Southeastern Greene School District

In April 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released a report identifying Mapletown Junior Senior High School as among the lowest achieving schools for reading and mathematics in the Commonwealth.[26] Parents and students may be eligible for scholarships to transfer to another public or nonpublic school through the state's Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012.[27] The scholarships are limited to those students whose family's income is less than $60,000 annually, with another $12,000 allowed per dependent. Maximum scholarship award is $8,500, with special education students receiving up to $15,000 for a year's tuition. Parents pay any difference between the scholarship amount and the receiving school's tuition rate. Students may seek admission to neighboring public school districts. Each year the PDE publishes the tuition rate for each individual public school district.[28] Fifty-three public schools in Allegheny County are among the lowest-achieving schools in 2011. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to these scholarships. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania had all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District.[29] In 2014, Monessen City School District had all three of its schools added to the list. Funding for the scholarships comes from donations by businesses which receive a state tax credit for donating.

In 2012, Southeastern Greene School District declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[30] In 2011, Southeastern Greene 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.[31] Southeastern Greene School District achieved AYP status each year from 2006 to 2010.[32]

• 2005 -Making Progress School Improvement level I
• 2004 -School Improvement I due to inadequate student achievement
• 2003 - Warning due to lagging student achievement

In 2013, Southeastern Greene School District's graduation rate increased to 93%.[33] In 2012, Southeastern Greene School District's graduation rate declined to 83%.[34] In 2011, the district's graduation rate was 85%.[35] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Southeastern Greene School District's rate was 87% for 2010.[36]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

• 2010 - 79% [37]
• 2009 - 80%
• 2008 - 86% [38]
• 2007 - 86%[39]

Mapletown Junior-Senior High School is located at 1000 Mapletown Road, Greensboro. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 289 pupils in 7th through 12th grades, with 49% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 17.6% of pupils received special education services, while 1% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 28 teachers.[40] Per the PA Department of Education 2% of the teachers were rated "Non‐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 285 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 152 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. The school employed 27 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 10:1.[41] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 9 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind and 15 have emergency certifications.[42]

2013 School Performance Profile

Mapletown Junior-Senior High School achieved 64.2 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 57% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 54% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 44.6% showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 66% demonstrated on grade level writing skills.[43] 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.[44]

AYP History

In 2012, Mapletown Junior-Senior High School declined to School Improvement I level due to missing all measured academic metrics.[45] In 2011, Mapletown Junior-Senior High School was in Warning status due to chronic low student achievement.[46] Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the school administration was required to notify parents of the school's poor achievement outcomes and to offer the parent the opportunity to transfer to a successful school within the district. Additionally, the school administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the school's low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[47] The Mapletown Junior-Senior High School is eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[48]

PSSA Results

Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.[49]

In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.[50]

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 47% on grade level, (37% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[51]
• 2011 - 68% (19% below basic). State - 69.1%[52]
• 2010 - 50%, (27% below basic) State - 67% of 11th graders on grade level. (48 pupils enrolled) [53]
• 2009 - 36%, State - 65% (50 pupils enrolled)
• 2008 - 46%, State - 65% (47 pupils enrolled) [54]

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 47% on grade level (40% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[55]
• 2011 - 51%, (34% below basic). State - 60.3%[56]
• 2010 - 44% (35% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 42%, State - 56%[57]
• 2008 - 38%, State - 56%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 27% on grade level (25% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[58]
• 2011 - 43% (19% below basic). State - 40%[59]
• 2010 - 20%, (27% below basic). State - 39%
• 2009 - 28%, State - 40% [60]
• 2008 - 8%, State - 39% [61]

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 60% of the Mapletown Junior 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.[62] 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.[63] 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.

The high school offers a dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[64] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[65]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,759 for the program.[66]

The Southeastern Greene School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 27 credits to graduate, including: Math 4 credits, English 4 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Science 4 credits, Physical Education/Health 1 credit, Arts and Humanities 1 credit and 10 electives. There can be no course duplication in completing the requirements. Credits earned in Dual Enrollment count towards high school graduation.[67] Proficiency levels on PSSA testing in the areas of mathematics, reading, and writing are also required for graduation.

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.[68] Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.[69]

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the Keystone Exams.[70][71][72] For the class of 2019, a composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements.[73] In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level.[74] Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program (IEP) may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

In 2013, Southeastern Greene School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 459. The Math average score was 494. The Writing average score was 446. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.[75]

In 2012, 23 Southeastern Greene School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 455. The Math average score was 502. The Writing average score was 426. 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, 16 Southeastern Greene School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 446. The Math average score was 450. The Writing average score was 413.[76] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[77] In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 (out of 800) verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.[78]

The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative.[79] 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. Testing in science began in 2007.

Science

• 2012 - 44% on grade level (30% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 54% (28% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 41%, (31% below basic). State - 57%
• 2009 - 34%, State - 55%.[83]
• 2008 - 40%, State - 52%[84]

Seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006.

