pupils receiving a free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 32.8 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 15:1.[117] 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.[118] The school provided full-day kindergarten to all its pupils in 2010.[119]

2014 School Performance Profile

Cambria Elementary School achieved a score of 84.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013–14, only 69% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, just 66% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 77.7% were on grade level (3rd–5th grades). In 4th grade science, 84% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 86% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[120]

2013 School Performance Profile

Cambria Elementary School achieved a score of 88.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012–13, only 75% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 83% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 80% were on grade level (3rd–5th grades). In 4th grade science, 82% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 81% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[121] 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.

AYP status history

From 2003 through 2012, Cambria Elementary School achieved AYP status each school year.[122]

Since 2003, the district has provided full-day kindergarten[123] Proponents of full-day kindergarten claim it will reduce special education numbers and it will raise primary student academic achievement especially in reading and math.[124] Those achievement outcomes have not been realized in the Central Cambria School District. Reading achievement in particular has not improved at CES.[125]

PSSA History

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd–8th.[126] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[127][128][129] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.[130]

4th Grade Science

• 2012 – 90%, (0% below basic). State – 82%
• 2011 – 83%, (5% below basic). State – 82.9%
• 2010 – 92%, (1% below basic). State – 81%
• 2009 – 93%, (1% below basic). State – 83%
• 2008 – 90%, (1% below basic). State – 81%

Jackson Elementary School is located at 3704 William Penn Avenue, Johnstown. In 2014, the school's enrollment was 243 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 48% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 10% of the pupils receive special education services, while 2% are identified as gifted.[136] 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.[137] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, enrollment was 252 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 115 pupils receiving a free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 22 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 11:1.[138] 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.[139] Jackson Elementary School provided full-day kindergarten to all its pupils.[140]

2014 School Performance Profile

Jackson Elementary School achieved a score of 83.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013–14, only 77% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 86% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 76% were on grade level (3rd–5th grades). In 4th grade science, 95% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 74% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[141]

2013 School Performance Profile

Jackson Elementary School achieved a score of 80.8 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012–13, only 73% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 82.5% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 78.5% were on grade level (3rd–5th grades). In 4th grade science, 97% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 61% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[142] 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.

PSSA results

4th Grade Science

• 2012 – 87%, (2% below basic). State – 82%
• 2011 – 90%, (8% below basic). State – 82.9%
• 2010 – 85%, (2% below basic). State – 81%
• 2009 – 86%, (5% below basic). State – 83%
• 2008 – 95%, (0% below basic). State – 81%

According to Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment reports, there were 1,912 students enrolled in K-12 in 2004–05 school year at Central Cambria School District. There were 180 students in the Class of 2005. The district's class of 2010 had 154 students. Enrollment is projected to decline to 1,737 students by 2017.[149] In 2008, the Central Cambria School District administrative costs were $717.18 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[150] A study of Pennsylvania public school spending, conducted by Standard and Poor's, examined the consolidation of small public school district in Pennsylvania in 2007. The study found that consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings which varied by district.[151] The study examined several administration consolidation scenarios for Central Cambria School District. A consolidation with Blacklick Valley School District would achieve a savings of $2,081,144 per year in 2004. A consolidation with Conemaugh Valley School District would save $1,597,645 per year. A consolidation with Ferndale Area School District would save $1,838,687 a year.[152]

According to a 2009 school district administration consolidation proposal by Governor Edward G. Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to reduce property taxes.[153] Consolidation of two central administrations into one would not require the closing of any schools. The Governor's proposal called for the savings to be redirected to improving lagging reading and science achievement, to enriching the academic programs or to reducing residents' property taxes.[154] In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion without forcing the consolidation of any schools.[155]

From 2000 through 2010, rural Pennsylvania public school district enrollment decreased by 8 percent.[156] In 2010, there were 726,417 children in rural Pennsylvania, or 21 percent of the total rural population. From 2000 to 2010, the number of children in rural counties decreased 7 percent. The decline in the number of children impacted most rural counties with 42 of Pennsylvania's 48 rural counties experiencing a decline. Cameron County, Elk County and Sullivan County experienced the greatest declines, with a decrease of more than 21 percent in all three counties.[157] Over the past 50 years (1960 to 2010), rural Pennsylvania saw steady decline in both the number and proportion of residents under 18 years old. In 1960, 1.06 million rural residents, or 35 percent of the rural population, were children.

