Mohawk Area School District

"Masd" redirects here. In horticulture, this refers to Masdevallia orchids.
Mohawk Area School District (MASD)

"We Achieve"
Address
325 Mohawk School Road
Western Pennsylvania
Bessemer, Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, 16112-0025
United States
Coordinates 40.978545,-80.454359
Information
Type Public
Opened 1963 HS, 1983 Elem.
Status Active
Superintendent Kathy Kwolek (salary $105,000 in 2011)
Administrator Jamie Stevens (salary $82,224 in 2012)
Principal Raymond Omar, HS (salary $91,500 in 2012)
Principal Bradlee Meehan, ES (salary $77,500 in 2012)
Vice principal Gregory Ferencak (salary $70,000 in 2012)
Head teacher James Glynn, Psychologist ($75,314 in 2012)
Faculty 116 teachers 2011
Grades K-12
Enrollment 1,516 pupils (2011) [1]
 • Kindergarten 93
 • Grade 1 106
 • Grade 2 97
 • Grade 3 110
 • Grade 4 97
 • Grade 5 114
 • Grade 6 116
 • Grade 7 129
 • Grade 8 143
 • Grade 9 127
 • Grade 10 133
 • Grade 11 108
 • Grade 12 143
 • Other Enrollment projected to be 1390 in 2020[2]
Hours in school day 7:50-2:36 High School, 9:00-3:35 Elementary
Campus type Public School System
Color(s) Red, Black, & White
Athletics conference WPIAL Dist. 7
Sports Football, Baseball, Track/Field, Cross Country, Basketball, Golf, Volleyball, Softball, Soccer
Newspaper Mohawk News
Yearbook The Totem
Budget $20,703,767 (2012)[3]
Per pupil spending $10,277 in 2008
Website http://mohawk.k12.pa.us/mohawk/site/default.asp

Mohawk Area School District is a rural, public school system in Bessemer, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. Mohawk Area School District encompasses approximately 101 square miles (260 km2). It is the largest school district in Lawrence County by area, serving the boroughs of Bessemer, New Beaver and SNPJ, as well as the townships of Mahoning, Little Beaver, and North Beaver. According to 2010 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 10,850 people. In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $17,048, while the median family income was $42,756.[4] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 [5] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[6] In school year 2009-10 the Mohawk Area School District provided basic educational services to 1,592 pupils. Mohawk Area School District employed: 129 teachers, 105 full-time and part-time support personnel and 12 administrators. Mohawk Area School District received more than $12.7 million in state funding in school year 2009-10.

Mohawk Area School District operates 2 schools:Mohawk Elementary School and Mohawk Junior Senior High School. The high school was built in 1963. In 1983, the elementary was constructed in an adjacent space of land to the high school. The district produces a newsletter/newspaper called "The Mohawk News" that is delivered to every addressee in the school district every season.

The District's bus garage holds 32 buses. The Lawrence County Career and Technical Center is an alternative facility for students in grades 10-12. In 2008-2009 the district uses School Reach to contact parents of students in the district about important events and emergencies. Students who are in Grades 10 to 12 can attend Lawrence County Career & Technical Center (LCCTC).

Governance

The 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.[7] 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 a "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.[8]

Teacher Evaluation study

In 2011, Mohawk Area School District agreed to participate in a pilot program to develop a new way to evaluate public school teachers and principals that, in part, takes into account student achievement. Mohawk Area School District was the only Lawrence County school district that participated.[9] The pilot program had 104 K-12 entities, including: nine career and technical centers, nine charter schools and nine intermediate units. Beginning in January 2012, participating school districts will use the new evaluation method and provide feedback to the Department of Education. This new evaluation was not used to determine an educator’s official 2011-12 assessment. Under the new evaluation system, 50% of the evaluation of a teacher will be based on an observation divided into four categories: planning and preparation, classroom environment, instruction, and professional responsibilities. The other half will be based on student achievement (15 percent will be building-level data, 15 percent will be teacher-specific data, and 20 percent will be elective). The new evaluation system has both announced and unannounced observations. There are meetings between the teacher and evaluator before and after the direct observation of a lesson.[10]

Academic achievement

Mohawk Area School District was ranked 270th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2012.[11] The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing math and science.[12] 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.

Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2010, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Mohawk Area School District ranked 402nd In 2009, the district was 396th. [16] 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."[17]

District AYP status history

In 2012, Mohawk Area School District achieved AYP status.[18] In 2011, Mohawk Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.[19] Mohawk Area School District achieved AYP status each year from 2004 to 2010, while in 2003 the District was in Warning status due to lagging student achievement.[20]

Graduation rate

In 2012, Mohawk Area School District’s graduation rate was 91%.[21] In 2011, the graduation rate was 87.9%.[22] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. High School's rate was % for 2010.[23]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

High school

Mohawk Junior Senior High School is located at 385 Mohawk School Road, Bessemer. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 783 pupils in grades 7th through 12th, with 226 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced-price lunch. The school is a federally designated Title I school. The school employed 59 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[28] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[29]

In 2012, Mohawk Area Junior Senior High School declined to Warning AYP status.[30] In 2011, Mohawk Area Junior Senior High School achieved AYP status.[31]

PSSA results

11th Grade Reading:

11th Grade Math:

11th Grade Science:

College remediation rate

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 18% of the Mohawk Senior High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges.[48] 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.[49] 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

Mohawk Junior Senior 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. Mohawk Area School District has partnered with: Robert Morris University, University of Pittsburgh and California University of Pennsylvania.[50] The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[51] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[52]

For the 2009-10 funding year, Mohawk School District received a state grant of $10,163 for the program.[53]

SAT scores

In 2012, 68 Mohawk Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 482. The Math average score was 503. The Writing average score was 466. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the USA, 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, 73 Mohawk Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 493. The Math average score was 485. The Writing average score was 446.[54] Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479.[55] 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.[56]

Graduation requirements

Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Mohawk Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 26 credits to graduate, including: math 4 credits, English 4 credits, social studies 4 credits, science 3 credits, Physical Education 2 credits, Health 0.5 credit, Arts/Humanities 2 credits, Personal Finance 0.5 credits, Graduation Project 0.5 credits, Freshman Rotation 1 credit, and electives 4.5 credits. Freshman Rotation consists of 9 weeks each of Family & Consumer Education, Child Health & Child Care, Student Graduation Project and Environmental Science.[57]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students were required to 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.[58] 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.[59]

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.[60][61][62] 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.[63] 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.[64] 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.

Junior high school

PSSA Results:

8th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 81% on grade level (9% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level.[65]
  • 2011 - 81% (5% below basic) State - 81.8%
  • 2010 - 79% (7% below basic). State - 81%
  • 2009 - 76% (12% below basic), State - 80%
  • 2008 - 75% (14% below basic), State - 78% [66]
  • 2007 - 71% (11% below basic), State - 75%

8th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 77% (8% below basic). State - 76%
  • 2011 - 74% (10% below basic). State - 76.9%
  • 2010 - 65% (15% below basic). State - 75% [67]
  • 2009 - 66% (12% below basic). State - 71% [68]
  • 2008 - 64% (18% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - 47% (26% below basic). State - 68%

8th Grade Science:

7th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 65% on grade level (13% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2011 - 70% (7% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2010 - 77% (10% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2009 - 61% (17% below basic). State - 71%
  • 2008 - 70% (13% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - % (% below basic). State - 67%

7th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 80% on grade level (7% below basic). State - 80%
  • 2011 - 81% (5% below basic). State - 78.6%
  • 2010 - 73% (12% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2009 - 72% (11% below basic), State - 75%
  • 2008 - 74% (12% below basic), State - 71%
  • 2007 - % (% below basic), State - 67%

Science in Motion Mohawk Junior Senior High School and the Mohawk 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.[72] Westminster College provided the program.

Elementary school

Mohawk Elementary School is located at 351 Mohawk School Road, Bessemer. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the school reported an enrollment of 733 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 261 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 57 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.[73] According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[74] In 2012, Mohawk Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in reading. In 2011, Mohawk Elementary School achieved AYP status.[75][76]

6th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 86% (5% below basic). State - 68%
  • 2011 - 74% (12% below basic). State - 69.9%
  • 2010 - 75% (9% below basic). State - 68%
  • 2009 - 70% (13% below basic), State - 67%
  • 2008 - 67% (15% below basic), State - 67%
  • 2007 - 70% (10% below basic), State - 63%

6th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 93%, 74% advanced. State - 77%
  • 2011 - 88%, 63% advanced. State - 78.8%
  • 2010 - 88% (3% below basic). State - 78%
  • 2009 - 85%, 62% advanced. State - 75%
  • 2008 - 84%, 62% advanced. State - 72%
  • 2007 - 86%, 67% advanced. State - 69%

5th Grade Reading:

