Union Area School District

Union Area School District' is a diminutive, suburban public school district located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. The Union Area School District encompasses approximately 10 square miles (26 km2). The District serves Union Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and the independent district of Edinburg which encompasses portions of several neighbouring counties. According to 2000 federal census data, Union Area School District served a resident population of 5,103. In 2010, the population was 5,563 people.[6] In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $16,148, while the median family income was $41,086.[7] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501[8] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[9] In 2007-08, the Union Area School District provided basic educational services to 937 pupils. It employed: 64 teachers, 53 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 3 administrators. Union Area School District received more than $5.8 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.

Union Area School District
Address
500 South Scotland Lane

New Castle
,
Lawrence County
,
Pennsylvania
16101-1344

United States
Information
TypePublic
School board9 locally elected members
SuperintendentDr Alfonso Angelucci (2009-2013)[1]
AdministratorMrs Samantha C Laverty - Business Manager
PrincipalLinda Jean O'Neill, ES
PrincipalDavis Nerti, HS
Faculty60.5 teachers 2011[2]
GradesPreK-12
Age4 years old PreK class to 21 years old special education
Number of pupils845 (2009-10)[3]
 • Kindergarten94
 • Grade 146
 • Grade 255
 • Grade 360
 • Grade 463
 • Grade 557
 • Grade 657
 • Grade 773
 • Grade 869
 • Grade 955
 • Grade 1056
 • Grade 1174
 • Grade 1254
 • OtherEnrollment projected to decline to 758 pupils in 2020[4]
Budget$10.4 million 2012-13[5]
Per pupil spending$10,359 (2008)
Websitewww.union.k12.pa.us/site/default.aspx?PageID=1

Union Area School District operates one elementary school and a combined middle/high school ranging from fifth grade to twelfth grade.

Governance

The Union Area School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serves without compensation for a term of four years.), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[10] The federal government controls programs it funds like Title I funding for low-income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board.

The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration an "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.[11]

Graduation rate

In 2012, Union Area School District's graduation rate was 91%.[12] In 2011, the graduation rate was also 91%.[13] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Union Area High School's rate was 91.8% for 2010.[14]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Academic achievement

Union Area School District was ranked 288th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2012.[19] The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing math and science.[20] 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.

  • 2011 - 324th [21]
  • 2008 - 301st
  • 2007 - 335th out of 501 school districts.[22]
District AYP status history

In 2011 and 2012, Union Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.[23] 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.[24] Union Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2010, while in 2003 Union Area School District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[25]

Junior Senior High School

Union Area Junior Senior High School is located at 2106 Camden Ave, New Castle. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 253 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 98 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school employed 20 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 12:1.[26] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[27]

In 2012, Union Area Junior Senior High School declined to Warning AYP status.[28] In 2010 and 2011, Union Area High School achieved AYP status.[29]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 70% on grade level, (12% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.[30]
  • 2011 - 82% (8% below basic). State - 69.1% [31]
  • 2010 - 69% (19% below basic). State - 66% [32]
  • 2009 - 60% (20% below basic). State - 65% [33]
  • 2008 - 59% (20% below basic). State - 65% [34]
  • 2007 - 68% (12% below basic). State - 65% [35]

11th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 63% on grade level (21% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.[36]
  • 2011 - 67% (22% below basic). State - 60.3% [37]
  • 2010 - 59% (27% below basic). State - 59% [38]
  • 2009 - 48% (22% below basic). State - 56% [39]
  • 2008 - 53% (24% below basic). State - 56% [40]
  • 2007 - 40% (26% below basic). State - 53% [41]

11th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 34% on grade level (4% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.[42]
  • 2011 - 41% (14% below basic). State - 40% [43]
  • 2010 - 26% (15% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 - 24% (9% below basic). State - 40% [44]
  • 2008 - 41% (9% below basic). State - 39% [45]

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 88% of the Union Area 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.[46] 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.[47] 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.

Dual enrollment

Union Area 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 offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[48] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[49]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $3,500 for the program.[50] In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the funding due to massive state budget crisis.

SAT scores

In 2012, 31 Union Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 481. The Math average score was 475. The Writing average score was 455. 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, 34 Union Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 452. The Math average score was 454. The Writing average score was 439.[51] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[52] 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.[53]

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Science:

  • 2012 - 61% (8% below basic). State - 59% [59]
  • 2011 - 75% (11% below basic). State – 58.3%
  • 2010 - 65% (18% below basic). State – 57% [60]
  • 2009 - 65% (18% below basic). State - 55% [61]
  • 2008 - %, State - 52% [62]
  • 2007 - tested, but results not made public.

Elementary school

Union Memorial Elementary School is located at 500 South Scotland Lane, New Castle. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 453 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 126 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 22 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 15:1.[63] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.[64] Beginning with the 2004-05 school year, Union Area School District offers a preschool program to 4 year olds paid for by the taxpayers. The half-day program focuses on all aspects of a child's development: social, emotional, cognitive, and physical.

In 2012, Union Memorial Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging achievement in reading on grade level. In 2011, Union Memorial Elementary School achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind.[65]

4th Grade Science
  • 2012 - 87%, 55% advanced. State - 82%
  • 2011 - 85%, 56% advanced. State - 82.9%
  • 2010 - 92%, 52% advanced. State - 81%
  • 2009 - 92%, (0% below basic). State - 83%
  • 2008 - 83%, (3% below basic). State - 81%

Science in Motion Union Memorial Elementary School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate.[66] Union Memorial Elementary School worked with Westminster College to provide the experiences.

Special education

In December 2010, Union Area School District administration reported that 118 pupils or 13.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 43% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.[67] In December 2009, the District administration reported that 124 pupils or 14.2% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with % of the identified students having a specific learning disability. Special education services in the Commonwealth are provided to students from ages three years to 21 years old. In the 2010-11 school year, the total student enrollment was more than 1.78 million students with approximately 275,000 students eligible for special education services. Among these students 18,959 were identified with mental retardation and 21,245 students with autism.[68] The largest group of students are identified as Specific Learning Disabilities 126,026 students (46.9 percent) and Speech or Language Impairments with 43,542 students (16.2 percent).

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.[69] The Special Education funding structure is through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and state appropriations. IDEA funds are appropriated to the state on an annual basis and distributed through intermediate units (IUs) to school districts, while state funds are distributed directly to the districts. Total funds that are received by school districts are calculated through a formula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversees four appropriations used to fund students with special needs: Special Education; Approved Private Schools; Pennsylvania Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Early Intervention. The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district's students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student's needs accrue the same level of costs.[70] Over identification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.[71] The state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students.[72] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.[73]

The Union Area School District received a $452,936 supplement for special education services in 2010.[74] For the 2011–12 and 2012-13 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required.[75][76]

Gifted education

Union Area School District Administration reported that 0.12% of its students were gifted in 2009. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted.[77] In 2008 the District reported that 38 of its pupils were identified as gifted. 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.[78][79]

Wellness policy

Union Area School Board established a district wellness policy.[80] The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. At Union Area they prohibit birthday parties and holiday parties. An energy drink brought to school is confiscated.[81] The policy is a state mandate and federal legislation (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[82]

The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus.[83] The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Union Area School District offers both a free/reduced price school breakfast and free or reduced-price lunch to low-income children. The program is funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.[84]

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. An annual operating budget is prepared by school district administrative officials. A uniform form is furnished by the PDE and submitted to the board of school directors for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year on July 1.

Under Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.[85]

In 2011, Union Area School District employed 62 teachers and administrators. The average teacher salary in Union Area School District was $52,445 a year, while the cost of the benefits the teachers received was $15,445 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $67,891.[86]

In 2009, Union Area School District reported employing 69 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $54,256 and a top salary of $104,000.[87] The teacher's work day is 7 hours 30 minutes (including a 30 minutes duty-free lunch) with 186 days in the contract year. Teachers who are required to work after the school day receive $22 hourly compensation. The teachers receive a benefits package which includes: a defined benefit pension, a retirement bonus of up to $22,000 plus payment for unused sick days, health insurance, dental insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid emergency days, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, life insurance, and other benefits.[88] As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation.[89]

Union Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $871.91 per pupil which ranked 122nd in the Commonwealth. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[90] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association collects and maintains statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania.

