Loyalsock Township School District

In 2012, Loyalsock Township School District achieved (Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[42] In 2011, Loyalsock Township 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.[43] School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2009, while in 2003 Loyalsock Township District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[44]

In 2013, Loyalsock Township School District's graduation rate was 92.5%.[45] In 2012, Loyalsock Township School District's graduation rate was 88%.[46] In 2011, the graduation rate was 92%.[47] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. School District's rate was 90% for 2010.[48]

Former calculation graduation rate

• 2010 - 96% [49]
• 2009 - 89%
• 2008 - 94% [50]
• 2007 - 94% [51]
• 2005 - 89% [52]

Loyalsock Township High School is located at 1801 Loyalsock Drive, Williamsport. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 464 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 26% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 14% of pupils received special education services, while 4.3% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 32 teachers.[53] Per the PA Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 443 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 71 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 32 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[54] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[55]

US News and World Report rating In 2014, Loyalsock Township High School was recognized by US News and World Report as a Silver level high school in a nationwide school ranking. Among Pennsylvania high schools (traditional, charter and private) 56 achieved gold or silver medals. Another 103 high schools achieved bronze rating out of 698 Pennsylvania high schools reviewed.[56]

2013 School Performance Profile

Loyalsock Township High School achieved 91.6 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature – 88% of students tested were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 77.8% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Biology, just 66% showed on grade level science understanding.[57] 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.[58]

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 77% on grade level, (% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[59]
• 2011 - 81%, 43% advanced, (9% below basic). State - 69.1% [60]
• 2010 - 79%, 47% advanced (14% below basic). State - 66% [61]
• 2009 - 78%, 45% advanced (12% below basic), State - 65% [62]
• 2008 - 74%, 45% advanced (10% below basic), State - 65%[63]
• 2007 - 85%, 52% advanced (9% below basic), State - 65% [64]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 78% on grade level (6% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[65]
• 2011 - 71%, 39% advanced, (6% below basic). State - 60.3%
• 2010 - 87%, 46% advanced (3% below basic). State - 59% [66]
• 2009 - 71%, 38% advanced (12% below basic). State - 56%[67]
• 2008 - 70%, 40% advanced (12% below basic). State - 56% [68]
• 2007 - 83%, 50% advanced (9% below basic). State - 53%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 58% on grade level (3% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[69]
• 2011 - 60%, (5% below basic). State - 40% [70]
• 2010 - 58%, (12% below basic), State - 39% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2009 - 61%, (9% below basic). State - 40%
• 2008 - 52%, (4% below basic). State - 39%

Science in Motion Loyalsock Township 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.[71] Susquehanna University provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 5% of Loyalsock Township 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.[72] 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.[73] 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 mathematics or English.

In 2013, Loyalsock Township School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 505. The Math average score was 518. The Writing average score was 495. 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.[74]

In 2012, 94 Loyalsock Township School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 502. The Math average score was 507. The Writing average score was 496. 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, 81 Loyalsock Township School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 500. The Math average score was 515. The Writing average score was 483.[75] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[76] 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.[77]

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.[78]

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, Loyalsock Township High School offered 10 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 Loyalsock Township High School 83% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.[79]

Loyalsock Township School District students have access to Bloomsburg University's Summer College and Advanced College Experience (ACE) during the summer of their sophomore, junior and senior years (after high school graduation). Tuition is deeply discounted to 75% of the regular student rate.[80] Successful students earn college credits that can be transferred to other Pennsylvania public colleges and universities through the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC) system.[81]

Loyalsock Township Middle School is located at 2101 Loyalsock Dr, Williamsport. In 2013, enrollment was 351 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 29% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 17% of pupils received special education services, while 3.7% of pupils were identified as gifted.[82] According to a 2013 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[83]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 85 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 26 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.[84] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[85]

2013 School Performance Profile

Loyalsock Township Middle School achieved 80.9 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, just 76% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 85% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 75% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 80% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[86]

AYP history

In 2012, Loyalsock Township Middle School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status due to lagging student achievement. In 2011 and 2010, the Middle School achieved AYP status.[87] The attendance rate was 95% in 2011, 2010 - 95% and in 2009 - 96%.[88]

PSSA history

Sixth and seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999.[89] Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science.[90] The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[91] In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.[92]

8th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 83% on grade level 53% advanced (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.
• 2011 - 81%, 62% advanced, (6% below basic). State - 81.8%
• 2010 - 88%, 65% advanced (5% below basic). State - 81% [93]
• 2009 - 86%, 66% advanced (9% below basic). State - 80%
• 2008 - 83%, 63% advanced (6% below basic). State - 78%
• 2007 - 86%, 53% advanced (4% below basic). State - 75%[94]

8th Grade Math

• 2012 - 89% on grade level 72% advanced (2% below basic). State - 76% [95]
• 2011 - 91%, 60% advanced (3% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 - 88%, 69% advanced (5% below basic). State - 75%
• 2009 - 88%, 66% advanced (5% below basic). State - 71%
• 2008 - 86%, 64% advanced (4% below basic). State - 70% [96]
• 2007 - 84%, 55% advanced (7% below basic). State - 67%

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 65% on grade level (15% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 68% (11% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 68%, (17% below basic). State - 57%.
• 2009 - 55%, (17% below basic). State - 54% [97]
• 2008 - 61%, (4% below basic). State - 52% [98]

Donald E Shick Elementary School is located at 2800 Four Mile Drive, Montoursville. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 662 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 31.7% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 13% of the pupils receive special education services, while 1.8% are identified as gifted.[99] 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 to all pupils.[100] The School is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, Donald E Shick Elementary School reported an enrollment of 651 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 200 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 40 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 16:1.[101] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[102]

2013 School Performance Profile

Donald E Shick Elementary School achieved a score of 70.3 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 72.7% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 83% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 80.6% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 83% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 57% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[103]

AYP History

In 2010 through 2012, Donald E. Shick Elementary School achieved AYP status.[104] The attendance rate was 95% in 2011 and 96% in 2010.[105]

4th Grade Science;

• 2012 - 91%, (2% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 88%, (0% below basic). State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 89%, 38% advanced. State - 81%
• 2009 - 92%, 51% advanced. State - 83%
• 2008 - 91%, 42% advanced. State - 81%

The district administration reported that 37 or 2.64% of its students were gifted in 2009.[120] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the high school have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. 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.[121]

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Loyalsock Township School District receives 27.1% of its annual revenue from the state.[158]

For the 2014-15 school year, Loyalsock Township School District received $2,769,652 in State Basic Education funding. The district also received $38,287 in Accountability Block Grant funding and $65,688 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.[159] 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.[160]

For the 2013-14 school year, the Loyalsock Township School District received $2,769,027 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding (BEF), which is $70,217 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the district. Additionally, the district received $38,287 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement an level funding for special education services. 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. The state funded the PSERS (state school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[161]

In the 2012-13 school year, Loyalsock Township School District received $2,737,096 in state funding.[162] 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 was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. The state also provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG). Loyalsock Township School District also received $38,287 in ABG funds. The state paid $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[163]

In the 2011-12 school year, Loyalsock Township School District received $2,698,468 in state Basic Education Funding.[164] Additionally, the district received $38,287 in state Accountability Block Grant funding.[165] 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.[166] Districts experienced a reduction in funding, due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011. In 2010, Loyalsock Township School District reported that 389 of its pupils received a free or reduced price meals, through the federal school lunch program, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 school year, Loyalsock Township School District received an 8.13% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $2,966,393 payment.[167] This was the highest increase in BEF in Lycoming County. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-11. 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 when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was determined by then Governor Edward Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.[168]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.94% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $2,743,481 to Loyalsock Township School District. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low-income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more.[169] This was the highest increase in BEF, among Lycoming County school districts, for the 2009-10 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.[170]

The state Basic Education funding to the Loyalsock Township School District in 2008-09 was $2,589,668.39 for Loyalsock Township School District. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 351 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.[171]

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, Loyalsock Township School District applied for and received $103,921 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten since 2004.[172][173]

The Classroom for the Future state program provided public school 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 2006-2009. Loyalsock Township School District was denied funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the district received $81,173. For the 2008–09, school year the district received $44,414 for a total of $125,587. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[174] In Lycoming County, the highest award was given to Jersey Shore Area School District which was award $428,436. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of his 2009-10 state budget plan.

Loyalsock Township School District did not participate in: Science Its Elementary grants;[175] PreK Counts (taxpayer funded preschool); Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grants;[176] Federal 21st Century Learning grants for after school programs; Education Assistance tutoring grants; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environment Education grants;[177] nor 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants[178]

Loyalsock Township School District received an extra $793,324 in ARRA - federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[179] The funding was for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years.[180] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, the Governor and the Pennsylvania School Board Association, 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, computers and software.

Loyalsock Township School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[181] 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.[182] 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.[183]

The Loyalsock Township School Board did 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.[184] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

The school board set property tax rates for the school budget 2014-15 at 13.58 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. 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[185] 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 all government property (local, state and federal). 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.[186] When a Pennsylvania public 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.[187] 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.[188]

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.[194] The average yearly property tax paid by Lycoming County residents in 2012 amounted to about 3.53% of their yearly income. Lycoming County was ranked 364th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[195] In 2013, the average yearly property tax paid by Lycoming County residents was 3.53% of their annual income. Lycoming County ranked 364th of the 3143 counties for property taxes as a percentage of resident's median income.[196]

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not authorized 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.[197]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Loyalsock Township School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.[198]

For the 2014-15 budget year, Loyalsock Township 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).[202] 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.[203]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Loyalsock Township 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.[204]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Loyalsock Township 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.[205]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Loyalsock Township School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each budget year, the Loyalsock Township 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.[206]

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.[207]

Loyalsock Township School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010-11.[208] 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.[209]

In 2013, Loyalsock Township School District approved homestead properties receiving $131 in state property tax relief.[210] The amount received by the district must be divided equally among all the 3,016 approved residences.[211] Businesses do not receive this reduction.

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead property tax relief from gambling for the Loyalsock Township School District was $131 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,006 property owners applied for the tax relief.[212] The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's 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 and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. The Pennsylvania Auditor General found that 69% of property owners applied for tax relief in Lycoming County.[213] In Lycoming County, the highest property tax relief in 2009 was $310 awarded to the approved property owners in Williamsport Area School District. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010.[214] This was the second year Chester Upland School District was 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 more 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.[215]

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%).[216]

The sports programs are through the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.[240] The Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference is a voluntary association of 25 PIAA High Schools within the central Pennsylvania region.

The district funds:

Middle School Sports:

According to PIAA directory July 2012 [241]