  • 2012 - 59% (19% below basic). State - 65%
  • 2011 - 85% (4% below basic). State - 67.3%
  • 2010 - 67% (5% below basic). State - 64%
  • 2009 - 61% (18% below basic). State - 64%
  • 2008 - 53% (20% below basic). State - 62%
  • 2007 - 49% (20% below basic). State - 60%

5th Grade Math:

  • 2012 - 65% (9% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2011 - 90%, 59% advanced. State - 74%
  • 2010 - 84% (2% below basic). State - 76.3%
  • 2009 - 84%, 55% advanced. State - 73%
  • 2008 - 72% (11% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2007 - 74% (10% below basic). State - 71%

4th Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 77% (10% below basic). State - 72%
  • 2011 - 79% (% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2010 - 83% (7% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2009 - 63% (12% below basic). State - 72%
  • 2008 - 57% (17% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - 67% (13% below basic). State - 60%
4th Grade Math
  • 2012 - 87% (5% below basic). State - 82%
  • 2011 - 94% (3% below basic). State - 85%
  • 2010 - 95% (3% below basic). State - 84%
  • 2009 - 79% (7% below basic). State - 81%
  • 2008 - 84% (13% below basic). State - 80%
  • 2007 - 73% (14% below basic). State - 78%

4th Grade Science

3rd Grade Reading
  • 2012 - 83%, (10% below basic). State - 74%
  • 2011 - 79%, (13% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2010 - 82%, (9% below basic). State - 75%
  • 2009 - 84%, (4% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2008 - 78%, (6% below basic). State - 70%
  • 2007 - 61%, (17% below basic). State - 72%
3rd Grade Math
  • 2012 - 80%, (10% below basic). State - 80%
  • 2011 - 92%, (2% below basic). State - 83%
  • 2010 - 97%, (0% below basic). State - 84%
  • 2009 - 91%, (0% below basic). State - 81%
  • 2008 - 85%, (0% below basic). State - 80%
  • 2007 - 85%, (0% below basic). State - 78%

Special education

In December 2010, Mohawk Area School District administration reported that 170 pupils or 10.9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 43.5% of the identified students having a specific learning disability.[77] In December 2009, Mohawk Area School District administration reported that 191 pupils or 11.6% 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.[78] 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 order to comply with state and federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act rules and regulations, Mohawk Area School District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress.[79] To identify students who may be eligible for special education services, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Special Education administration. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, Mohawk Area School District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the District's Special Education Department.[80][81][82][83]

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.[84] 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.[85] 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.[86] 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.[87] In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.[88]

Mohawk Area School District received a $1,132,681 supplement for special education services in 2010.[89] 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.[90][91]

Gifted education

Mohawk Area School District Administration reported that 39 or 2.45% of its students were gifted in 2009. In 2008 the District reported that 43 students were identified as gifted. 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.[92] By law, Mohawk Area School 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. The District has 60 calendar days to complete the evaluation from the date the written request is received. 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.[93][94]

School safety and bullying

Mohawk Area School District administration reported there were zero incidents of bullying in the district in 2012.[95]

Mohawk Area School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[96] All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and must review their policy every three years. Additionally, the District must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[97] The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.[98][99]

Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.[100]

Enrollment

According to Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment reports, there are were 1,594 students enrolled in K-12 in 2009–10 school year at Mohawk Area School District. There were 145 students in the Class of 2009. The district's class of 2012 had 106 students. Enrollment is projected to further decline to 1390 students by 2020.<[101] In 2008, the district administrative costs were $659.75 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[102] A 2007 study of Pennsylvania public school spending, conducted by Standard and Poor's, examined the consolidation of low enrollment public school districts (less than 3000 pupils) with neighboring districts like: Ellwood City Area School District, Union Area School District, and New Castle Area School District. The study found that consolidation of the administration with an adjacent public school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings which varied by district.[103]

According to a 2009 school district administration consolidation proposal by Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to reduce property taxes.[104] Consolidation of two central administrations into one would not require the closing of any schools. The Governor's proposal called for the savings to be redirected to improving lagging reading and science achievement, to enriching the academic programs or to reducing residents' property taxes.[105]

Over the decade 2000-2010, rural Pennsylvania public school district enrollment decreased 8 percent.[106] As the enrollment declined, per pupil administrative costs of the schools continue to rise. In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants released a report finding that the state would save hundreds of millions of tax dollars, by cutting the number of school administrations in half through consolidation, with no impact on programs offered to students.[107]

