Clearfield Area School District

In 2012, Clearfield Area School District declined to District Improvement AYP status due to low students achievement in reading and mathematics and a low graduation rate.[33] In 2011, Clearfield Area School District was in Warning status in Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.[34] Clearfield Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2006 to 2010.[35]

• 2005 - Making Progress in School Improvement Level 1 status
• 2004 - School Improvement Level 1 status
• 2003 - Warning status

In 2013, Clearfield Area School District's graduation rate rose to 87.5%.[36] In 2012, Clearfield Area School District's graduation rate was 78%.[37] In 2011, the Clearfield Area School District's graduation rate declined further to 74%.[38] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Clearfield Area School District's rate was 74% for 2010.[39]

• 2010 - 84% [40]
• 2009 - 85% [41]
• 2008 - 89% [42]
• 2007 - 87% [43]

Clearfield Area High School is located at 2831 Washington Avenue, Clearfield. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 782 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 49.8% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 17% of pupils received special education services, while 3% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 58 teachers.[44] Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

In 2010, the Clearfield Area High School had 891 pupils enrolled in grades 9th through 12th, with 390 qualified for a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 64 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1. The school is a federal Title 1 school.[45]

2013 School Performance Profile

Clearfield Area High School achieved 68.9 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 68% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 63.7% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 45% showed on grade level science understanding.[46] 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.[47]

AYP history

In 2012, Clearfield Area High School declined further to "Corrective Action II 2nd Year" AYP status. In 2011, Clearfield Area High School declined to "Corrective Action II 1st Year" status due to chronic, low student academic achievement and a failure to meet the state's minimum graduation rate.[48]

• 2010 - declined to "Corrective Action I" due to continuing low student academic achievement.[49] The school is eligible for federal grants to improve achievement.
• 2009 - "Making Progress: in School Improvement II".[50] The Clearfield Area High School administration was required to develop a School Improvement Plan that focused on raising student academic achievement.[51] The administration was required to submit to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for approval. Additionally, 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 the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the district. The school is eligible for federal grants to improve achievement.
• 2008 - declined to "School Improvement II" level due to chronic low student academic achievement[52]
• 2007 - Making progress, "School Improvement I"
• 2006 - declined to "School Improvement I" due to lagging academic achievement [53]
• 2005 - declined to "Warning" AYP status
• 2004 - achieved AYP status

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.[54]

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.[55]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 76% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[56]
• 2011 - 61% (21% below basic). State - 69.1% [57]
• 2010 - 64% (20% below basic). State - 66%.[58]
• 2009 - 65% (16% below basic). State - 65% [59]
• 2008 - 59% (21% below basic). State - 65% [60]
• 2007 - 61% (21% below basic). State - 65% [61]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 56% on grade level (22% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[62]
• 2011 - 54% (26% below basic). State - 60.3% [63]
• 2010 - 49% (24% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 55% (23% below basic), State - 56%
• 2008 - 48%, State - 56%
• 2007 - 47%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 37% on grade level (16% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[64]
• 2011 - 35% (17% below basic). State - 40% [65]
• 2010 - 39% (19% below basic). State - 40%
• 2009 - 32%, State - 40%
• 2008 - 31%, State - 39%

Clearfield Area 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.[66] Clarion University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

Clearfield Area High School offers a dual enrollment program.[67] 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 at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. Mount Aloysius College and Penn Highlands Community College are open to the students. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[68] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[69] For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $5,510 for the program.

The Clearfield Area School Board has determined that a high school student must earn 24.50 credits in order to graduate, including English 4 credits, Social Studies 3.5 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Driver Ed. Theory .25 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Life 101 0.25, Health 0.5 credit, Computer 0.50 credit and 6.5 elective credits.[70]

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.[71]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating classes of 2017, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work by passing the Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature Keystone Exams. Students will take the exam at the end of the course.[72][73] The PSSAs for 11th grade reading, math and science are discontinued effective 2013-14 school year. 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.[74] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

In 2013, Clearfield Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 459. The Math average score was 458. The Writing average score was 441. 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.[75]

In 2012, 101 Clearfield Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 463. The Math average score was 481. The Writing average score was 453. 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, 103 Clearfield Area School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 457. The Math average score was 475. The Writing average score was 431.[76] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among state with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[77] 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.[78]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education 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.[79]

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.

