Sto-Rox School District

In 2012, Sto-Rox School District declined further to District Improvement II AYP level due to chronic low student achievement and a low graduation rate.[15] In 2011, Sto-Rox School District declined to District Improvement I AYP level due to chronic low student achievement and a low graduation rate.[16] In 2011, the district remained on the State's persistently, lowest-achieving schools list. 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 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.

• 2010 - Warning status for low reading and math achievement.[17]
• 2009 - Warning
• 2008- Warning
• 2007 - achieved AYP
• 2006 - achieved AYP
• 2005 - Making Progress School Improvement I
• 2004 - Declined to School Improvement I
• 2003 - Warning

In 2013, Sto-Rox School District's ranking was 487th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts for student academic achievement. The ranking was based on the last 3 years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: mathematics, reading, writing and science. 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 - 489th[18]
• 2011 - 486th[19]
• 2010 - 484th[20]
• 2009 - 487th
• 2008 - 490th out of 500.
• 2007 - 490th out of 501.[21]

Overachievers Ranking

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Sto-Rox School District ranked 312th.[22] 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."[23]

• 2012 - 258th[24]
• 2011 - 132nd

Western Pennsylvania local region academic ranking

The Sto-Rox School District was ranked 100th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania School Districts in 2013, by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[25] The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and science. (includes 105 districts in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County and Westmoreland County; however it excludes Duquesne City School District & Midland Borough School District due to no high schools)

• 2012 - 100th
• 2011 - 100th[26]
• 2010 - 101st[27]
• 2009 - 101st out of 105 Western Pennsylvania districts.[28]
• 2008 - 102nd out of 105.

In 2009, the student achievement of the Sto-Rox School District was in the lowest 3rd percentile among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. Scale - (0-99; 100 is state best)[29]

In 2012, Sto-Rox School District's graduation rate was 73%.[30] In 2011, the graduation rate was 79%.[31] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Sto-Rox High School's rate was 66% for 2010.[32]

Under former calculation formula

• 2010 - 90%[33]
• 2009 - 79%[34]
• 2008 - 80%
• 2007 - 80%[35]
• 2006 - 91%[36]

Sto-Rox High School is located at 1105 Valley Street, Mckees Rocks. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 409 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 316 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. Sto-Rox High School is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 35 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 11.79:1.[37] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[38]

In 2012, Sto-Rox High School's 11th grade's academic achievement ranked 112th among the local region's high schools. The high school's 11th grade ranked 111th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools based on the last three years of results in PSSAs on: reading, math writing and science.[39]

Adequate yearly progress history

In 2012, Sto-Rox High School declined further to School Improvement II level due to its low graduation rate. In 2011, Sto-Rox High School declined to School Improvement I level due to continuing low student achievement.[40] Under the federal No Child Left Behind ACT, the school administration was required to notify parents of their right to transfer their child to a successful school in the district.[41] Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) required the administration write a School Improvement Plan to raise student achievement in reading and math as well as the graduation rate. The administration submitted the plan to the PDE for approval.

• 2010 - Warning status. The school met 1 of 8 academic performance goals in 2010.[42]
• 2009 - Warning
• 2008 - Warning
• 2007 - Achieved AYP status
• 2006 - Warning
• 2005 - Warning
• 2004 - Achieved AYP status
• 2003 - Warning

Under No Child Left Behind, the school was required to notify parents of the low academic achievement at the school and to offer a transfer to a better achieving school within the school district. The district operates one high school. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.[43] The high school is eligible for special, extra funding under School Improvement Grants which the school must apply for each year.[44]

From 2008 to 2012, the 11th grade was tested in Reading, Mathematics and Science. Before 2007, the tests were in reading and mathematics.