In 2008, Union Area School district administration reported that per pupil spending was $10,359. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $11,707.69.[91] Among the states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[92] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[93] The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[94]

Reserves In 2008, the Union Area School District reported a balance of $500,000 in its unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $467,204.[95] In 2010, Union Area School District Administration reported an increase to $1,022,615 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The District reported $500,000 in its unreserved-designated fund in 2010. Pennsylvania public school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.[96]

Audit In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the Union Area School District. The findings were reported to the School Board and the District's administration. The audit found: Reporting Errors, Internal Control Weaknesses, and Lack of Documentation Supporting Pupil Transportation Reimbursement. The District failed to retain records and to make several mandated data collections.[97]

Tuition Students who live in the Union Area School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Union Memorial Elementary School - $8,548.37, Union Area Junior Senior High School - 8,326.95.[98]

Union Area School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax,[99] a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government.[100] Interest earnings on accounts also provide nontax income to the district. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the level of the individual's personal wealth.[101]

State basic education funding

For the 2012-13 school year, Union Area School District received $4,570,084.[102] 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 program. Union Area School District received $58,176. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[103] 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, Union Area School District received a $4,511,908 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[104][105] Additionally, the Union Area School District received $58,176 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount was a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011.[106] 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.[107] In 2010, the district reported that 333 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[108]

In the 2010-11 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.74% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $4,803,569. Among the districts in Lawrence County, the highest increase went to New Castle Area School District which got a 6.51% 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.[109] 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 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.[110]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 3.63% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $4,675,666. Among the districts in Lawrence County, the highest increase went to Wilmington Area School District which got a 4.36%. Ninety school Pennsylvania public school districts received a 2% increase. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received a 22.31% increase in state basic education funding in 2009.[111] The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal.[112] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.[113][114]

The state Basic Education Funding to the district in 2008-09 was $4,511,908.12. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 311 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[115]

Accountability Block Grants

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, Union Area School District applied for and received $157,905 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district uses the funding to provide Pre-Kindergarten for 20 children.[116][117]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. The School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07 or in 2007-08. Union Area School District received $74,691 in 2008-09.[118] In Lawrence County the highest award was given to New Castle Area School District - 331,805. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. In 2010, Classrooms for the Future funding was curtailed statewide due to a massive state financial crisis.

Federal Stimulus grant

Union Area School District received an extra $1,425,913 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[119][120] The funding was limited to the 2009–10 and 2010-2011 school years.[121] Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time expenditures like: acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top grant

Union Area School District officials did not apply for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided nearly one-half million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[122] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[123] Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.[124][125][126]

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2012-13 were set by the school board at 14.4200 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region.[127] Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75-85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.[128] When the school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties.[129] In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board (STEB) were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.[130]

  • 2011-12 - 14.4200 mills.[131]
  • 2010-11 - 14.4200 mills [132]
  • 2009-10 - 13.8400 mills.[133]
  • 2008-09 - 13.0700 mills.[134]
  • 2007-08 - 12.3100 mills.[135]
  • 2006-07 - 11.7500 mills.[136]
  • 2005-06 - 10.7500 mills.[137]

The average yearly property tax paid by Lawrence County residents amounts to about 2.94% of their yearly income. Lawrence County ranked 636th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.[138] 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.[139] 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%).[140]

Act 1 Adjusted Index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not permitted to raise property taxes above their annual Index unless they either: allow voters to vote by referendum or they receive an exception from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The base index for the school year is published by the PDE in the fall of each year. Each individual school district's Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as local property values and the personal income of district residents. Originally, Act 1 or 2006 included 10 exceptions: 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.[141] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[142] 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.[143][144]

The School District Adjusted Index for the School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[145]

For the 2012-13 budget year, 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.[148]

For the 2011-12 school year, Union Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Union Area School Board has the option of adopting either 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index. A specific timeline for these decisions is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[149]

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.[150]

Property tax relief

In 2012, Union Area School District approved homestead residents received $157.[151] In 2010, property tax relief for 1,550 approved residents of Union Area School District was set at $157.[152] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Union Area School District was also $161 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 6,534 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Blair County, the highest tax relief went to New Castle Area School District which was set at $224.[153] The highest property tax relief, among Pennsylvania school districts, went to the homesteads of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County which received $632 per approved homestead in 2010. Chester-Upland School District has consistently been the top recipient since the programs inception.[154] 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 (40,000 m2) and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Lawrence County, 51.25% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[155]

Other grants

Union Area School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants, Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the 21st Century learning grants.

Extracurriculars

Union Area School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive and costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and PIAA regulations.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[156]

Sports

The District funds:

Junior High School Sports

According to PIAA directory July 2012 [157]

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