Montour School District

Montour School District
Address
233 Clever Road McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, Allegheny, 15136 USA
Information
Type	Public
Superintendent	Dr. Donald E. Boyer
Grades	K-12
Enrollment	3004 (2009-2010)
Kindergarten	218
Grade 1	178
Grade 2	212
Grade 3	179
Grade 4	236
Grade 5	212
Grade 6	214
Grade 7	247
Grade 8	245
Grade 9	249
Grade 10	265
Grade 11	251
Grade 12	250
Other	Enrollment declining to 2600 by 2019 [1]

The Montour School District serves Kennedy Township, Robinson Township, Ingram, Thornburg and Pennsbury Village, which are western suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States.

School Board Members

Ed Miller, George Dudash, Dean Caliguire, Tom Barclay, Scott Suess, Duane Faith, Ann Mazza, Cynthia Morrow, John Moismann, Ron Smith, Joyce Snell

Member schools

• Montour High School (Grades 9-12)
• David E. Williams Middle School (Grades 5-8)
• Burkett Elementary (Grades K-4)
• Forest Grove Elementary (Grades K-4)
• Ingram Elementary (Grades K-4) [Note: In 1988, the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation designated the school, which was built in 1914, a historic landmark.]

Academic achievement

The Montour School District was ranked 34th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania school districts in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 1 year of science.^[2] In 2008, the school district ranked 31st out of 105 Western Pennsylvania districts and was 111th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts. In 2007, the district ranked 120th out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts for student academic achievement.

Graduation Rate:
2009 - 98%^[3]
2008 - 98%
2007 - 91% ^[4]

High school

In 2009, the high school was ranked 34th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools, by the Pittsburgh Business Times, for academic achievement based on three years of the PSSAs on: reading, writing, math and one year of science.^[5]

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading
2009 - 81% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 65% of 11th graders on grade level.
2008 - 77%, State - 65%
2007 - 71%, State - 65%

11th Grade Math:
2009 - 68% on grade level. In Pennsylvania, 56% of 11th graders are on grade level.^[6]
2008 - 71%, State - 56%
2007 - 61%, State - 53%

11th Grade Science:
2009 - 48% on grade level. State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
2008 - 42%, State - 40% ^[7]

College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 36% of the Montour 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.^[8] 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.^[9] 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 - The high school does not offer the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits while still enrolled in high school. Over 400 school districts in Pennsylvania offer this state funded program.^[10][11]

David E Williams Middle School

The middle school was ranked 39 out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 1 year of science.^[12]

8th Grade Reading: on grade level
2009 - 90%, State - 80%
2008 - 82%, State - 78%^[13]

8th Grade Math: on grade level
2009 - 79%, State: 71%
2008 - 68%, State -70%

8th Grade Science: on grade level
2009 - 70%, State - 55%
2008 - 51%, State: 52%.

7th Grade Reading:
2009 - 77%, State: 71%^[14]
2008 - 84%, State - 70%

7th Grade Math:
2009 - 81% on grade level. State: 75% of 7th graders were on grade level.^[15]
2008 - 90%, State - 70% ^[16]

Elementary School

• Forest Grove Elementary School was ranked 162nd out of 327 Western Pennsylvania 3rd grades for academic achievement in reading, math and writing.^[17]

• Ingram Elementary School ranked 301st out of 327.

• J. W. Burkett Elementary School ranked 30th.

Advanced Placement classes

• Calculus
• English Language and Composition
• English Literature and Composition
• European History

Budget

In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $62,648 for 181 days worked. The district ranked fourth in Allegheny County for average teacher salary in 2007. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977.^[18] In Pennsylvania the average salary of the 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977.

Montour School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $1,127 per pupil. The district ranked 33rd of 500 school districts for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.^[19] The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007-08 school year was $122,165.^[20] Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.^[21]

In April 2010, Montour School District reported a fund balance of $28.7 million. This far exceeds the Pennsylvania Department of Education cap of 8% of the budget. According to state regulations, the board will not be permitted to raise taxes until the fund balance is under the 8% cap.^[22] In 2008, the district reported an unreserved-designated fund balance of $20,294,864.00 and a unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $3,800,000.00.^[23]

State basic education funding

In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $3,760,864. 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. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $3,687,122. In Pennsylvania, a 2% increase in funding was the lowest. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received an increase of over 22%. Fifteen school districts received Basic Education increases in excess of 10%^[24] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation made in the Governor's budget proposal released in February each year.

Federal Stimulus Funding

The district received $1,276,615 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.^[25] According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 386 students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.^[26] This funding is for the 2009-2011 school years

Race to the Top grant

Montour School District officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.^[27] 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.^[28] Pennsylvania was not approved in the first round of the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state Race To The Top grant application judging will occur in June 2010.^[29]

Real estate taxes

The Montour School Board set the property tax rates in 2009-10 at 18.9000 mills.^[30] Property tax rates in 2008-2009 were set at 18.9000 mills.^[31] In 2007 the rate was 18.9000 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.