Pennsylvania's birth rate has been declining for two decades as has Cambria County birth rate. According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in 1990, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's birth rate was 171,053 and the live birth rate in Cambria County was 1,897.[158] In 2000, Pennsylvania's birth rate was 145,874 with the live birth rate in Cambria County declining to 1,569.[159] Finally, in 2011, the State's birth rate declined further to 142,021 and Cambria County's birth rate declined to 1,374.[160] From 2000 to 2009, the number of babies born in rural counties declined 5 percent.[161] Over the past 50 years (1960 to 2010), rural Pennsylvania saw a steady decline in both the number and proportion of residents under 18 years old. In 1960, 1.06 million rural residents, or 35 percent of the rural population, were children.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[162] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[163] Pennsylvania had 2,361 public school districts in 1959. The state compelled mergers reducing the number to 505 by 1980. Mergers slowed through the 1980s after a 1981 court order desegregated and combined the Edgewood, General Braddock, Swissvale, Churchill and Turtle Creek districts into the Woodland Hills district.[164]

In December 2013, the district administration reported that 248 pupils or 14.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 41.5% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.[165] In December 2009, the district administration reported that 286 pupils or 15.9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 54% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.[166] Special education services in the Commonwealth are provided to students from ages three years to 21 years old. In the 2010–2011 school year, the total student enrollment was more than 1.78 million students with approximately 275,000 students eligible for special education services. Among these students 18,959 were identified with mental retardation and 21,245 students with autism.[167] The largest group of students are identified as Specific Learning Disabilities 126,026 students (46.9 percent) and Speech or Language Impairments with 43,542 students (16.2 percent).

In 2007, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak testified before the Pennsylvania House Education Committee regarding full-day kindergarten. He claimed that districts which offered the program would see a significant decrease in special education students due to early identification and early intervention. He asserted the high cost of full-day kindergarten would be recouped by districts in lower special education costs.[168] Central Cambria School District has seen a minimal decrease in the percentage of special education students it serves, yielding no savings.

To comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, Central Cambria School District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress.[169] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration.[170] When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the district seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the district or contact the district's Special Education Department.[171][172] The IDEA 2004 requires each school entity to publish a notice to parents, in newspapers or other media, including the student handbook and website regarding the availability of screening and intervention services and how to access them.

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. This funding was in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.[173] The Special Education funding structure is through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and state appropriations. IDEA funds are appropriated to the state on an annual basis and distributed through intermediate units (IUs) to school districts, while state funds are distributed directly to the districts. Total funds that are received by school districts are calculated through a formula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversees four appropriations used to fund students with special needs: Special Education; Approved Private Schools; Pennsylvania Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Early Intervention. The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district's students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student's needs accrue the same level of costs.[174] Over identification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.[175] The state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[176] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.[177]

The Central Cambria School District received a $1,040,525 supplement for special education services in 2010.[178] For the 2011–12, 2012–13 and 2013–14 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010–11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[179][180] For the 2014–2015 school year, Central Cambria School District received an increase to $1,056,170 from the Commonwealth for special education funding.[181] Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The district must apply for this added funding.

In 2013, the state's Special Education Funding Reform Commission provided a report on the state of funding for special education in the Commonwealth.[182] Funding for special education programs is borne largely on a local basis at 60%, with the state contributing $1 billion or 30% and the federal government providing 10% of the funding.

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

Under Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.[186]

In 2013, the district employed 131 teachers with the average teacher salary in Central Cambria School District was $48,570 a year.[187] The district reported a top salary of $113,549.[188][189] Central Cambria School District cut most part-time staff shifts to under 30 hours per week to avoid the prohibitive additional costs of providing health insurance under the PPACA.[190] Central Cambria School District teacher and administrator retirement benefits are equal to at least 2.00% x Final Average Salary x Total Credited Service. (Some teachers benefits utilize a 2.50% benefit factor.)[191] After 40 years of service, a teacher can retire with 100% of the average salary of their final 3 years of employment. According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.[192]

In 2013, the Central Cambria School District and teachers' union entered into fact finding as a part of contract negotiations.[193] Issues included early retirement early buyout, paid days off (sick, bereavement, personal, emergency). The union rejected the report in July 2013.[194]

In 2009, the district reported employing over 140 teachers and administrators with a top salary of $111.862.[195] The teacher's work day is with days in the contract year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.[196]

Administrative spending Central Cambria School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $717.18 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was in Greater Nanticoke Area School District which spent $398 per pupil.[197] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association collects and maintains statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania.

