Hollidaysburg Area School District

In 2011, the graduation rate at Hollidaysburg Area School District was 96%.[21] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School's rate was 96.92% for 2010.[22]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 94.74%[23]
• 2009 - 94%[24]
• 2008 - 90%[25]
• 2007 - 90.8%[26]

Hollidaysburg Area High School is located at 1510 North Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 901 pupils in grades 10th through 12th, with 225 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 65.85 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[27] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[28]

In 2011, Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School declined to Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[29] In 2010, the High School achieved AYP status under No CHild Left Behind.

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 81% on grade level, (10% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[30]
• 2010 - 80% (6% below basic). State - 66%[31]
• 2009 - 68% (15% below basic). State - 65%[32]
• 2008 - 76% (9% below basic). State - 65%[33]
• 2007 - 68% (17% below basic). State - 65%[34]

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 73% on grade level (11% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[35]
• 2010 - 78% (12% below basic). State - 59%[36]
• 2009 - 61% (20% below basic). State - 56%.[37]
• 2008 - 68% (14% below basic). State - 56%[38]
• 2007 - 62% (17% below basic). State - 53%[39]

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 53% on grade level (8% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.[40]
• 2010 - 40% (8% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 48% (11% below basic). State - 40%[41]
• 2008 - 52% (6% below basic). State - 39%[42]

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 11% of the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[43] Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years.[44] Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

From January to June 2011, 221 Hollidaysburg Area students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 510. The Math average score was 518. The Writing average score was 491.[45] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[46] 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.[47]

In 2012, Holidaysburg Area Senior High School was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Silver-level high school in a nationwide school ranking.[48] The study was conducted by American Institutes for Research, which examined how many students attained performance levels that exceed statistical expectations given the school's relative level of student poverty, as measured by state accountability test scores for all the school's students in the core subjects of reading and math. The study also examined the success rate for the school's least advantaged student groups (e.g., black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students) that exceed state averages. The study included 752 high schools in Pennsylvania, including traditional public schools, public charter schools and public magnet schools.[49] In Pennsylvania, 136 public high schools achieved a Bronze rating in 2012; 49 achieved a silver rating and 7 received a gold rating. The highest ranking went to Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in the School District of Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

The School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 27 units to graduate, including: Mathematics 4 units, Communications - 4 units, social science 4 units, science - 4 units Computer Science - 1 unit, Physical Education 2 units, Health 2 units, Humanities 1 unit and electives 5 units.[50] Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

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.[51]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2017, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. 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.[52] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School is located at 1000 Hewit Street, Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 839 pupils in grades 7th through 9th, with 235 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 65 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[53] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[54]

In 2010 and 2011, Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School achieved AYP status.[55]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 64% on grade level (19% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 - 61% (21% below basic). State – 57%
• 2009 - 61% (16% below basic). State - 55%
• 2008 - 65% (12% below basic), State - 52%
• 2007 - tested, but results not made public.

Charles W. Longer Elementary School is located at 1320 Union St., Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 354 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 165 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 26 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[61] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, most of Longer teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind, with the exception of 1 teacher who has an emergency certification.[62] In both 2010 and 2011, Charles W. Longer Elementary School achieved AYP status.[63] In 2011, 84% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 91% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 63% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 98% of the pupils were on grade level.[64]

Foot of Ten Elementary School is located at 450 Foot of Ten Rd., Duncansville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 529 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 144 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 37 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1.[65] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[66] In 2010 and 2011, Foot of Ten Elementary School achieved AYP status.[67] In 2011, 81% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In mathematics, 88% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 58% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 89% of the pupils were on grade level.[68]

Frankstown Elementary School is located at 2463 Reservoir Road, Hollidaysburg. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 678 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 192 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 46 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[69] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[70] In 2011, Frankstown Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2010, the school was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[71] In 2011, only 85% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 89% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 62% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 92% of the pupils were on grade level with 58% advanced.[72]

Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School was located at 1160 Municipal Drive, Duncansville. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 210 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 100 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 19 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 11:1.[73] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[74] In 2010 and 2011, Allegheny Number 1 Elementary School achieved AYP status.[75] In 2011, 83% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 6th. In math, 90% of the students in 3rd through 6th grades were on grade level and 66% scored advanced. In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils were on grade level, with 60% advanced.[76] The School was closed at the end of the 2012 school year due to dilapidated building and low enrollment. The district administration claimed it will save $690,000 in building and staff costs. Repairs were estimated to cost between $3 to $5 million. In September 2012, the US Doe announced the school achieved Blue Ribbon School recognition. The school was nominated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The District Administration reported that 147 or 3.98% of its students were gifted in 2009. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted.[85] 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.[86][87]

For the 2012–13 school year, the district will receive $11,401,110.[104] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 includes $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which is an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. The state also provides $100 million for the Accountability Block grant. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[105] This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010–11 school year.

In 2011–12, the district received a $11,239,519 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[106][107] Additionally, the School District received $161,591 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount was a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011.[108] 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.[109]

In the 2010-2011 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 4.26% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $12,085,845. Among the districts in Blair County, the highest increase went to Hollidaysburg Area School District. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in 2010-11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding.[110] The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even where enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided Hollidaysburg Area School District a 3.14% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $11,591,944. Among the districts in Blair County, the highest increase went to Spring Cove School District which got a 4.68%. The state Basic Education Funding to the Hollidaysburg Area School District in 2008-09 was $11,239,519.25. Ninety school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[111] The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.[112] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.[113][114] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 893 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[115]

Beginning in 2004–2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania's school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010–11, the district applied for and received $438,598 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten and reduced class size K-3rd grade.[116][117]

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. The School District was denied funding by the PDE in 2006-07 and in 2007–08. The district received $162,699 in 2008–09.[118] In Blair County the highest award was given to Altoona Area School District getting $597,806. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state financial crisis.

The district received an extra $3,880,055 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[119][120] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[121] 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.

District officials applied for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided over nearly million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[122] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[123] 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.[124][125][126]

Hollidaysburg Area School District did not participate in the PreK Counts grants, the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant of 2012 nor the Science It Elementary grants of 2007–2010.

Property tax rates in 2012-13 were set by the school board at 97.5000 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region.[127] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[128] When the school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.[129] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.[130]

• 2011-12 - 97.5000 mills.[131]
• 2010-11 - 97.5000 mills[132]
• 2009-10 - 130.0000 mills.[133]
• 2008-09 - 130.0000 mills.[134]
• 2007-08 - 123.4769 mills.[135]
• 2006-07 - 118.5000 mills.[136]
• 2005-06 - 118.5000 mills.[137]

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 1999–00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008–09.[138] The average yearly property tax paid by Blair County residents amounts to about 1.99% of their yearly income. Blair County is ranked 1441st of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[139]

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise property taxes above that Index unless they either: 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.[140] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[141] Several exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[142][143]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Hollidaysburg Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011–2012.[144]

• 2006-07 - 4.8%, Base 3.9%
• 2007-08 - 4.2%, Base 3.4%
• 2008-09 - 5.3%, Base 4.4%
• 2009-10 - 5.0%, Base 4.1%
• 2010-11 - 3.5%, Base 2.9%
• 2011-12 - 1.7%, Base 1.4%
• 2012-13 - 2.1%, Base 1.7%[145]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Hollidaysburg Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012–2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[146]

For the 2011–12 school year, the Hollidaysburg Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Hollidaysburg 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 published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[147]

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.[148]

The District funds:

Junior high school sports

• According to PIAA directory July 2012[150]