The Commonwealth of 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. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity.[108] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the 49 respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[109]

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). 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.[110]

In 2011, Mohawk Area School District employed 129 teachers and administrators. The average teacher salary in Mohawk Area School District was $60,849 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $16,304.95 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $74,625.64.[111]

In 2009, Mohawk Area School District reported employing 141 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $58,194 and a top salary of $112,641.[112] The teacher’s work day is 7 hours 10 minutes (includes a 30-minute duty-free lunch), with days in a 185-day contract year. Teachers receive additional pay at an hourly rate for hours worked outside of the school day. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 1 paid emergency day, 3 paid bereavement days, 12 paid sick days (10 are state mandated), and other benefits.[113] 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.[114]

Mohawk Area School District administrative costs was $659.75 per pupil, in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[115]

Per pupil spending In 2008 the Mohawk Area School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $10,277. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $12,619.17.[116] Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09.[117] In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.[118] The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.[119]

Reserves In 2008, Mohawk Area School District reported a balance of zero in its unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $9,377,859.[120] In 2010, Mohawk Area Administration reported $1,668,877.00 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The District reported $8,795,472 in its unreserved-designated fund in 2010. Total reserves were $10,464,349. 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.[121]

Audit In January 2013, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the District. The findings were reported to the School Board and the District’s administration.[122]

Tuition Students who live in the 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 Mohawk Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each public school district. It is the amount that 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 Mohawk Area School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Mohawk Elementary School - $8,246.99, Mohawl Junior Senior High School - $8,886.63.[123]

Mohawk Area School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1%,[124] a property tax, per capita taxes - $10, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government.[125] 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.[126]

State basic education funding

For the 2012-13 school year, Mohawk Area School District received $9,724,619.[127] 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. Mohawk Area School District received $144,535 in ABG funding. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS.[128] This amount was a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 state appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Governor Corbett’s first two budgets 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, Mohawk Area School District received a $9,580,084.28 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding.[129][130] Additionally, Mohawk Area School District received $144,535 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.[131] 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.[132] In 2010, Mohawk Area School District reported that 514 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.[133]

In the 2010-11 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $10,049,045 to Mohawk Area School District. 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.[134] 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.[135]

In the 2009-2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.84% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $9,852,008. Among the districts in Lawrence County, the highest increase went to Wilmington Area School District which got a 3.96%. 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.[136] 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.[137] 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.[138][139]

The state Basic Education Funding to the Mohawk Area School District in 2008-09 was $9,580,084.28. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 511 Mohawk Area School District students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[140]

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, the district applied for and received $392,303 in addition to all other state and federal funding. Mohawk Area School District uses the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for 7 years in 2010-11.[141][142]

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, Mathematics) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006 to 2009. Mohawk Area School District did not apply to participate in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the District received $213,495. The District received $45,413 in 2008-09 for a total funding of $258,908.[143] 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.

Science It’s Elementary grant

Mohawk Elementary School successfully applied to participate and received a Science It’s Elementary grant in 2008-09. For the 2008-09 school year, the program was offered in 143 schools reaching 2,847 teachers and 66,973 students across Pennsylvania.[144] In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education initiated an effort to improve science instruction in the Commonwealth’s public elementary schools. Called Science: It’s Elementary, the program is a hands on instruction approach for elementary science classes that develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills.[145] To encourage schools to adopt the program’s standards aligned curriculum, the state provided a grant to cover the costs of materials and extensive mandatory teacher training.[146] Mohawk Area School District was required to develop a three-year implementation plan for the participating school. They had to appoint a district liaison who was paid $3000 by PDE to serve as the conduit of all information between the district and the Department and its agents along with submitting orders and distributing supplies to implementing teachers. For the 2006-07 state education budget, $10 million was allocated. The 2006-07 State Education Budget provided $635 million in new spending for pre-K through 12th grades for the 2006-07 school year. This marks an 8-percent increase over 2005-06 public school funding.[147] The grant program was expanded to $14.5 million in the 2008-09 budget. The grant was discontinued by Governor Rendell in 2010, due to a state budget crisis.

Other grants

Mohawk Area School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education grants, Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants for after school programs.

Federal Stimulus grant

Mohawk Area School District received an extra $2.31 million in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students.[148][149] The funding was limited to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years.[150] 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

Mohawk Area School District officials applied for the federal Race to the Top grant which would have provided nearly one million dollars in additional federal funding to improve student academic achievement.[151] 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.[152] 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.[153][154][155]

Real estate taxes

Property tax rates in 2012-13 were set by the Mohawk Area School Board at 13.09 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.[156] 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.[157] 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.[158] 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.[159]

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.[167] 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.[168] 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%).[169]

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.[170] In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six exceptions to the Act 1 Index.[171] 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.[172][173]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Mohawk Area School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.[174]

  • 2006-07 - 5.7%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007-08 - 5.0%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008-09 - 6.9%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009-10 - 6.0%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010-11 - 4.1%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011-12 - 2.0%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.4%, Base 1.7% [175]
  • 2013-14 - 2.4%, Base 1.7% [176]

For the 2012-13 budget year, Mohawk Area 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.[177]

For the 2011-12 school year, the Mohawk Area School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Mohawk 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.[178]

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.[179]

The Mohawk Area School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2010-11.[180] For the 2009-10 school budget, the Mohawk Area School Board applied for one exception to exceed the Index: School Construction Grandfathered Debt.[181] 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.[182]

Property tax relief

In 2012, Mohawk Area School District approved homestead residents received $163.[183] In 2010, property tax relief for 2,956 approved residents of Mohawk Area School District was set at $162.[184] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Area School District was also $171 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,821 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Lawrence County, the highest tax relief went to New Castle Area School District which was set at $224.[185] 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.[186] 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.[187]

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 have an income of substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This tax rebate can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief. In 2012, Pennsylvania Secretary of the Treasury reported issuing more than half a million property tax rebates totaling $238 million.[188] The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery. Property tax rebates are increased by an additional 50 percent for senior households in the state, so long as those households have incomes under $30,000 and pay more than 15% of their income in property taxes.[189]

Renovations

The renovations to the high school started in 2008. The plans were to add an auxiliary gym to the front of the school and an office/nurse's wing to the front, also. Other additions were and addition to the former "senior hall," now called the Jr. High wing. The hallway has science, English, and reading rooms. The expected end is Summer of 2010. With the beginning of the 2010-11 school year approaching, school officials are hopeful for the finishing of the construction. As of the fall of 2009, the halfway mark of the projects was made.

Description
Built Auxiliary Gym, Office Wing, Fitness Center and Jr. High Wing
Revisions to electrical/plumbing sections
Revisions to lighting, flooring, interior, etc.
Revisions to Cafeteria & Gymnasium
Revisions to Auditorium/Music Dept.
Revisions to Science, Shop Area, and Library
Revisions to the Second Floor
Part 2 of 2 of Asbestos removal
Revisions to the Home Ec Room & Technology Dept.
Construction was complete in Fall of 2010

This project cost $25 million.

Nuclear emergency

If such case of a nuclear emergency at the Beaver Valley Nuclear Generating Station residents would take shelter at Mohawk High School. More information: Emergency Evacuation

Extracurriculars

Mohawk 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.[190][191]

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.[192]

Sports

The District funds:

Boys
Girls
  • Basketball - AA
  • Cross Country - A
  • Soccer (Fall) - A
  • Softball - AA
  • Track and Field - AA
  • Volleyball

Junior High School Sports

Boys
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Track and Field

Girls
  • Basketball
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

According to PIAA directory July 2012 [193]

Wellness policy

Mohawk Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2008.[194] 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." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.[195]

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

Mohawk Area District offers a free 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.[197]

