Jump to content

Bentworth School District: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tag: possible BLP issue or vandalism
Line 164: Line 164:
==History==
==History==


The school was founding by the well known Jesse Richardson. In hopes of providing his future children with a bight education, Jesse set out to establish a grade "A" school. The school system's name is a combination of the former public schools operated in Bentleyville (Bears) and Ellsworth (Cats). The school's mascot, the Bearcat, is also a combination of those belonging to former schools.
The school was founding by the well known Jesse Richardson. In hopes of providing his future children with a bright education, Jesse set out to establish a grade "A" school. At the mere age of 17, Jesse became the youngest person to head a school. The school system's name is a combination of the former public schools operated in Bentleyville (Bears)Jesse's favorite animal and Ellsworth (Cats) his favorite predator. The school's mascot, the Bearcat, is also a combination of those belonging to former schools.


===Former Schools===
===Former Schools===
Line 181: Line 181:
* [[Bentworth High School]]
* [[Bentworth High School]]


The elementary, middle and high schools are located in [[Bentleyville, Pennsylvania|Bentleyville]]. Additionally, the district maintains an athletic field in Ellsworth, that was built in honor of their founder; Jesse Richardson.
The elementary, middle and high schools are located in [[Bentleyville, Pennsylvania|Bentleyville]]. Additionally, the district maintains an athletic field in Ellsworth, that was built in honor of their founder; Jesse Richardson.


==Academic achievement==
==Academic achievement==

Revision as of 16:14, 23 October 2012

For the village in Hampshire, see Bentworth.

Bentworth School District
Address
150 Bearcat Drive

Bentleyville
,
Washington
,
Pennsylvania
15314

United States
Information
TypePublic
MottoWhere children come first and their futures follow. -Ben Shaulis
SuperintendentCharles F. Baker
Faculty84
GradesK-12
Enrollment1172 (2009–2010)
 • Kindergarten86
 • Grade 198
 • Grade 282
 • Grade 387
 • Grade 485
 • Grade 582
 • Grade 698
 • Grade 797
 • Grade 893
 • Grade 9108
 • Grade 1091
 • Grade 1188
 • Grade 1277
 • OtherEnrollment Projected to be 1168 in 2019[1]
Campus typeRural
Color(s)Black and Gold
MascotBearcats
YearbookBearcat
Websitehttp://www.bentworth.org/

The Bentworth School District is a small, rural public school district located in southwestern Pennsylvania. Bentworth School District encompasses approximately 54 square miles. It covers the boroughs of Bentleyville, Cokeburg and Ellsworth as well as North Bethlehem Township and Somerset Township in Washington County, Pennsylvania. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 8,837. In 2009, the residents' per capita income was $19,204, while the district's median family income was $43,148 a year.[2] Per school district officials, in school year 2007–08 the Bentworth School District provided basic educational services to 1,166 pupils. It employed 91 teachers, 53 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. Bentworth School District received more than $8.6 million in state education funding in school year 2007–08.

History

The school was founding by the well known Jesse Richardson. In hopes of providing his future children with a bright education, Jesse set out to establish a grade "A" school. At the mere age of 17, Jesse became the youngest person to head a school. The school system's name is a combination of the former public schools operated in Bentleyville (Bears)Jesse's favorite animal and Ellsworth (Cats) his favorite predator. The school's mascot, the Bearcat, is also a combination of those belonging to former schools.

Former Schools

  • Bentleyville Elementary School (Washington Street School, Bentleyville High School)
  • Somerset Elementary School
  • Scenery Hill School (presently North Bethlehem Twp. Community Center)
  • Nicholl School

Current Schools

The system currently operates three schools:

  • Bentworth Elementary Center serves students K-4th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.
  • Bentworth Middle School serves students 5th–8th grade with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.
  • Bentworth High School

The elementary, middle and high schools are located in Bentleyville. Additionally, the district maintains an athletic field in Ellsworth, that was built in honor of their founder; Jesse Richardson.