In 2013, Clearfield Area High School offered five Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The student pays the fee for the exam which was $89 per test per pupil in 2012. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. High schools give credits towards graduation to students who take the school's AP class. At Clearfield Area High School, 2.7% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[80]

Bradford Township Elementary School is located at 50 Bigler Ave, Bigler. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 133 pupils in grades kindergarten, through 4th with 54% of pupils receiving federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 26% of the pupils receive special education services, while none are identified as gifted.[108] 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.[109] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In 2010, it provided grades kindergarten through 4th. It served 145 students with 13.70 teachers. Eighty one pupils qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch due to poverty. 141 pupils were white with 2 Asian/Pacific Islander students.[110] In both 2011 and 2012, Bradford Township Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2012, 70% of the 3rd and 4th grade students were reading on grade level and 94% were on grade level in mathematics with 67% advanced. In 4th grade, 93% were on grade level in science.[111] In 2011, 68% of the 3rd and 4th grade students were reading on grade level and 87% were on grade level in mathematics. In 4th grade, 73% were on grade level in science.[112][113] The school will be permanently closed at the end of the 2013 school year. Students will be moved to the Clearfield Elementary School

Centre Elementary School is located at 2075 Highview Road, Clearfield. In 2013, the school's enrollment was just 136 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 55.8% of pupils receiving federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 16.9% of the pupils received special education services, while less than 1% were identified as gifted.[114] 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 provided full-day kindergarten.[115] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In 2010, Centre Elementary School provided grades kindergarten through 4th. In 2010, it served 133 students with 12 teachers. Eighty one pupils qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch due to poverty. 129 pupils were white.[116] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[117]

2013 school performance profile

Centre Elementary School achieved a score of 66.9 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 50% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, just 40% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 76% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, just 66% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding.[118]

AYP history

In 2012 Centre Elementary School declined to "Warning" AYP status. In 2011, Centre Elementary School also achieved AYP status. In 2012, just 65% of the 3rd and 4th grade students were reading on grade level, while 82% were on grade level in mathematics. In 4th grade science, only 68% of the students were on grade level.[119] In 2011, only 69% of the 3rd and 4th grade students at Centre Elementary School were reading on grade level and 87% were on grade level in mathematics. In 4th grade science, only 72% of the students were on grade level.[120][121] The school was permanently closed at the end of the 2013 school year. Students were moved to the Clearfield Elementary School.

Girard-Goshen Elementary School is located at 8962 Gillingham Road, Frenchville. It provided grades kindergarten through 4th. In 2010, it served 78 students with 9 teachers. 54 pupils qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch due to poverty. 76 pupils were white.[122] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[123]

AYP history

In both 2011 and 2012, Girard-Goshen Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2012, only 69% of the 3rd and 4th grade students were reading on grade level and 96% were on grade level in mathematics with 65% achieving advanced. In 4th grade science, 100% of the students were on grade level.[124] In 2011, 82% of the 3rd and 4th grade students were reading on grade level and 82% were on grade level in mathematics. In 4th grade science, 92% of the students were on grade level.[125] Report Card 2010 The school was permanently closed at the end of the 2012 school year. Students were moved to the Clearfield Elementary School.[126]

The District Administration reported that 75 or 2.74% of its students were gifted in 2009.[150] 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.[151]

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Clearfield Area School District receives 52.1% of its annual revenue from the state.[172]

For the 2014-15 school year, Clearfield Area School District will receive $12,062,264 in State Basic Education funding. The district will also receive $381,448 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State's enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-2015 Basic Education Funding.[173] The Education budget also includes 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.[174]

In the 2013-2014 school year, Clearfield Area School District received a 1.4% increase or $11,891,645 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $171,214 more than its 2012-2013 state BEF to the district. Additionally, Clearfield Area School District received $215,324 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Clearfield County, Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 6.1%. 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.[175] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent.[176] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[177]

For the 2012-13 school year, Clearfield Area School District received $10,625,490.[178] 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 2011-2012 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program. Clearfield Area School District received $215,324 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.[179] 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.

For the 2011-12 school year, Clearfield Area School District received $11,891,645 in state Basic Education Funding.[180][181] Additionally, the district will receive $215,325 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. 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.[182] In 2010, the district reported that 1,502 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to their family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 budget year, Clearfield Area School District received a 3.36% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $12,451,664.84. Dubois Area School District received a 7.76% increase, which was the highest increase in state funding among Clearfield County school districts. One hundred fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received the 2% base increase for budget year 2010-11. The highest increase in the state was awarded to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was given a 23.65% increase in state basic education funding.[183]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.71% increase in Basic Education Funding for Clearfield Area School District a total of $12,451,665. The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $11,891,645.31. The highest percentage of state funding increase in Clearfield County went to Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District which received a 5.57% increase in 2009-10. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received an increase of 22.31% which was the highest in the commonwealth. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. Ninety school districts received the base 2% increase.[184] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.[185]