References

  1. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - Mohawk Area School District, 2012
  2. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2011). "Enrollment and Projections by school district".
  3. ↑ Mohawk Area School Board Secretary, Mohawk Area School Board Meeting Minutes June 18, 2012, June 18, 2012
  4. ↑ US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
  5. ↑ US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts".
  6. ↑ US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
  7. ↑ Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
  8. ↑ The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. "The Pennsylvania Project". Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  9. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2011). "More Than 100 Entities Sign Up to Participate in Teacher and Principal Evaluation Pilot Program".
  10. ↑ Mason, Angie., Educators: New teacher evaluation system is a lot of talk -- but so far that's good, "The York Daily Record, April 29, 2012
  11. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 6, 2012). "Guide to Pennsylvania Schools Statewide ranking".
  12. ↑ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2012". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 5, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2011". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 2011.
  14. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 30, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2010".
  15. ↑ "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007.
  16. ↑ Pittsburgh Business Times, Statewide Overachivers Ranking Information, April 2010
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  19. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Public School District AYP History, 2011
  20. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania District AYP History 2003-2010, 2011
  21. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Mohawk Area School District AYP Data Table 2012".
  22. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mohawk Area School District AYP Data Table, September 29, 2011
  23. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
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  37. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2007). "PSSA Math and Reading results".
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  40. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mohawk Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2010, October 20, 2010
  41. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mohawk Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2009, September 14, 2009
  42. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mohawk Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card 2008, August 15, 2008
  43. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mohawk Junior Senior High School Academic Achievement Report Card, 2007
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  46. ↑ The Times-Tribune (2009). "Grading Our Schools database, 2009 Science PSSA results".
  47. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Report on PSSA Science results by school and grade 2008".
  48. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 20, 2009). "Pennsylvania College Remediation Report,".
  49. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2008
  50. ↑ Mohawk Area School District Administration, College in High School Programs, 2012
  51. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Dual Enrollment Guidelines".
  52. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (March 2010). "Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement".
  53. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Allocations to school districts for 2010-11".
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  55. ↑ College Board (September 2011). "SAT Scores State By State - Pennsylvania".
  56. ↑ "While U.S. SAT scores dip across the board, N.J. test-takers hold steady". NJ.com. September 2011.
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  58. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education. "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  59. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Proposed changes to Chapter 4, May 10, 2012
  60. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Keystone Exam Overview" (PDF).
  61. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  62. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (2010). "Rules and Regulation Title 22 PA School Code CH. 4".
  63. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Board of Education Finalizes Adoption of Pennsylvania Common Core State Academic Standards and High School Graduation Requirements, March 14, 2013
  64. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Keystone Exams".
  65. ↑ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (October 15, 2012). "How is your school doing?".
  66. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 15, 2008). "Reading and Math PSSA 2008 by Schools".
  67. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (September 14, 2010). "2010 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing Results".
  68. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  69. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2010). "Science PSSA 2010 by Schools".
  70. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 2009). "Science PSSA 2009 by Schools".
  71. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education Report (August 15, 2008). "Science PSSA 2008 by Schools".
  72. ↑ The Pennsylvania Basic Education/Higher Education Science and Technology Partnership, Science in Motion annual report, 2012
  73. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Care Data – Mohawk Elementary School, 2011
  74. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Professional Qualifications of Teachers Mohawk Elementary School, September 29, 2011
  75. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Mohawk Elementary School AYP Overview 2012, September 21, 2012
  76. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "Mohawk Elementary School Report Card 2012".
  77. ↑ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education Services (2009–2010). "Area School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets".
  78. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Testimony Hearing on Special Education Senate Republican Policy Committee, January 2013
  79. ↑ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education (2008). "Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education Services".
  80. ↑ Mohawk Area School District Administration, Mohawk Special Education Public Awareness Notices, 2012
  81. ↑ Mohawk Area School District Administration, Mohawk Special Education Child Find and Screening, 2012
  82. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education - School District Administration (January 6, 2011). "Procedural Safeguards Notice".
  83. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (September 2005). "Gaskin Settlement Agreement Overview Facts Sheet" (PDF).
  84. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania Special Education Funding".
  85. ↑ Browne, Patrick., Senate Education Committee Hearing on Special Education Funding & Accountability testimony, November 1, 2011
  86. ↑ Kintisch, Baruch., Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony, Education Law Center, November 11, 2011
  87. ↑ Amy Morton, Executive Deputy Secretary, Public Hearing: Special Education Funding & Accountability Testimony, Pennsylvania Department of Education, November 11, 2011
  88. ↑ US Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education Clarifies Schools' Obligation to Provide Equal Opportunity to Students with Disabilities to Participate in Extracurricular Athletics, January 25, 2013
  89. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2010). "Special Education Funding from Pennsylvania State_2010-2011".
  90. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  91. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, (April 2012). "Investing in PA kids,".
  92. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (Revised December 1, 2009 Child Count (Collected July 2010)). "Gifted Students as Percentage of Total Enrollment by School District/Charter School" (PDF). Check date values in: |date= (help)
  93. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania School Board. "CHAPTER 16. Special Education For Gifted Students". Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  94. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 26, 2010). "Special Education for Gifted Students Notice of Parental rights" (PDF).
  95. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Safe School Center (2009). "Pennsylvania Safe Schools Online Reports".
  96. ↑ Mohawk Area School Board, (2008). "Bullying/Cyberbullying Policy 249,".
  97. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly (2006). "Regular Session 2007–2008 House Bill 1067, Act 61 Section 6 page 8".
  98. ↑ Center for Safe Schools of Pennsylvania (2006). "Bullying Prevention advisory".
  99. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2012). "Bullying, Hazing, and Harassment Resources".
  100. ↑ Pennsylvania State Board of Education (January 11, 2003). "Pennsylvania Academic Standards Health, Safety and Physical Education".
  101. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 2010). "School District Enrollment Data and Projections".
  102. ↑ Fenton, Jacob. (February 2009). "Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?,". The Morning Call,.
  103. ↑ Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (2007). "Study of the Cost-Effectiveness of Consolidating Pennsylvania School Districts".
  104. ↑ Edward Rendell, Governor and Mary Soderberg, Secretary of the Budget. (February 2009). "2009–10 Executive Budget Facts Pennsylvania School District Consolidation,".
  105. ↑ Murphy, Jan, (February 4, 2009). "Rendell calls for consolidation of state school districts,". The Patriot News.
  106. ↑ The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. (October 2009). "Research Analyzes Rural School District Enrollment and Building Capacity" (PDF).
  107. ↑ Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (January 2011). "Report of the Fiscal Responsibility Task Force" (PDF).
  108. ↑ 2009–10 Executive Budget Fast Facts. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
  109. ↑ Standard & Poor's School Evaluation Services. (2007). "Study of the cost-effectiveness of consolidating Pennsylvania districts Part 1".
  110. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly, Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, June 27, 2006
  111. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2012). "Investing in Pennsylvania Students".
  112. ↑ Asbury Park Press (2009). "PA. Public School Salaries".
  113. ↑ School Board. "School District Teacher Union Employment Contract 2010".
  114. ↑ Pennsylvania Delaware County Times, Teachers need to know enough is enough, April 20, 2010
  115. ↑ Fenton, Jacob., Pennsylvania School District Data: Will School Consolidation Save Money?, The Morning Call, February 2009
  116. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2009-10 Selected Data - 2009-10 Total Expenditures per ADM".
  117. ↑ United States Census Bureau (2009). "States Ranked According to Per Pupil Elementary-Secondary Public School System Finance Amounts: 2008-09" (PDF).
  118. ↑ US Census Bureau (2009). "Total and current expenditures per pupil in fall enrollment in public elementary and secondary education, by function and state or jurisdiction: 2006-07".
  119. ↑ US Census Bureau (March 2003). "Public Education Finances 2000-01 Annual Survey of Local Government Finances" (PDF).
  120. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Fund Balances by Local Education Agency 1997 to 2008".
  121. ↑ Murphy, Jan., Pennsylvania's public schools boost reserves, CentreDaily Times, September 22, 2010
  122. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (January 2013). "Mohawk Area School District Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Performance Audit Report".
  123. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2012). "Pennsylvania Public School District Tuition Rates".
  124. ↑ Pennsylvania of Community and Economic Development (2012). "Earned Income Tax".
  125. ↑ Penn State Cooperative Extension (2010). "What are the Local Taxes in Pennsylvania?, Local Tax Reform Education Project,".
  126. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. "Personal Income Taxation Guidelines date=April 2010".
  127. ↑ Senator Jake Corman (June 28, 2012). "Pennsylvania Education funding by Local School District" (PDF).
  128. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly Sen Jake Corman (June 29, 2012). "SB1466 of 2012 General Fund Appropriation".
  129. ↑ PA Senate Appropriations Committee (June 28, 2011). "School District 2011-12 Funding Report".
  130. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  131. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  132. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  133. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, District Allocations Report 2009, 2009-10
  134. ↑ Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee Education Budget information (June 30, 2010). "PA Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010-2011" (PDF).
  135. ↑ Office of the Budget (February 2010). "Pennsylvania Budget Proposal 2010,".
  136. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (October 2009). "Funding Allocations by district".
  137. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of Budget (February 2009). "Governor's Budget Proposal 2009 Pennsylvania Department of Education Budget Proposal 2009".
  138. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau., Annual Survey of Local Government Finances., 2000
  139. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau., 2008 Survey of Local Government Finances – School Systems, 2010
  140. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Funding Report by LEA, 2009
  141. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Accountability Block Grant report Grantee list 2010".
  142. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Accountability Block Grant Mid Year report".
  143. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Classrooms for the Future grants audit" (PDF).
  144. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Science: It’s Elementary Grantees Students in 143 Schools Benefit from Intensive Science Curriculum, July 22, 2008
  145. ↑ Patricia Vathis Pennsylvania Department of Education, Grants and Subsidies Science: It’s Elementary, 2006
  146. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2010 – 2011 Science: It’s Elementary Application Guidelines, July 2010
  147. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Governor Rendell Commends Teachers for Enhancing Science Education in Pennsylvania, August 10, 2006
  148. ↑ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2009). "County ARRA FUNDING Report".
  149. ↑ ProPublica (2009). "Recovery Tracker Eye on the stimulus".
  150. ↑ "School stimulus money". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 12, 2009.
  151. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Race To The Top Webinar powerpoint for districts December 2009, December 9, 2009
  152. ↑ Governor's Press Office release (January 20, 2010). "Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support,".
  153. ↑ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
  154. ↑ Dr. Gerald Zahorchak (December 2008). "Pennsylvania Race to the Top Letter to Superintendents" (PDF).
  155. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (January 19, 2009). "Pennsylvania Race to the Top -School Districts Title I Allocations 2009-10".
  156. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2012). "Real Estate Tax Rates by School District 2012-13 Real Estate Mills".
  157. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2004). "Act 511 Tax Report".
  158. ↑ State Tax Equalization Board (2011). "State Tax Equalization Board About US".
  159. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General office - Bureau of Audits (February 2011). "A Special Performance Audit of the Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Boards" (PDF).
  160. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  161. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  162. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Financial Elements Reports, 2010
  163. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Financial Elements Reports 2008-09 Real Estate Mills, 2009
  164. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Real Estate Tax Millage by School District, 2008
  165. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Real Estate Tax Millage by School District, 2006
  166. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Real Estate Tax Millage by School District, 2005
  167. ↑ Tax-rates.org., County Property Taxes 2012, 2012
  168. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania School Finances - Summaries of Annual Financial Report Data 2010-11, 2011
  169. ↑ New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners, Tax Foundation, September 22, 2009.
  170. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "2010-11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines".
  171. ↑ Kaitlynn Riely (August 4, 2011). "Law could restrict school construction projects". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  172. ↑ Pennsylvania General Assembly, (June 29, 2011). "SB330 of 2011".
  173. ↑ Eric Boehm (July 1, 2011). "Property tax reform final piece of state budget". PA Independent.
  174. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2010). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 School District Adjusted Index for 2006-2007 through 2010-2011".
  175. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2012-2013 School District Adjusted Index, May 2011
  176. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2013-2014 School District Adjusted Index, May 2012
  177. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Report on Referendum Exceptions For School Year 2012-2013, March 30, 2012
  178. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 the Taxpayer Relief Act information".
  179. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (April 2011). "Report on Exceptions".
  180. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2010). "Report on Referendum Exceptions for 2010-2011".
  181. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2009). "Report on Referendum Exceptions for 2009-2010".
  182. ↑ Scarcella, Frank and Pursell, Tricia (May 25, 2010). "Local school tax assessments exceed state averages". The Daily Item.
  183. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 1, 2012). "2012-2013 Estimated State Property Tax Relief per Homestead".
  184. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tax Relief per Homestead, May 1, 2010
  185. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tax Relief per Homestead, May 1, 2009.
  186. ↑ Tax Relief per Homestead 2009, Pennsylvania Department of Education Report, May 1, 2009
  187. ↑ Pennsylvania Auditor General Office, Special Report Pennsylvania Property Tax Relief, 2-23-2010.
  188. ↑ Elias, Joe., Pennsylvania Treasury Department to issue $238 million in property tax rebates, The Harrisburg Patriot-News, |June 30, 2012
  189. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue., Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, June 2012
  190. ↑ Mohawk Area School Board (2012). "Academic Eligibility for Athletics".
  191. ↑ Mohawk Area School Board (October 13, 2008). "Extracurricular Activities Policy 122" (PDF).
  192. ↑ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
  193. ↑ Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (2012). "PIAA School Directory".
  194. ↑ Mohawk Area School Board Policy Manual, Student Wellness Policy 246, October 13, 2008
  195. ↑ Probart C, McDonnell E, Weirich JE, Schilling L, Fekete V. (September 2008). "Statewide assessment of local wellness policies in Pennsylvania public school districts.". J Am Diet Assoc 108 (9): 1497–502. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2008.06.429. PMID 18755322.
  196. ↑ Pennsylvania Department of Education – Division of Food and Nutrition (July 2008). "Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive".
  197. ↑ Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center, The Pennsylvania School Breakfast Report Card, 2009

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