Academic achievement

The district was ranked 359th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on five years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and 3 years of science.[3]

  • 2010 – 306th
  • 2009 – 287th[4]
  • 2008 – 263rd out of 498 ranked Pennsylvania school districts.
  • 2007 – 287th out of 501 Pennsylvania School Districts.[5]

The school district was ranked 1st 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.[6] In 2008, the school district ranked 1st out of 105 Western Pennsylvania districts.

In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Bentworth School District, was in the top percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale (0–99; 100 is state best)[7]

Graduation Rate

In 2011, Bentworth School District's graduation rate was 96%.[8] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Bentworth Senior High School's rate was 93% for 2010.[9]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

  • 2010 – 91%[10]
  • 2009 – 92%[11]
  • 2008 – 91%
  • 2007 – 91%[12]

High school

In 2011, Bentworth Senior HIgh School declined to Warning AYP status due to laggIng student achievement. In 2010, Bentworth Senior High School achieved AYP status under No Child Left Behind. In 2009, the high school ranked 60th out of 123 western Pennsylvania high schools by the Pittsburgh Business Times.

PSSA Results
11th Grade Reading:
  • 2011 - 63% on grade level, (19% below basic). State - 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.[13]
  • 2010 – 68%, (15% below basic). State - 66%[14]
  • 2009 – 65%, State – 65%.
  • 2008 – 68%, State – 65%
  • 2007 – 80%, State – 65%[15]
11th Grade Math:
  • 2011 - 64%, on grade level (20% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.[16]
  • 2010 – 58%, (28% below basic). State - 59%[17]
  • 2009 – 56%, State – 56%[18]
  • 2008 – 59%, State – 56%[19]
  • 2007 – 64%, State – 53%
11th Grade Science:
  • 2011 - 37% on grade level (13% below basic). State: 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 – 41%, (13% below basic). State - 39%
  • 2009 – 34%, State – 40%
  • 2008 – 36%, State – 39%[20]

College Remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 35% of Bentworth School District 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.[21] 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.[22] 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. The program is offered through over 400 school districts with the assistance of a state grant.

Graduation Requirements

The Bentworth School Board has determined that a student must earn 24.5 credits to graduate including: English 4 credits, Math 3 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Science 3 credits (one course of Life Science & Physical Science), and Health 1 course, Physical Education 1 course per year, Arts/Humanities 2 credits, graduation project 1 credit, 2 technology courses, and 6 electives.[23]

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.[24] Students earn a credit towards graduation upon completion of their project.

By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the graduating class in 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.[25]

Middle school

In 2011, the school achieved AYP status. It also achieved AYP status in 2010.[26] The attendance rate was 94% in both 2011 and 2010 school years.[27] Bentworth Middle School was ranked 86th 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 one year of science.[28]

8th Grade Reading:
  • 2011 - 88% on grade level (3% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.[29]
  • 2010 – 80% on grade level Boys – 72% | Girls −89%. State – 82%[30]
  • 2009 – 74% Boys – 69% | Girls − 79%, State – 80.9%
  • 2008 – 76%, State – 78%
  • 2007 – 57%, State – 75%[31]
8th Grade Math:
  • 2011 - 86% on grade level (3% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
  • 2010 – 64%, Boys – 62% | Girls − 67%. State – 75%
  • 2009 – 78% Boys – 78% | Girls - 77%, State – 71%
  • 2008 – 78%, State - 70%
  • 2007 – 67%, State – 67%
8th Grade Science:
  • 2011 - 62% on grade level (17% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
  • 2010 – 48%, Boys – 43% | Girls −52% (30% below basic). State – 57%
  • 2009 – 56%, State – 55%
  • 2008 – 50%, State – 50%
7th Grade Reading:
  • 2011 - 76% on grade level (4% below basic). State – 76%
  • 2010 – 85%, Boys – 70% | Girls – 80%, (9% below basic). State - 73%
  • 2009 – 65%, Boys – 57% | Girls – 77%, (14% below basic). State – 71%
7th Grade Math:
  • 2011 - 85% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 78.6%
  • 2010 – 85%, Boys – 84% | Girls −85% (7% below basic). State - 77%
  • 2009 – 67% Boys – 61% | Girls −73% (12% below basic). State – 75%
6th Grade Reading:
  • 2011 - 61% on grade level (16% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
  • 2010 – 59% on grade level Boys – 47% | Girls −70% (21% below basic). State – 68%.
  • 2009 – 63% (15% below basic), State – 67%
6th Grade Math:
  • 2011 - 77% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 78.8%
  • 2010 – 66%, (15% below basic). State - 78%
  • 2009 – 72%, (10% below basic). State – 75%
5th Grade Reading:
  • 2011 - 65% on grade level (13% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 67.3% of 5th graders are on grade level.
  • 2010 – 63%, Boys – 62% | Girls −64% (13% below basic). State – 64%
  • 2009 – 64%, Boys – 57% | Girls −70% (17% below basic), State – 64%
5th Grade Math:
  • 2011 - 69% on grade level (11% below basic). State - 74%
  • 2010 – 76%, Boys – 88% | Girls - 67% (7% below basic). State – 74%
  • 2009 – 61%, Boys – 60% | Girls - 62% (14% below basic). State – 73%

