Lakeview School District (Mercer County, Pennsylvania)

Lakeview School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[6] 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 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.[7]

Lakeview School District was ranked 243rd out of the 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2013, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the reading, writing, mathematics and science PSSAs.[8] The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

• 2012 - 229th[9]
• 2011 - 211th
• 2010 - 211th[10]
• 2009 - 177th
• 2008 - 157th
• 2007 - 148th out of 501 school districts.[11]

Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Lakeview School District ranked 200th. In 2011, the District was ranked 164th.[12] The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."[13]

In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of the Lakeview School District was in the 58th percentile of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)[14]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Lakeview School District achieved AYP status.[15] In 2011, Lakeview School District achieved 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 Pennsylvania public 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.[16] Lakeview School District also achieved AYP status each year from 2003 to 2010.[17]

Lakeview High School is located at 2482 Mercer Street, Stoneboro. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 407 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 157 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. The school is a federally designated Title I school. Lakeview High School employed 28 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.[23] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 5 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[24]

In 2012, Lakeview High School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student academic achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2011, Lakeview High School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status. Lakeview High School also achieved AYP in both 2009 and 2010.[25]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 71% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[26]
• 2011 - 71% (8% below basic). State - 69.1%[27]
• 2010 - 76% (13% below basic). State - 66%[28]
• 2009 - 70% (15% below basic), State - 65%[29]
• 2008 - 76% (8% below basic), State - 65%[30]
• 2007 - 79% (11% below basic), State - 65%[31]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 57% on grade level (19% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[32]
• 2011 - 64% (12% below basic). State - 60.3%[33]
• 2010 - 65% (20% below basic). State - 59%[34]
• 2009 - 53% (26% below basic). State - 56%.[35]
• 2008 - 60% (20% below basic), State - 56%[36]
• 2007 - 52% (23% below basic), State - 53%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 38% on grade level (9% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[37]
• 2011 - 55% (10% below basic). State - 40%[38]
• 2010 - 44% on grade level (12% below basic). State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2009 - 42% (15% below basic). State - 40%[39]
• 2008 - 49%, State - 39%

Science in Motion Lakeview High School took 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.[40] The High School faculty worked with Westminster College to provide the enrichment experiences.

Lakeview Middle School is located at 2482 Mercer Street, Stoneboro. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 403 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 165 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 32 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.[59] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1 teacher was rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[60]

In 2009 through 2012, Lakeview Middle School achieved AYP status each school year.[61][62]

PSSA Results

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 71% on grade level (19% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 65% (13% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 69% (14% below basic). State - 57%
• 2009 - 67% (14% below basic). State - 55%[72]
• 2008 - 63%, State - 52%[73]

Oakview Elementary School is located at 1387 School Road, Stoneboro. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 450 pupils in grades preschool through 5th, with 200 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 33.5 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.[74] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[75] The Oakview Elementary School hosts an Intermediate Unit Early Intervention program for students that are 3 years old and a taxpayer funded Pre K program for 4-year-old students as well as a full-day kindergarten.

In 2012, Oakview Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2011, Oakview Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status. In 2010 and 2009, the School achieved AYP status.[76] The attendance rate was 94% both years.

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 97%, 71% advanced (1% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 93%, 63% advanced (1% below basic). State - 82.9%
• 2010 - 89% (4% below basic). State - 81%
• 2009 - 92% (1% below basic). State - 83%
• 2008 - 81%, State - 81%

In December 2012, Lakeview School District administration reported that 201 pupils or 16% of the District's pupils received Special Education services with 39% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In 2009, the District administration reported that 192 pupils or 14.9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[84]

In compliance with state and federal laws, the 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 intended to yield student progress.[85] To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted. 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. 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 the professional employees of the District or contact the Special Education Department.[86]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.[87] 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.[88] 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.[89] 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.[90] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.[91]

Lakeview School District received a $724,649 supplement for special education services in 2010.[92] 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. 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.[93][94] Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.

In 2012, Lakeview School District administration reported there was one incident of bullying and one incident of a pupil with a gun.[97] In 2010, Lakeview School District administration reported there were three reported episodes of bullying in the District. There were 23 incidents of fighting and no students were placed in Alternative Education.[98][99]

The Lakeview School Board provides its bullying policy online.[100] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools and are required to review their antibullying policy every three years. According to Pennsylvania law, the district must conduct an annual review of its bullying policy with students.[101] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.[102][103]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[104]

In late May 2018, the school board announced a new anti-discrimination policy effective at the start of the 2018-2019 school year that will allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice.