11th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 39% on grade level (38% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[45]
• 2011 - 43% (33% below basic). State - 69.1%[46]
• 2010 - 35% (44% below basic). State - 67%[47]
• 2009 - 46% (37% below basic). State - 65%[48]
• 2008 - 44% (38% below basic). State - 65%
• 2007 - 44%, State - 65%[49]
• 2006 - 34%, State - 65%[50]
• 2005 - 39%, State - 65%

11th Grade Math

• 2012 - 32% on grade level (38% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[51]
• 2011 - 34% (46% below basic). State - 60.3%[52]
• 2010 - 38% (45% below basic). State - 59%
• 2009 - 41% (38% below basic). State - 56%[53]
• 2008 - 30% (47% below basic). State - 56%
• 2007 - 34%, State - 53%
• 2006 - 21%, State - 52%
• 2005 - 15%, State - 51%

11th Grade Science

• 2012 - 6% on grade level (47% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[54]
• 2011 - 11% (53% below basic). State - 40%
• 2010 - 22% (40% below basic). State - 40%[55]
• 2009 - 24% (33% below basic). State - 40%
• 2008 - 22%, State - 39%[56]

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 53% of the Sto-Rox 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.[57] 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.[58] 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.

Sto-Rox 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 district works with Robert Morris University to offer the program. For several years, the state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[59] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[60] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $8,001 for the program.[61]

The Sto-Rox School Board has determined that students must earn 22 credits to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Math 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Science 4 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Health 0.5 credits, and Electives 4 credits.[62] Additionally, each high school student is required to complete seven hours of documented community service each school year for a total of 28 hours before graduation.[63]

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.[64] 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.[65]

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.[66][67][68] 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.[69] 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.[70] 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 2012, 49 Sto-Rox School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 406. The Math average score was 413. The Writing average score was 402. 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, 54 Sto-Rox School District students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 380. The Math average score was 395. The Writing average score was 349.[71] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[72] 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.[73]

Sto-Rox Middle School is located at 298 Ewing Road, Mckees Rocks. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 382 pupils in grades 5th through 8th, with 332 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school is a federally designated Title I school and receives supplemental federal funding. The school employed 30 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.[74] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1 teacher was rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[75]

Local region ranking

Sto-Rox Middle School's 8th grade ranked 140 out of 141 Western Pennsylvania Middle Schools in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking is based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and science.[76]

• 2011 - 135th
• 2009 - 137th[77]

AYP History

In 2012, Sto-Rox Middle School remained in Corrective Action II 2nd Year due to chronic, low student achievement, particularly in reading.[78] The attendance rate was 91%.[79] which permists students to transfer to other successful schools in the district or local charter schools. The district has no alternative, successful school for the students to transfer to under No Child Left Behind.[80] In 2010 and 2009, Sto-Rox Middle School's attendance rate was 91%. In remained 91% in 2011 and 2012[81]

• 2011 - declined to Corrective Action II 1st Year due to chronic, low student achievement.
• 2010 - declined to Corrective Action I
• 2009 - School Improvement II[82] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the administration to develop a School Improvement Plan targeted at raising student academic achievement. The plan was submitted to the PDE for approval.
• 2008 - declined School Improvement Level II
• 2007 - School Improvement I
• 2006 - Making Progress School Improvement I
• 2005 - School Improvement I
• 2004 - Warning
• 2003 - achieved AYP

PSSA Results

8th Grade Reading

• 2012 - 54% on grade level (34% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[51]
• 2011 - 50% (29% below basic). State - 81.8%
• 2010 - 53%, State - 81%[83]
• 2009 - 59%, State - 80.9%.[84]
• 2008 - 44%, State - 78%[85]
• 2007 - 26%, State - 75%[86]

8th Grade Math

• 2012 - 51% on grade level (29% below basic). State - 76%[87]
• 2011 - 40% (42% below basic). State - 76.9%
• 2010 - 54%, State - 75%
• 2009 - 65%, State - 71%
• 2008 - 38%, State - 70%
• 2007 - 52%, State - 67%

8th Grade Science

• 2012 - 29% on grade level (52% below basic). State - 59%
• 2011 - 23% (56% below basic). State – 58.3%
• 2010 - 26%, State - 57%
• 2009 - 27%, State - 55%[88]
• 2008 - 22%, State - 50%