Property tax relief

The property tax relief amount for the Montour School District was set at $119 for 7,752 approved applicants by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in May 2010.^[32]

In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Montour School District was $122 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 7,589 property owners applied for the tax relief. 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 Allegheny County, 60% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.^[33]

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 people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

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%).^[34]

Enrollment and Consolidation

Montour School District enrollment has been projected by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to be declining to 3600 by 2019. A proposal has been put forward by David Wassel, a prominent Allegheny County resident, to consolidate Allegheny County school districts to save tax dollars and improve student services. The plan calls for a proposed district that includes Carlynton School District, Montour School District and Sto-Rox School District.^[35]

Over the next 10 years, rural Pennsylvania school enrollment is projected to decrease 8 percent. The most significant enrollment decline is projected to be 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).^[36]

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.^[37]

Wellness policy

Montour School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246.^[38] 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. The policy is in response to state mandates 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."

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 and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, 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.^[39]

The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.^[40]

Athletics

Montour's athletic teams are called the Spartans, and the school colors are black and athletic gold. The school currently offers football, cross country, girls tennis, golf, girls volleyball and soccer in the fall; indoor track, swimming, wrestling, basketball, bowling, and ice hockey in the winter; and baseball, softball, boys volleyball, boys tennis, and track and field in the spring.

References:

1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Montour School District Enrollment and Projections, January 2009
2. ^ Western Pennsylvania School District Rankings, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
3. ^ http://paayp.emetric.net/Content/reportcards/RC09D103026303.PDF Montour School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009
4. ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children - High school Graduation Rates 2007
5. ^ The Rankings: 11th Grade, Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools, Pittsburgh Business Times. May 15, 2009
6. ^ 2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/school_assessments/7442
7. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report on Science PSSA 2008 August 2008.
8. ^ Pennsylvania College Remediation Report http://www.scribd.com/doc/23970364/Pennsylvania-College-Remediation-Report
9. ^ National Center for Education Statistics - IPEDS 2009
10. ^ Dual Enrollment Guidlelines 2010-2011
11. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Dual Enrollment Grants 2009-10
12. ^ The Rankings, Eighth Grade Western Pennsylvania Schools Rankings, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
13. ^ Pennsylvania Reading, Math, Science and Writing PSSA Results 2009 as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, August 2009.
14. ^ Pennsylvania Reading, Math, Science and Writing PSSA Results by School and Grade 2009
15. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Results Math and Reading School 2009
16. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education PSSA Results Mathematics and Reading by School and Grade 2008
17. ^ http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/05/18/focus8.html?q=western%20school%20ranking%20pittsburgh Pittsburgh Business Times 3rd grades in Western Pennsylvania in May 2009
18. ^ Fenton, Jacob, Average classroom teacher salary in Allegheny County, 2006-07. The Morning Call. accessed March 2009.
19. ^ Fenton, Jacob. Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?, The Morning Call, Feb 2009.
20. ^ Public School Employee Salaries 2007-08 - 11th Annual, Pennsylvania School Board Association, October 2009
21. ^ Act 93 Agreement Montour School District 2009
22. ^ David, Brian. Montour pinched pennies with millions in reserve, Pittsburgh Post Gazette. April 26, 2010.
23. ^ General Reserved Fund Balance by School District 1996-2008, Pennsylvania Department of Education Report 2008.
24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education report on School District Funding 2009-10. publicly released October 2009.
25. ^ Allegheny County ARRA FUNDING http://www.recovery.pa.gov/
26. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Funding Report by LEA 2009.
27. ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=7201&PageID=510952&mode=2&contentid=http://pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/news_releases/governor_s_office/news_releases/pennsylvania_s__race_to_the_top__fueled_by_effective_reforms__strong_local_support.html
28. ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support
29. ^ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
30. ^ Allegheny County Treasurer's Office.. "School District Tax Millages 2009 in Allegheny County". http://www.alleghenycounty.us/treasure/millsd.asp?Year=2009. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
31. ^ Real Estate Tax Millage by School District, Pennsylvania Department of Finance. 2009
32. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Tax Relief per Homestead and Farmstead. May 5, 2010.
33. ^ Special Report Pennsylvania Property Tax Relief, Auditor General Office, 2-23-2010.
34. ^ New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners, Tax Foundation, September 22, 2009.
35. ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09172/978701-109.stm Wassel, David, The Next Page: For a New Allegheny County -- 26 school districts, 26 municipalities. The PostGazette.com. June 21, 2009.
36. ^ "Research Analyzes Rural School District Enrollment and Building Capacity", The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. October 2009.
37. ^ Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, Study of the Cost Effectiveness of Consolidating Pennsylvania School Districts, 2007.
38. ^ Montour School Board Policy Manual
39. ^ Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive, Pennsylvania Department of Education — Division of Food and Nutrition. July 2008
40. ^ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005

External links

• Montour School District