According to Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment reports, there were 1,200 students enrolled in preK-12th in 2012-13 school year at Lakeview School District. There were 98 students in the Class of 2009. The District's class of 2010 had 96 students. Enrollment is projected to decline to 1,056 students by 2020.[105][106] A study of Pennsylvania public school spending, conducted by Standard and Poor's, examined the consolidation of neighboring districts with enrollment under 2000 pupils. The study found that consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings which varied by public school district.[107]

According to a 2009 school district administration consolidation proposal by Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to reduce property taxes.[108] 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.[109]

Over the decade 2000-2010, rural Pennsylvania public school district enrollment decreased 8 percent.[110] As the enrollment declined, per pupil administrative costs of the schools continue to rise. In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants released a report finding that the state would save hundreds of millions of tax dollars, by cutting the number of school administrations in half through consolidation, with no impact on programs offered to students.[111]

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.[112] 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.[113]

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.[114]

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Lakeview School District was $52,979 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $16,366 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $69,346.[115] In 2012, the District reported employing 106 teachers and administrators with the top salary of $111,250.

In 2009, Lakeview School District employed over 102 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $51,798 for 185 days worked. The beginning salary was $37,560, while the highest salary was $103,115.[116] Teachers work a 7-hour 30 minutes day, with one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch included. Additionally, the teachers receive: a defined benefit pension, health insurance (employee pays $55 per month), dental insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 2 paid emergency days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, paid bereavement leave and many other benefits. The district provides the union with 10 paid teacher days to be used for union business. The union pays for a substitute teacher when needed. After 15 years in the district teachers receive annual longevity bonuses in addition to the raises. The district offers an extensive retirement/longevity package which includes payment for unused sick days. The district offers strong compensation for coaching in sports and advising clubs.[117] According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[118][119]

In 2007, the Lakeview School District employed 86 teachers working 180 days of pupil instruction. The average teacher salary in the district was $52,369.[120] As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation.[121]

Per pupil spending In 2008, per pupil spending at Lakeview School District was $10,667 for each child. This ranked 425th among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.[122] In 2010, the District's per pupil spending had increased to $11,045.[123] In 2011, Pennsylvania's per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States.[124] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.[125] The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[126]

Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[127] Pennsylvania's total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.[128]

Lakeview School District administrative costs was $731.38 per pupil in 2008. This is ranked 273rd among in the 500 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[129]

Contract In 2012, the Lakeview School Board and the District's teachers union agreed to a contract for the years July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2015. The contract includes a pay freeze for the first year. The faculty will then average a 0.68 percent base pay raise plus 1.57 percent step increases. The teachers will pay a small health care deductibles, monthly premiums and co-pays. There are a;so modifications to the teachers' prescription drug plan and tuition reimbursement benefits.[130]

Reserves In 2008, the Lakeview School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $1,434,628 and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,049,447.[131] In 2012, Lakeview School District reported having $7,683,376 in reserves. 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.[132] By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.[133]

Audits In June 2013, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the Lakeview School District. Multiple serious findings were uncovered including: conflicts of interest, certificate deficiencies, erroneous pupil membership reporting, failure to comply with state law regarding voting on salary raises and others. Multiple teachers lacked appropriate certificates to teach. The Issues were reported to the Lakeview School Board and administration.[134] In July 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The audit covered the period September 21, 2007 through February 19, 2010. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.[135]

Tuition Students who live in the Lakeview School 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 Lakeview 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 Lakeview School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $7,626.44, High School - $8,214.50.[136]

Lakeview School District is funded by a combination of: a local tax on earned income 0.5%, an Occupation Privilege Tax $10 per annum, Per Capita taxes $10 per person, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants have provided 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.[137] 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.[138]

Lakeveiw School Board set the property taxes rate at 46.1700 mills for the 2012-13 school year.[164] 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. 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. 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.[165] Taxpayers qualify for a 2% discount if paid within two (2) months.

• 2011-12 - 46.1700 mills
• 2010-11 - 46.1700 mills
• 2009-10 - 46.1700 mills.[166]
• 2008-09 - 46.1700 mills.[167]
• 2007-08 - 46.1700 mills.[168]
• 2006-07 - 46.1700 mills.
• 2005-06 - 44.1700 mills.

The average yearly property tax paid by Mercer County residents amounts to about 2.88% of their yearly income. Schuylkill County ranked 672nd out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[169] 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 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011.[170] 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%).[171]

Lakeview School District offers a variety of clubs, (grades 7-12 can join )activities and costly middle school and high school sports programs. The high school is a District 10 member of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). Eligibility to participate is determined by school board policies and the PIAA.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the 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.[189]