Middle school building The building, at the corner of North Center Street and Highland Avenue, opened in 1929 as Ebensburg-Cambria High School, and later became Central Cambria Middle School. The building was in use through 2011 until the district built a new middle school behind the high school in Cambria Township.[198] The district spent $172,896 to demolish the building, after being unable to sell the building.[199]

Per-pupil spending In 2008, the Central Cambria School District administration reported that per-pupil spending was $11,572 which ranked 331st among Pennsylvania's then 501 public school districts. In 2010, the district's per-pupil spending had decreased to $10,472.83.[200] In 2013, the per-pupil spending was reported as $11,008.42.[201] In 2011, Pennsylvania's per-pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States.[202] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.[203]

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000–01.[204] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.[205] Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008–09.[206] Pennsylvania's total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.[207]

Reserves In 2008, the Central Cambria School District reported a balance of $78,500, in its unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $3,037,754.[208] In 2010, Central Cambria School District Administration reported an increase to $4,139,793 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The district also reported $2,992,911 in its unreserved-designated fund in 2010. By 2013, the district reported $5,291,325 in its Assigned Fund and $5,695,834 in its Unassigned Fund balance. Pennsylvania public school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.[209] In 2005, the total reserve funds held by Pennsylvania public school districts was $1.9 billion.[210] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.[211][212][213]

Audit In November 2013, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the School Board and the district's administration.[214]

Tuition Students who live in the district's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Central Cambria School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the district's schools. The 2013 tuition rates for Central Cambria are Elementary School – $7,360.81, High School – $7,926.61.[215]

Central Cambria School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 0.5%,[216] a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a small amount, generally 10% of its budget from the federal government.[217] Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Interest earnings on accounts also provide nontax income to the district. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of the individual's personal wealth.[218] The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both are free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.[219]

By law Central Cambria School District is mandated to have a Student Wellness Policy dealing with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[310]

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.[311] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

The district offers both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals.[312] The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[313] Additionally, the district works with First Student bus company to offer a weekend backpack program which provides snacks to children enrolled in the free lunch program.[314]

In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.[315] To comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch.[316] The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandates that districts raise their full pay lunch prices every year until the price of non-subsidized lunches equals the amount the federal government reimburses schools for free meals. That subsidy in 2013–2014 was $2.93.

In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day.[317] The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.[318][319]

Central Cambria School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health's extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance.[320][321] Nurses also monitor each child's weight.[322] The nurses provide a voluntary fluoride program to children in the elementary schools. The program is not available to children living in Ebensburg Borough due to the community providing fluoride in the drinking water.[323]

Health eTools program

Central Cambria School District participated in Highmark Foundation's Healthy High 5 Health eTools for Schools grant which enabled mobile data collection of pertinent health and physical fitness screening data on students K-12 in a database held by InnerLink, Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.[324] Health eTools for Schools also provided interdisciplinary research-based curriculum in nutrition, physical education and physical activity to participating districts. The program was discontinued in 2013.[325]

The district offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, publicly funded sports program.[326] Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the Central Cambria School District, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[327]

According to PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Act 126 of 2014, all volunteer coaches and all those who assist in student activities, must have criminal background checks. Like all school district employees, they must also attend an anti child abuse training once every three years.[328][329][330]

• Ron Kostelnik (class of 1957), NFL defensive tackle with Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Colts; starter in first Super Bowl game
• Mike Holtz (class of 1990), Major League Baseball relief pitcher with California Angels (1996), Anaheim Angels (1997–2001), Oakland Athletics (2002), and San Diego Padres (2002)

• Central Cambria School District
• Penna. Inter-Scholastic Assn.