Sto-Rox Elementary School is located at 300 Ewing Road, Mckees Rocks. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 584 pupils in grades kindergarten through 4th, with 513 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. Sto-Rox Elementary School employed 38 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[90] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[91]

Sto-Rox Elementary School third grade was ranked 315th out of 327 western Pennsylvania region 3rd grades for academic achievement in reading, math and writing.[92]

In 2009, Sto-Rox's 5th grade was ranked 264th out of 291 fifth grades in the western region of Pennsylvania by the Pittsburgh Business Times.[93]

AYP history

In 2012, Sto-Rox Elementary School declined further to Corrective Action II 1st Year due to continuing low student academic achievement in reading and mathematics.[94] In 2011, Sto-Rox Elementary School declined to Corrective Action I AYP status due to continuing, exceptionally low student achievement.[95] Parents may transfer children to another school or charter school.[96]

• 2010 - declined to School Improvement II performance rating
• 2009 - Making Progress in School Improvement Level I
• 2008 - School Improvement Level I
• 2007 - Made AYP
• 2006 - Warning AYP status
• 2005 - Warning
• 2004 - Wanring

PSSA Results

4th Grade Science:

• 2012 - 42% (26% below basic). State - 82%
• 2011 - 50%, (17% below basic). State – 82.9%
• 2010 - 64%, State - 81%
• 2009 - 59%, State - 83%
• 2008 - 69%, State - 81%

Sto-Rox School District Administration reported that 21 or 1.53% of its students were gifted in 2009.[115] 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.[116] Through the strategic planning process, the Superintendent must ensure that Sto-Rox School District provides a continuum of program and service options to meet the needs of all mentally gifted students for enrichment, acceleration, or both.[117]

In 2009, Sto-Rox School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Sto-Rox High School received $10,000 which was used to fund resistance training exercise equipment that will be utilized during the "Rowing Rox" fitness program.[132] Sto-Rox Elementary School received $9,985 to support its "Exertainment" for grades 3–5. Sto-Rox Middle School received $10,000 to purchase mini trampolines.[133] Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.

For the 2013–14 school year, the Sto-Rox School District will receive $8,443,578 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding, which is $151,040 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the district. Additionally, Sto-Rox School District will receive $190,225 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. All Pennsylvania public school districts have the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth's 2013-14 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.[163]

In the 2012–13 school year, Sto-Rox School District received $8,482,763.[164] The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 includes $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which is an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. The state also provides $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant (ABG). Sto-Rox School District received $190,225 in ABG funding. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[165] This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010–11 school year.

In 2011-12, Sto-Rox School District received $7,853,564 in state Basic Education Funding.[166][167] Additionally, the district received $190,522 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.[168]

For 2010-11, the Sto-Rox School District received a 2.57% increase in state Basic Education Funding (BEF) resulting in a $8,214,791 payment.[169] South Fayette Township School District received an 11.32% increase which was the highest increase in BEF in Allegheny County in 2010–11. 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. Fifteen (15) Pennsylvania public school districts received a BEF increase of greater than 10%. 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 where its enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by then Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund some districts at a far greater rate than others.[170]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $8,008,596. This was the base percentage increase, in Basic Education Funding, in the Commonwealth. Four school districts in Allegheny County received an increase of over 6 percent. Chartiers Valley School District received an 8.19% increase, which was the highest increase awarded to a public school district in Allegheny County in 2009–10. The total estimated Fund Balance, Revenues, and other financing for the 2009-10 budget was $26,394,191.[171] In Pennsylvania, a 2% increase in funding was the lowest. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received an increase of over 22.31%. Fifteen school districts received Basic Education increases in excess of 10%[172] The amount of increase each Pennsylvania public school district received was determined by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation made in the budget proposal made in February each year.[173]

The state Basic Education funding to the Sto-Rox School District in 2008-09 was $7,851,563.99. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1,027 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[174]