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. Clearfield Area School District uses its $584,444 to fund all day kindergarten for the seventh year. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding and all federal funding.[186] Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants.[187] In 2009-10, the state provided $271.4 million in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million went to providing all-day kindergartens.[188]

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 Clearfield Area School District received $63,199.[189]

Clearfield Area School District was awarded a $70,258 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, Clearfield Area School District was one of only 148 entities that were invited to submit a full application. In Clearfield County 5 school districts were awarded funding for one year.[190] 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 enhance their 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 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 teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Clearfield Area School District was denied funding, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district was again, denied funding. For the 2008-09, school year the district received a $148,208. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[191]

The federal government provides both annual funding for schools targeted to low income and special education students and also many grants the school district administration must apply for, which bring substantial additional funding.

Clearfield Area School District received an extra $2,513,788 in ARRA - federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[192] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.[193] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised 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.

In 2009 the district reported having 1,340 students participating in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program due to low family income.[194]

In the summer of 2011, the Clearfield Area School District administration did not apply for School Improvement Grant funding, from the federal government (over $9.9 million available). The grant stipulates the funds be used for improving student achievement using one of four federally dictated strategies. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or closure of failing schools. The Pennsylvania Education Secretary awarded $66 Million to reform Pennsylvania's lowest-achieving schools in August 2011. The funding is for three years.[195]

For the 2010-11 school year, Clearfield Area School District administration did not apply for a School Improvement Grant. It was eligible for funding due to the chronic, low achievement at the high school.[196]

Clearfield Area School District officials failed to apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over $1 million in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[197] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[198] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[199] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[200]

In 2010, the district applied for and will receive an extra $1.965,000 million in federal stimulus funding for construction projects.[201] This funding is from the federal Qualified School Construction Bond Program. In order to qualify the school district's 2007-2008 equalized millage must be greater than or equal to 19.0 or the school district must be in a county designated distressed for 2010 by the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the school district's October 2008 Free and Reduced Lunch percentage must be greater than or equal to 45 percent; or the school district's average daily membership must have increased between 2002–2003 and 2007-2008 by more than 500 or by more than 10 percent. Additionally, 100 percent of available project proceeds must be used for the construction, rehabilitation, or repair of public school facilities, equipment for these facilities, or related site acquisition. In Pennsylvania, 46 school districts received more than $600 million in bonds made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Pennsylvania's allocation for the Qualified School Construction Bonds was $602 million – the sixth largest allocation in the nation. Under the program, the federal government pays essentially 100 percent of the interest on the QSCB bonds, which are issued under the recovery act's Build America Bonds program.[202]

The Clearfield 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.[203] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

In the Spring of 2014, the Clearfield Area School Board increased property tax to 92.8400 mills for the 2014-2015 school year.[204] A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. On the local level, Pennsylvania district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[205]

The average yearly property tax paid by Clearfield County residents amounts to about 2.83% of their yearly income. Clearfield County ranked 707th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[215]

According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-2000 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-2009 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.[216] The average yearly property tax paid by Clearfield County residents amounts to about 2.83% of their yearly income. Clearfield County is ranked 707th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[217]

In 2010, Reliant Energy appealed its tax assessment. In the settlement, the power plant will have a market value of $10 million in 2008 and 2009, down $5 million from the current market value at which the plant had been taxed.[218] The assessed value ratio will be 17.4 percent in 2008 and 17.6 percent in 2009, giving the plant an assessed value of $1,740,000 in 2008 and $1,760,000 in 2009. The reduced value means the school district will lose about $73,000 in tax revenue from the power plant.

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[219] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[220] The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[221][222]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Clearfield Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[223]

For the 2014-15 budget year, Clearfield 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).[228] 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.[229]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Clearfield Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. In 2013-14, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 16.93% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS). 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 pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[230]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Clearfield Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: special education costs and teacher pension costs. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[231]

For the 2011-12 school year, Clearfield Area School Board applied for multiple exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index, including pension costs, maintenance of selected revenue sources, and maintenance of local tax revenue permitting the school board to raise taxes 4.2949 mills. Each year the Clearfield 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.[232]

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.[233]

The Clearfield Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2011.[234] For 2009-10 school budget, the board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Index.[235] 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.[236]

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Clearfield Area School District was set per approved permanent primary residence.[237] The property tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres (40,000 m²) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Clearfield County, 70% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[238] Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $641 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[239] Chester-Upland School District was given $632 in 2009. This was the second year they were the top recipient.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have income substantially greater than $35,000, may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.[240]

Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).[241]

The district funds:

Middle School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2012 [244]