Bobtown Elementary School is located on Grant Street in Bobtown. In 2013, Bobtown Elementary School's enrollment declined to 312 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 57% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 19% of the pupils receive special education services, while 0.64% are identified as gifted.[85] 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.[86] The Bobtown Elementary School is a federally designated Title I school.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, Bobtown Elementary School reported an enrollment of 340 pupils in kindergarten through 6th grade, with 210 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 27 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.[87] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[88]

2013 School Performance Profile

Bobtown Elementary School achieved a score of 78.6 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 62% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 71% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 75.4% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 94% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 54% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.[89]

AYP History

In 2012, Bobtown Elementary School declined to Warning (AYP) status due to low student achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2011 and 2010, Bobtown Elementary School achieved AYP status even though on grade level test scores were far below state averages.[90] In 2011, the school's attendance rate improved to 91%. In 2010 it was 90%.[91]

PSSA History

Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered beginning 2003 to all Pennsylvania public school students in grades 3rd-8th.[92] The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014.[93][94][95] The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.[96]

4th Grade Science

• 2012 - 94%, (0% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 98%, (0% below basic), State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 90%, (2% below basic). State - 81%
• 2009 - 94%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 77%, State - 81%

The District Administration reported that 2 of its students were gifted in 2011. The District Administration reported that less than 10 of its students were gifted in 2009.[120] 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.[121]

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, School District receives 67% of its annual revenue from the state.[144]

For the 2014-15 school year, Southeastern Greene School District will receive $4,834,834 in State Basic Education funding. The district will also receive $108,699 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.[145] 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.[146]

In the 2013-2014 school year, Southeastern Greene School District received $4,834,834 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district received $62,440 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Greene County, Central Greene School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 1.6%. The district has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth's budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding.[147] The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent.[148] As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.[149]

For the 2012-13 school year, Southeastern Greene School District received $4,850,025.[150] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) program. Southeastern Greene School District received $62,440. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[151] This amount was a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In the 2011-12 school year, Southeastern Greene School District received a $4,787,585 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding (BEF).[152] Additionally, the Southeastern Greene School District received $62,440 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.[153] 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.[154] In 2010, the district reported that 882 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[155]

For the 2010-11 budget year, Southeastern Greene School District was allotted a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $5,220,618. The highest increase, in Greene County, was provided to Central Greene School District through a 4.97% increase. 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.[156] 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 set by the Governor and the Secretary of Education as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.[157] This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some public school districts at a far higher rate than others.[158]

In the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 7.24% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $5,133,876 to Southeastern Greene School District. This was among the third highest increase, in Basic Education Funding, that school districts in Greene County received. Central Greene School District got a 9.64% increase. Ninety Pennsylvania school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[156] The amount of increase each school district received was set by then Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak as a part of the state budget proposal given each February.[159]

The state Basic Education Funding to the Southeastern Greene School District in 2008-2009 was $4,787,151. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 435 students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch due to low family income in 2008.[160]

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 $169,477 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide Increased Instructional Time.[161][162]

• 2009-10 - $169,477 for increased instructional time and Social and Emotional Wellness and School Safety Programs.[163]
• 2008-09 - $169,477 for increased instructional time and Social/Health services.

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 2006-2009. Southeastern Greene School District received $344,563 in 2006-07. In 2007-08 and in 2008-09 the Southeastern Greene School District did not apply to participate, effectively avoiding related state mandates.[164] In Greene County, the highest award was given to Southeastern Green School District. 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 G. Rendell as part of his 2009-10 state budget plan.

The state's EAP funding provided for the continuing support of tutoring services and other programs to address the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available to eligible school districts and full-time career and technology centers (CTC) in which one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as provided for in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 the Southeastern Greene School District received $51,654.[165]

Southeastern Greene School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Southeastern Greene School District received an extra $778,289 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[166] The funding is for the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[167]

District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars to improve student academic achievement. 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.[168] 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.[169]

The Southeastern Greene School Board decided to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[170] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

In 2010, a study on the possible consolidation of services between Carmichaels Area School District, Jefferson-Morgan School District and Southeastern Greene School Districts was conducted.[171] The study conducted by Hayes Design Group of Bridgeville. The study documented the needs of each district and available options to share services. The respective school boards formed committees to examine the results. The district's enrollment is in the bottom 10% in Pennsylvania.

A study was done in 2004, examining consolidating Southeastern Greene School District with neighboring Carmichaels Area School District. It was estimated that over $2 million in savings would be achieved.[172] The study noted that consolidation could significantly decrease administrative costs for both communities while improving offerings to students. Consolidation of school district administrations does not require the consolidation of schools.[173]

From 2000-2010, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment decrease by over 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline was in western Pennsylvania, where rural school districts may have a 16 percent decline. More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater).[174] Statewide, there are 187 districts that are projected to have an enrollment decline of 15 percent or greater. Geographically, these districts are clustered in western Pennsylvania and in the state's northern tier.[175]

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. Less than 95 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts have enrollment below 1250 students, in 2007.[176] 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.[177]

Property tax rates in 2014-2015 were set by the Southeastern Greene School Board at 23.0000 mills.[178] 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. 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.[179]

The average yearly property tax paid by Greene County residents amounts to about 3.48% of their yearly income. Greene County ranked 382nd out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[186] 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.[187] 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%).[188]

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[189] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six of the ten the exceptions to the Index.[190] The following exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the index in the school's share of payments to PSERS taking into account on the PSERS contribution rate.[191]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Southeastern Greene School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[192]

For the 2013-2014 budget year, Southeastern Greene School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2013-2014, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. For the exception for pension costs, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[195]

For the 2012-2013 budget year, Southeastern Greene 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.[195]

For the 2011-2012 school year, Southeastern Greene School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Southeastern Greene 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.[196]

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.[197]

The Southeastern Greene School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2009-10 or 2010-2011 [198][199] 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.[200]

In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Southeastern Green School District was $287 per approved permanent primary residence. In the Southeastern Greene School District, 1,306 property owners applied for the tax relief.[201] The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Greene County, only 37% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[202] In Greene County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2010, went to Central Greene School District at $296. The highest property tax relief in Pennsylvania went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead.[203] This was the third year they were the top recipient.

• 2009 - $303 for 1,234 properties [204]
• 2008 - $348 for 1,075 properties

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, individual with income much 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.[205]

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%).[206]

The district funds: