Connellsville Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania

Connellsville Township is in northern Fayette County and is bordered to the south and west by the Youghiogheny River, the city of Connellsville, and the borough of South Connellsville. Elevations range from 862 feet (263 m) above sea level in the northwest corner of the township along the Youghiogheny at Broadford, to 2,320 feet (710 m) along the eastern border of the township at the crest of Chestnut Ridge. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.50 square miles (29.78 km²), of which 11.35 square miles (29.39 km²) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km²), or 1.32%, is water.[3]

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission[5] provides extensive 2010 Census data regarding Connellsville Township residents.[6]

As of the census of 2010, Connellsville Township resident population had declined to 2,391 people, 1,034 households, and 705 families residing in the township. The population density was 211 people per square mile (89.8/km²). There were 1,093 housing units at an average density of 102.3/sq mi (39.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98% White, 0.8% African American, 0.2% American Indian & Alaska Native and 0% Asian, 0.04%.

The median income a family was $50,655. Males had a median income of $41,289 versus $26,350 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,706. About 18.0% of families and 21% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23% of those under age 18 and 19.0% of those age 64 or over.[7]

2000 census data

As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 2,483 people, 1,032 households, and 725 families residing in the township. The population density was 232.5 people per square mile (89.8/km²). There were 1,093 housing units at an average density of 102.3/sq mi (39.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 99.07% White, 0.60% African American, 0.08% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.12% of the population.

There were 1,032 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $32,740, and the median income for a family was $35,404. Males had a median income of $29,095 versus $20,685 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,860. About 13.0% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Map of Fayette County, Pennsylvania public school districts showing Connellsville Area School District in orange

Residents of Connellsville Township may attend the local, public schools operated by Connellsville Area School District which provides full day kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2015, the Connellsville Area School District's enrollment declined to 4,321 students.[15] In 2011, Connellsville Area School District enrollment was 4,896 pupils.[16] Connellsville Area School District operates: Connellsville Area Senior High School (9th-12th), Connellsville Area Junior High School (7th-8th), and eight elementary schools including Connellsville Township Elementary School which is located on Rock Ridge Road in Connellsville, PA. The District also operates its own career tech school called Connellsville Area Career & Technology Center.

In 2015, Connellsville Area Senior High School ’s graduation rate was 69.75%.[17] Connellsville Area School District ranked 401st out of 493 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[18] 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.[19]

In 2012, Connellsville Area School District declined to District Improvement II Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to missing nearly every academic metric measured in reading and mathematics.[20] In 2011, the District was in Making Progress: in District Improvement I AYP status. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the District administration to develop a plan to raise student academic achievement.[21]

Connellsville Township Elementary School

Connellsville Township Elementary School is located at 730 Rockridge Road. In 2015, Connellsville Township Elementary School's enrollment was just 132 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 64% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 16.6% of the pupils receive special education services, while 3% are identified as gifted.[22] 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.[23] The school is a federally designated Title I school.

In October 2015, Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale reported that several schools in the Connellsville Area School District are among the 561 academically challenged schools that have been overlooked by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[24][25] Connellsville Township Elementary School was on the list. DePasquale also reported the Pennsylvania Department of Education failed to take any action to remediate the poorly performing schools to raise student academic achievement or to provide them with targeted professional assistance.[26]

2015 School Performance Profile

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 62% of 5th grade students at Connellsville Township Elementary School were on grade level in reading on the PSSAs given in April 2015. In mathematics, 50% of 5th grade students showed on grade level skills. No fifth grade writing scores were reported. In 4th grade, 35% were on grade level in reading, while 21% showed on grade level math skills. In science, 63% of fourth graders showed on grade level understanding. Among third (3rd) graders, just 21% were on grade level in reading and 22% were on grade level in mathematics. Among 6th graders, 77% were on grade level in reading and 54% were on grade level in mathematics.[27] 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.[28]

AYP status history

In 2012, Connellsville Township Elementary School achieved Adequate YEarly Progress (AYP) status.[29] In 2012, only 62% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 72% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 41% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 92% of the pupils were on grade level.[30] In 2010 and 2011, Connellsville Township Elementary School achieved AYP status.[31] In 2011, 56% of students are reading on grade level. Math 64% of students on grade level.[32]

Connellsville Township residents may also apply to attend any of the Commonwealth's 13 public, cyber charter schools (in 2013) at no additional cost to the parents. The resident’s public school district is required to pay the charter school and cyber charter school tuition for residents who attend these public schools.[33][34] The tuition rate that Connellsville Area School District must pay was $9,558.54 in 2013.[35]

Intermediate Unit #1 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes Connellsville Township. Early screening, special education services, speech and hearing therapy, autistic support, preschool classes and many other services like driver education are available. Services for children during the preschool years are provided, without cost to their families, when the child is determined to meet eligibility requirements. Intermediate units receive taxpayer funding: through subsidies paid by member school districts; through direct charges to users for some services; through the successful application for state and federal competitive grants and through private grants.[36]

• Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewage Authority