Special education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 196 pupils or 16% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.[32]

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving 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.[33]

Bentworth School District received a $730,901 supplement for special education services in 2010.[34] For the 2011-12 school year, 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.[35]

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 21 or 1.76% of its students were gifted in 2009.[36] By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum through a push in model with the gifted instructor in the classroom with the regular instructor. This approach permits such specialized instructional strategies as tiered assignments, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, learning stations, independent projects and independent contracts. Students identified as gifted attending the High School have access to honors and advanced placement courses, and dual enrollment with local colleges. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student’s building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.[37]

Bullying

The Bentworth School District administration reported there were 2 incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.[38][39]

The Bentworth School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online.[40] 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 shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students.[41] 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.[42]

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.[43]

Budget

In 2009, the district reports employing over 100 teachers with a starting salary of $38,000 for 180 days for pupil instruction and 8 inservice days.[44] The average teacher salary was $46,699 while the maximum salary is $100,786.[45] The teachers work 7 hours and 30 minutes including a paid lunch period. 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.[46] Additionally, Bentworth School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 sick days and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day[47] According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.[48]

In 2007, the Bentworth School District employed 83 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $50,518 for 180 days worked.[49]

The district administrative costs in 2008 were $833.39 per pupil. This ranked 155th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.[50] In August 2006, the school board awarded a three year superintendent contract to Charles Baker. The initial salary was set at $95,000 and it would increase to $100,786 in 2009. Additionally, an extensive benefits package was provided.[51] 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.[52] Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.

In 2008, Bentworth School District reported spending $12,865 per pupil. This ranked 189th in the commonwealth.[53]

Reserves

In 2009, the district reported $291,464 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.[54]

In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.[55]

The Bentworth School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, and grants coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. 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 income level.[56]

State Basic Education funding

In 2011–12, the district received $6,005,323 in state Basic Education Funding.[57] Additionally, the district received $80,926 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania State Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011–2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011.[58]

For 2010–11 the Bentworth School District received a 5.44% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $6,458,560 payment.[59] Charleroi School District received a 9.90% increase, which was the highest increase in BEF in Washington County. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010–11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010–11. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.[60]

In the 2009–2010 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $6,125,430. The state Basic Education funding to the Bentworth School District in 2008–09 was $6,005,323.32. Seventy school districts in Pennsylvania received the minimum base increase of 2 percent. The highest increase in Washington County went to Burgettstown Area School District which received a 6.45% increase. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received the highest Basic Education Funding increase in Pennsylvania – an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen Pennsylvania school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009.[61] The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.[62]

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 310 Bentworth School District students received free or reduced lunches due to low family income in the 2007–2008 school year.[63]

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 Bentworth School District applied for and received $219,653 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide small class size K-3rd, to provide professional development to teachers, and to change to effective, research based instruction techniques.[64][65]

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006–2009. Bentworth School District was denied funding in 2006–07. In 2007–08 the district received $135,270. For the 2008–09, school year the district received $45,413 for a total of $180,683. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.[66]

Federal stimulus grant

The Bentworth School District received $1,118,445 in ARRA – Federal stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.[67] This funding was for 2009–10 and 2010–2011 school years.

Race to the Top grant

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement.[68] Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success.[69] In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate.[70] 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.[71]

Common Cents state initiative

The Bentworth School Board did not choose to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars.[72] After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Enrollment and consolidation

A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal Pennsylvania school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was 3000 pupils. Consolidation of administrations with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in both communities.[73] According to a 2009 proposal by Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improving high school student academic achievement, enriching the curriculum programs or to reducing local property taxes.[74]

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).[75]

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.[76] In a survey of 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.[77]

Real estate taxes

Bentworth School Board set property tax rates in 2011–12 at 117.00 mills.[78][79] 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. On the local level, Pennsylvania 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.[80]

  • 2010–11 – 115.00 mills.[81]
  • 2009–10 – 112.00 mills.[82]
  • 2008–09 – 110.00 mills[83]
  • 2007–08 – 108.00 mills.[84]

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 allowed to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2010–2011 school year is 2.9 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.[85]

The School District Adjusted Index for the Bentworth School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.[86]

  • 2006–07 – 5.4%, Base 3.9%
  • 2007–08 – 4.7%, Base 3.4%
  • 2008–09 – 6.1%, Base 4.4%
  • 2009–10 – 5.7%, Base 4.1%
  • 2010–11 – 4.1%, Base 2.9%
  • 2011–12 – 2.0%, Base 1.4%
  • 2012-13 - 2.4%, Base - 1.7%[87]

For the 2011–12 school year the Bentworth School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the Bentworth 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 publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.[88]

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.[89]

Bentworth School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009–10 or in 2010–11.[90][91] 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.[92]

Property tax relief

In 2010, property tax relief for 2,428 approved residents of Bentworth School District was set at $164.[93] In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Bentworth School District was $164 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2432 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 Washington County, 73% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.[94]

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 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%).[95]

Wellness policy

The Bentworth School Board established a district student wellness policy in 2006 – Policy 246.[96] 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 Superintendent annually reports to the Board on the district's compliance with law and policies related to student wellness.

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.[97]

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

Alma Mater

Hail to the Black and Gold, our banner we unfold, our trust in thee is true, faithful and loyal too.

Alma mater, Alma Mater, may your glory ring, hail, Alma Mater, songs of praise we sing.

Notable alumni

Bentworth High School

  • Hon. Debbie O'Dell Seneca (~1970); Washington County Court of Common Pleas (1991–present, president judge since 2004); Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline (2001–2005, president 2004)
  • Gina Bertocci, PhD, PE (1979); Endowed Chair, Mechanical Engineering Department, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville [1] (2004–present); Director, Injury Risk Assessment and Prevention Laboratory [2], Louisville, KY

Bentleyville High School

  • Lillian Bassi; mid-Mon Valley philanthropist
  • Val Jansante; Pittsburgh Steeler 1946–51
  • Dr. Michael L. McNulty (1959); professor emeritus of geography, University of Iowa
  • Hon. J. Barry Stout (1960); Pennsylvania state senator

Ellsworth High School

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The school board sets policies regarding eligibility to participate in these activities.[98][99]

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.[100][101][102][103]

References

  1. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Enrollment Projections for Bentworth School District January 2009
  2. ^ American Fact Finder, US Census Bureau, 2009
  3. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 1, 2011). "Statewide Ranking Information". {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 10, 2010). "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings". {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (May 23, 2007). "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ Western Pennsylvania School District Rankings 2009, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15, 2009.
  7. ^ "2009 PSSA RESULTS Bentworth School District,". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "BENTWORTH School District AYP Data Table".
  9. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  10. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (February 2011). "Bentworth School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2010 AYP data table".
  11. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (February 2010). "Bentworth School District Academic Achievement Report Card 2009".
  12. ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. "High School Graduation rate 2007". Retrieved January 31, 2011.
  13. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "2010-2011 PSSA and AYP Results".
  14. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (February 12, 2011). "Bentworth Senior High Sshool Academic Achievement Report Card 2010" (PDF).
  15. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (August 24, 2007). "2007 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing Results".
  16. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Bentworth Senior High Sshool Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  17. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 14, 2010). "2010 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  18. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 14, 2010). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  19. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 14, 2010). "2009 PSSAs: Reading, Math, Writing and Science Results".
  20. ^ "The 2008 PSSA Science – School Level Proficiency Results (by Grade and School Total)". August 2008.
  21. ^ Pennsylvania College Remediation Report http://www.scribd.com/doc/23970364/Pennsylvania-College-Remediation-Report
  22. ^ National Center for Education Statistics – IPEDS 2009
  23. ^ Bentworth School Board. "Bentworth High School Graduation Requirements". Retrieved 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  24. ^ "Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements".
  25. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 22, 2011). "Pennsylvania Keystone Exams Overview".
  26. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Bentworth Middle School School AYP Overview".
  27. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 29, 2011). "Bentworth Middle School School AYP DataTable".
  28. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (May 15, 2009). "Guide to Western Pennsylvania Schools, The Rankings: 8th Grade". {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  29. ^ Pennsylvania Department oF Education (September 29, 2011). "Bentworth Middle School Academic Achievement Report Card 2011" (PDF).
  30. ^ Pennsylvania Department oF Education (February 12, 2010). "Bentworth Middle School" (PDF).
  31. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, PSSA Results for Writing, Math and Reading 2007, 2007
  32. ^ Pennsylvania Bureau of Special Education (January 31, 2011). "Bentworth School District Special Education Data Report LEA Performance on State Performance Plan (SPP) Targets School Year 2008–2009" (PDF).
  33. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania Special Education Funding".
  34. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (July 2010). "Special Education Funding from Pennsylvania State_2010-2011".
  35. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Education Funding 2011-2012 Fiscal Year".
  36. ^ 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). {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania School Board. "CHAPTER 16. Special Education For Gifted Students". Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  38. ^ Pennsylvania Office of Safe Schools. "Bentworth School District School Safety Annual Report 2008 – 2009" (PDF). Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  39. ^ "Pennsylvania Safe Schools Online Reports". February 2011.
  40. ^ Bentworth School District Administration (December 2008). "Bentworth School District Prohibition Against Bullying Policy 249.1".
  41. ^ "Regular Session 2007–2008 House Bill 1067, Act 61 Section 6 page 8".
  42. ^ "Center for Safe Schools of Pennsylvania, Bullying Prevention advisory". Retrieved January 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  43. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Pennsylvania Academic Standards".
  44. ^ "Pa. Public School Salaries, 2009". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved February 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  45. ^ "Bentworth School Payroll report". openpagov. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  46. ^ Teachers need to know enough is enough, PaDelcoTimes, April 20, 2010.
  47. ^ "Bentworth School District Teachers Union Employment Contract 2011".
  48. ^ "Legislature must act on educators' pension hole". The Patriot News. February 21, 2010.
  49. ^ Fenton, Jacob. "Average classroom teacher salary in Washington County, 2006–07". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  50. ^ Fenton, Jacob. "Average classroom teacher salary in Washington County, 2006–07". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  51. ^ The Altoona Mirror (August 2007). "Benefits of Learning".
  52. ^ Pennsylvania School Board Association (October 2009). "Public School Employee Salaries 2007–08 – 11th Annual,".
  53. ^ "Per Pupil Spending in Pennsylvania Public Schools in 2008 Sort by Administrative Spending".
  54. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Fund Balances by Local Education Agency 1997 to 2008".
  55. ^ "BENTWORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PERFORMANCE AUDIT REPORT". November 2010.
  56. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (October 2010). "Personal Income Tax Information".
  57. ^ PA Senate Appropriations Committee (June 28, 2011). "School District 2011–12 funding Report".
  58. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (June 30, 2011). "Basic Education Funding".
  59. ^ Pennsylvania house Appropriations Committee. "PA House Appropriations Committee Basic Education Funding-Printout2 2010–2011". {{cite web}}: Text "August 2010" ignored (help)
  60. ^ Office of Budget, (February 2010.). "Pennsylvania Budget Proposal,". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  61. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Basic Education Funding Report by School District. October 2009
  62. ^ "Pennsylvania Budget Proposal 2009–10,". February 2009.
  63. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Pennsylvania Department of Education Funding Report by LEA 2009".
  64. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Accountability Block Grant report 2010, Grantee list 2010".
  65. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Accountability Block Grant Mid Year report".
  66. ^ Pennsylvania Auditor General (December 22, 2008). "Special Performance Audit Classrooms For the Future grants" (PDF).
  67. ^ Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (2009). "Washington County ARRA FUNDING Report".
  68. ^ Governor's Press Office. (January 20, 2010). "Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support,".
  69. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchek (December 2009). "Pennsylvania Race to the Top Letter to Superintendents".
  70. ^ Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Fueled by Effective Reforms, Strong Local Support
  71. ^ Race to the Top Fund, U.S. Department of Education, March 29, 2010.
  72. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education. "Common Cents program – Making Every Dollar Count". Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  73. ^ Standard and Poor's School Evaluation Services, (2007). "Study of the cost-effectiveness of consolidating Pennsylvania School Districts,".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  74. ^ Edward Rendell, Governor and Mary Soderberg, Secretary of the Budget. (February 2009). "2009–10 Executive Budget Facts Pennsylvania School District Consolidation,".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  75. ^ "Research Analyzes Rural School District Enrollment and Building Capacity", The Center for Rural Pennsylvania. October 2009
  76. ^ Rendell, E. & Soderberg, M. (2009). Pennsylvania school district consolidation. 2009–10 Executive Budget Fast Facts. Pennsylvania Office of the Governor.
  77. ^ Study of the cost-effectiveness of consolidating Pennsylvania districts. New York: Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services. 2007, p. 6.
  78. ^ Observer-Reporter (June 22, 2011). "Bentworth OKs tax increase". Observer-Reporter.
  79. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Finances_Real Estate Tax Rates 2011-12".
  80. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2004). "Act 511 Tax Report".
  81. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Finance. (2011). "Real Estate Tax Millage by School District,".
  82. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2010). "Financial Elements Reports".
  83. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009). "Financial Elements Reports 2008-09 Real Estate Mills".
  84. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2008). "Financial Elements Reports 2007-08 Real Estate Mills".
  85. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2010–11 Act 1 of 2006 Referendum Exception Guidelines, 2010
  86. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2010). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 School District Adjusted Index for 2006–2007 through 2011–2012,".
  87. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2011). "The Index Special Session Act 1 of 2006".
  88. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (2011). "Special Session Act 1 of 2006 the Taxpayer Relief Act information".
  89. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (April 2011). "Report on Exceptions".
  90. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2010). "Report on Referendum Exceptions for 2010-2011".
  91. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (May 2009). "Report on Referendum Exceptions for 2009-2010".
  92. ^ Scarcella, Frank and Pursell, Tricia, (May 25, 2010). "Local school tax assessments exceed state averages". The Daily Item.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  93. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Tax Relief per Homestead, May 1, 2010
  94. ^ Special Report Pennsylvania Property Tax Relief, Auditor General Office, 2-23-2010.
  95. ^ New Census Data on Property Taxes on Homeowners, Tax Foundation, September 22, 2009.
  96. ^ Bentworth School Board Policy Manual, Bentworth School Board
  97. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education – Division of Food and Nutrition. (July 2008). "Nutrition Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools for the School Nutrition Incentive,".
  98. ^ Bentworth School Board (April 17, 2006). "Bentworth School District Extracurriculars Policy 122" (PDF).
  99. ^ Bentworth School Board (April 17, 2006). "Interscholastic Athletics Policy 123" (PDF).
  100. ^ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005
  101. ^ Education Law Center (May 2, 2008). "HOMESCHOOLING IN PENNSYLVANIA: A FACT SHEET" (PDF).
  102. ^ Bentworth School Board (April 22, 2008). "Extracurricular Participation By Home Education Students Policy 137.1".
  103. ^ Bentworth School Board (April 22, 2008). "Extracurricular Participation By Charter/Cyber Charter Students Policy 141.1".

Bentworth School District

Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Bentworth_School_District&oldid=519411551"