The state provides supplemental funding in the form of Accountability Block Grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved student educational achievement uses. Sto-Rox School District uses its $516,317 to fund: increasing instructional time, implementing career awareness instruction and to provide Professional Development to teachers. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding.[175] The 2008–09 school year was the fifth year the district offered all-day kindergarten to its pupils. Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants.[176] In 2009-10 the state provided $271.4 million in Accountability Block grants.[177]

The state's Education Assistance Program funding provides 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 Sto-Rox School District received $132,025.[178]

In 2010, Pennsylvania received $141 million from the US Department of Education, to turn around its worst-performing schools. The School Improvement Grant funds were disbursed via a competitive grant program.[179] The Pennsylvania Department of Education has identified 200 Pennsylvania schools as "persistently lowest-achieving," making them eligible for this special funding.[180] Pennsylvania required low performing schools to apply or provide documentation about why they had not applied. The funds must be used, by the district, to turn around schools in one of four ways: school closure, restart - close the school and reopen it as a charter school. The other two options involve firing the principal. One would require at least half the faculty in a chronically poor performing school be dismissed. The second involves intensive teacher training coupled with strong curriculum revision or a longer school day.[181] Both Sto-Rox Middle School and Sto-Rox High School were eligible for SIG funding. Sto-Rox Elementary School was eligible for extra funds when available. The Sto-Rox School District Administration did not apply for the grant.[182] Superintendent Serenka submitted a letter for exemption from application even though Sto-Rox High School is on the list of the state's lowest-performing schools.[183]

In 2011, the Sto-Rox High School, Sto-Rox Middle School, and the Sto-Rox Elementary School, all qualified for School Improvement Grants funding due to continuing, low student achievement. The school district administration did not apply for this extra funding.

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. Sto-Rox School District did not apply for funding in 2006/07. In 2007/08 the district received $60,241. For the 2008/09 school year the district received $30,805 for a total of $91,046. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[184]

The district received $2,006,181 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[185] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 1,027 students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[186]

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district millions in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[187][188] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[189] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[190] 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.[191]

The Sto-Rox School Board chose 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.[192] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement any of the recommended cost savings changes.

Sto-Rox ranks as the fourth highest taxed school district statewide for overall tax effort.[193]

The Sto-Rox School Board levied a 22.6000 mills tax on real estate in 2013–14.[194] 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 (Local Tax Enabling Act), which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[195] When the school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.[196] In 2010, miscalculations by the Pennsylvania 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.[197]

• 2012-13 - 25.0000 mills
• 2011-12 - 25.0000 mills[198]
• 2010-11 - 25.0000 mills.[199]
• 2009-10 - 25.0000 mills.[200]
• 2008-09 - 25.0000 mills.[201]
• 2007-08 - 25.0000 mills.[202]
• 2006-07 - 25.0000 mills.[203]
• 2005-06 - 25.0000 mills.[204]

The average yearly property tax paid by Allegheny County residents amounts to about 4.09% of their yearly income. Allegheny County ranked 209th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[205] 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.[206] 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%).[207]

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.[208]

In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation eliminating six of the exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[209] Several exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.[210][211] The legislature also froze the payroll amount public school districts use to calculate the pension-plan exception at the 2012 payroll levels. Further increases in payroll cannot be used to raise the district's exception for pension payments.

The School District Adjusted Index for the Sto-Rox School District 2006-2007 through 2010–2011.[212]

For the 2013-14 budget year, Sto-Rox School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit. 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 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 their tax limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.[214]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Sto-Rox School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012–2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.[215]

For the 2011–12 school year, the Sto-Rox School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Sto-Rox 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.[216]

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.[217]

The Sto-Rox School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 or in 2010–11.[218][219]

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.[220]

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Sto-Rox School District was $313 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,725 property owners applied for the tax relief.[221] 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. In Allegheny County, the highest property tax relief in 2009 was awarded to the approved property owners in Duquesne City School District at $346. 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.[222] This was the second year Chester Upland School District was the top recipient.

A study conducted by the Pennsylvania Auditor General found that 60% of eligible Allegheny County property owners had applied for property tax relief.[223]

The district funds: