The Camp Hill School District, is a diminutive, suburban public school district serving the Borough of Camp Hill in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. At just 2 square miles (5.2 km2), Camp Hill is the smallest school district in Cumberland County and it is one of the smallest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The District is so small it does not offer school bus transportation and instead encourages students to walk. According to the July 1, 2007 local tax rolls, it serves a resident population of 6,367. By 2010, the District's population increased to 7,903 people. The total median age was 43.0 years compared to 40.1 years in Pennsylvania. The educational attainment levels for the population 25 and over were 96.8% high school graduates and 47.6% college graduates. In 2009, Camp Hill School District residents' per capita income was $28,256, while the median family income was $61,578.
Per District officials, in school year 2007-08 the Camp Hill School District provided basic educational services to 1,137 pupils through the employment of 94 teachers, 81 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 6 administrators. In 2009-10, the District provided basic educational services to 1,190 pupils. It employed: 98 teachers, 80 full-time and part-time support personnel, and seven (7) administrators. Camp Hill School District received $2.5 million in state funding in the 2009-10 school year.
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Governance
The District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (who serve four-year terms), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 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 its 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 School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent regarding renewal of the employment contract.
The District is served by the Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15, which offers a variety of services, including a completely developed K-12 curriculum that is mapped and aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards (available online), shared services, a group purchasing program, and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.
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Schools
- Camp Hill High School
- Camp Hill Middle School
- Hoover Elementary School k-2nd grade
- Eisenhower Elementary School and Grace Milliman Pollock Performing Arts Center 3rd-5th
- Schaeffer Elementary School (Closed in June 2011)
Camp Hill High School students may choose to attend Cumberland Perry Area Vocational and Technical School [1] for training in the building trades, culinary arts and allied health services.
Academic achievement
In 2014, the Camp Hill School District was ranked 39th out of 496 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking is based on the last 3 years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in: reading, writing, math and science and the three Keystone Exams (literature, Algebra 1, Biology I) in high school. Three school districts were excluded because they do not operate high schools (Saint Clair Area School District, Midland Borough School District, Duquesne City School District). The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th. Adapted PSSA examinations are given to children in the special education programs. Writing exams were given to children in 5th and 8th grades.
- 2013 - 48th
- 2012 - 42nd
- 2011 - 29th
- 2010 - 34th
- 2009 - 35th
- 2008 - 34th
- 2007 - 22nd of 501 school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
In 2009 the academic achievement of the pupils in the District was in the 85th percentile among Pennsylvanian's 500 school districts. Scale (0-99; 100 is state best)
In 2012, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Camp Hill School District ranked 366th. The paper 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."
- 2011 - 368th
- 2010 - 415th
- 2009 - 407th
US News and World Report ranked 21,000 public high schools, in the United States, based on three factors. First, the schools were analyzed for the number of students who achieved above the state average on the reading and math tests. Then they considered how the economically disadvantaged students performed against the state average. Finally, they considered the participation rate and the performance of students in college readiness by examining Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate test data. Camp Hill High School was ranked Silver. Seventy Pennsylvania high schools achieved ranking bronze, silver or gold rating. Fifteen Pennsylvania high schools achieved silver. The Camp Hill High School was also listed as silver in 2010.
District AYP status history
In 2012 and 2011, Camp Hill 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 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. Camp HIll School District achieved AYP status each year from 2003 to 2009.
Graduation rate
In 2013, Camp Hill School District reported a 91% graduation rate. In 2012, Camp Hill School District had a 96% graduation rate. In 2011, the graduation rate at Camp Hill School District declined to 97%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. Camp Hill High School's rate was 95% for 2010.
- 2010 - 99%
- 2009 - 96%
- 2008 - 97%
- 2007 - 97%
- 2006 - 97%
- 2005 - 92%
High school
Camp Hill High School is located at 100 S 24th Street, Camp Hill. In 2013, enrollment was reported as 392 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 10.9% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 8.9% of pupils received special education services, while 9% of pupils were identified as gifted. The School employed 30 teachers. Per the PA Department of Education 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics the school had 367 student enrolled in grades 9th through 12th, with 19 receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 30 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.
Camp Hill High School achieved 93.9 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 96% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, 83.9% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 77% showed on grade level science understanding. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools (less than 73 percent of Pennsylvania public schools), achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.
In 2012, Camp Hill Senior High School declined to Warning Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Status due to declining math achievement. In 2011 and 2010, the Camp Hill Senior High School achieved AYP status.
Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.
- 2012 - 75% on grade level, (6% below basic). State - 67% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2011 - 84%, (7% below basic). State - 69.1%
- 2010 - 82.6%, State - 67%
- 2009 - 93%, State - 65%
- 2008 - 91%, State - 65%
11th Grade Math:
- 2012 - 67% on grade level (17% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 59% of 11th graders are on grade level.
- 2011 - 72%, (15% below basic). State - 60.3%
- 2010 - 86%, State - 59%
- 2009 - 84%, State - 56%
- 2008 - 84%, State - 56%
11th Grade Science:
- 2012 - 61% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 42% of 11th graders were on grade level.
- 2011 - 64%, (8% below basic). State - 40%
- 2010 - 74%, State - 39%
- 2009 - 78%, State - 40%
- 2008 - 70%, State - 39%
Science in Motion Camp Hill High 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. Gettysburg College provided the science enrichment experiences to schools in the region.
College remediation
According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 24% of Camp Hill 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. 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. 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.
SAT scores
In 2013, Camp HIll School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 553. The Math average score was 551. The Writing average score was 529. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.
In 2012, Camp Hill School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 539. The Math average score was 528. The Writing average score was 524. 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, 61 Camp Hill students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 553. The Math average score was 567. The Writing average score was 535. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. 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.
Graduation requirements
Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Camp Hill School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 25.5 credits to graduate, including: English 4 credits, Social Studies 4 credits, Mathematics 3 or 4 credits, Science & Technology 3 or 4 credits, Arts & Humanities 2 credits, Health & Physical Education 2.65 credits Others - 5.85 credits. Courses taken in Middle School do not count toward credits for graduation.
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. At Camp Hill a research project meets the mandate. Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.
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. The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.
Students have several opportunities to pass the exam. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate. 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. 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. 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.
Dual enrollment
The Camp Hill High School offers a dual enrollment program. This state-funded 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 at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system. For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $2,660 for its dual enrollment program.
Other students, that reside in the district, who attend a private nonpublic school, charter school or are homeschooled are eligible to participate in this program.
AP Courses
In 2013, Camp Hill High School offered 10 Advanced Placement (AP) courses at a higher cost than regular courses. The fee for the exam was $89 per test in 2012. Students have the option of taking College Board approved courses and then taking the College Board's examination in the Spring. Students, who achieve a 3 or better on the exam, may be awarded college credits at US universities and colleges. Each higher education institution sets its own standards about what level of credits are awarded to a student based on their AP exam score. Most higher education give credits for scores of 4 or 5. Some schools also give credits for scores of 3. Camp Hill High Schools gives weighted credits of 1.075 on AP courses and counts them towards graduation requirements. At Camp Hill High School 98% of students who took an AP course earned a 3 or better on the exam.
Camp Hill Middle School
Camp Hill Middle School is located at 2401 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill. In 2013, enrollment was 277 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 12% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 12% of pupils received special education services, while 5% of pupils were identified as gifted. According to a 2013 report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
In 2010, Camp Hill Middle School had 286 pupils enrolled in grades 6th through 8th, with 18 receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 20 teachers, yielding a student-teacher ratio of 14:1.
Camp Hill Middle School achieved 82.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, 84% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 88% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 77% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 78% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.
In 2003 through 2012, Camp Hill Middle School achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status each school year. The attendance rate was 96% in 2011 and 97% in 2010.
PSSAs are given in the Spring of each school year. Sixth and seventh grades have been tested in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. In 2014, the Commonwealth adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.
- 2012 - 95% on grade level (2% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 79% of 8th graders on grade level
- 2011 - 76% (8% below basic). State - 81.8%
- 2010 - 92.5%, State - 81%
- 2009 - 93%, State - 80%
- 2008 - 89%, State - 78%
8th Grade Math:
- 2012 - 89% on grade level (5% below basic). State - 76%
- 2011 - 90%, (2% below basic). State - 76.9%
- 2010 - 80%, State - 71%
- 2009 - 83%, State - 71%
- 2008 - 76%, State - 70%
8th Grade Science:
- 2012 - 82% on grade level (4% below basic). State - 59% of 8th graders were on grade level.
- 2011 - 69% (12% below basic). State - 58.3%
- 2010 - 72%, State - 57%
- 2009 - 74%, State - 55%
- 2008 - 74%, State - 52%
Eisenhower Elementary School
Eisenhower Elementary School is located at 340 North 21st Street, Camp Hill. In 2013, the school's enrollment was 303 pupils in grades 3rd through 5th, with 9.9% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 19.8% of the pupils receive special education services, while 4.6% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school is not a federally designated Title I school.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, enrollment was 278 pupils in grades 3rd through 5th, with pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 21 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. 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. The school provides half day kindergarten to all its pupils.
Eisenhower Elementary School achieved a score of 89 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, 78% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 87% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 84% were on grade level (3rd-5th grades). In 4th grade science, 90% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, 84% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level writing skills.
In 2011 and 2012, Eisenhower Elementary School achieved AYP status. From 2003 through 2010, Eisenhower Elementary School achieved AYP status each school year.
- 2012 - 91%, (2% below basic). State - 82%
- 2011 - 96%, (1% below basic). State - 82.9%
Hoover Elementary School
Hoover Elementary School is located at 420 South 24th Street, Camp Hill. In 2013, the School's enrollment was 276 pupils in grades kindergarten through 2nd, with 7.9% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 7.6% of the pupils receive special education services, while zero pupils were identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides half day kindergarten. The school is a federally designated Title I school.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, Hoover Elementary School enrollment was 284 pupils in grades 3kindergarten through 2nd, with 21 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The Hoover Elementary School employed 18 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 15:1.
Special education
In December 2012, the Camp HIll School District Administration reported that 147 pupils or 11.7% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 36.1% of identified students having a specific learning disabilities.
In December 2010, the District administration reported that 131 pupils or 10% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 41% of identified students having a specific learning disabilities.
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. 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. The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. Overidentification 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. 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. In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.
The Camp Hill School District received a $455,230 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 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. Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.
Gifted education
The District Administration reported that 97 or 8.37% of its students were gifted in 2009. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as gifted. By law, Camp Hill 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. 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.
Budget
Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and 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.
In 2012, the average teacher salary in Camp HIll School District was $59,656 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $14,843 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $74,500. The highest salary paid employee was $130,000. The district employed 158 teachers and administrators.
In 2011, the average teacher salary in Camp Hill School District was $56,378.29 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $14,288 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $70,666.73. The District reported employing 104 teachers and administrators, with a top salary of $153,489. According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers' total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation, including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.
In 2009, the Camp Hill School District reported employing 109 teachers with a salary range of $41,000 to $141,500. In 2009, the average teacher salary, in Pennsylvania was $58,122 which was 115% of the states' median income.
In 2007, Camp Hill School District employed 90 teachers. The average teacher salary in the District was $53,491 for 180 days worked. This is the second highest teacher salary in Cumberland County. In Pennsylvania, the average salary of the 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977. 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. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
Per pupil spending Camp Hill School District administrative costs per pupil was $838.48 in 2008. This ranked 153rd out of 501 school district in PA. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In 2009, Camp Hill Superintendent, Connie R. Kindler renewed her five-year contract with a base salary of $141,500. In 2011, Kindler tendered her retirement resignation. The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that in 2008 the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165. In June 2011, the Board hired David Reeder as Superintendent at a starting salary of $130,000 a year plus an extensive benefits package.
In 2008, the Camp Hill School District administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,709 which ranked 196th among Pennsylvania's then 501 public school districts. In 2010, the District's per pupil spending had increased to $12,978.52. In 2011, Pennsylvania's per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759. Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. Pennsylvania's total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.
Reserves In 2008, the district reported a $3,096,776.00 in an unreserved-designated fund balance. By 2010, the District's reserves were 3,751,395. In 2012, Camp Hill School District's reserves were reported as $5,734,875. 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. By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.
The School Board adopted the 2010-2011 Preliminary Budget at the February 12, 2010 Board Meeting in the amount of $16,826,793.
Tuition Students who live in the Camp Hill School District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Camp Hill School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $9,273.23, High School - $10,171.77.
Camp Hill School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.5%, Local Services Tax $10 a per capita taxes $10 per year, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, 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. 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. The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year, plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.
Basic Education Funding
According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Camp Hill School District receives 16% of its annual revenue from the state.
For the 2013-14 school year, Camp Hill School District received a 4.7% increase or $1,285,175 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $57,256 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Camp Hill School District received $18,305 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Cumberland County, Camp Hill School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF from the state. The District has the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth's budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding. The state funded the PSERS (Pennsylvania school employee pension fund) with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.
For the 2012-13 school year, the Camp Hill School District received $1,246,204 in state Basic Education Funding. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 includes $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which is an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. The state also provides $100 million for the Accountability Block grant. Camp Hill School District received $18,305 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement. The state will also provide $544.4 million for School Employees' Social Security and $856 million for School Employees' Retirement fund called PSERS. This amount is a $21,823,000 increase (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.
In the school year 2011-12, Camp Hill School District received $1,227,652 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $18,306 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. 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. Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011. In 2010, the District reported that 89 pupils received a free or reduced-price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.
In 2010-11 school year, Camp Hill School District received the highest increase in Cumberland County a 13.99% increase ($164,263) in Basic Education Funding for a total of $1,338,031. Four county school districts received increases of less than 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2010-11. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2010. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest with a 23.65% increase in funding. One hundred fifty school districts were allotted the base 2% state funding increase in 2010-11. The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even where 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.
In the 2009-10 budget year, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 2.28% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $1,172,769. This was the lowest percentage point increase, in Basic Education Funding, for the school districts in Cumberland County. Two school districts, in Cumberland County, received increases of over 8% in Basic Education Funding in 2009. Ninety school districts in the commonwealth were given the base 2% increase. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. 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. 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.
The state Basic Education funding to the Camp Hill School District in 2008-09 was $1,147,618.
Pennsylvania school districts also receive additional funding from the state through several other funding allocations, including Reimbursement of Charter School Expenditures; Special Education Funding; Secondary Career & Technical Education Subsidy; PA Accountability Grants - $47,495 to Camp Hill in 2010; and Educational Assistance Program Funding. Plus all Pennsylvania school districts receive federal dollars for various programs including Special Education and Title I funding for children from low income families. In 2010, Pennsylvania spent over $24 billion for public education - local, state and federal dollars combined.
Accountability Block Grants
Beginning in 2004-2005, Pennsylvania launched 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 Camp Hill School District applied for and received $49,686 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The District used the funding to reduce class size (less than 22 pupils) in K-3rd grade.
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. The School District received $29,603 in 2006-07. In 2007-08 it received a $250,000 grant. The district did not apply for funding in 2008-09. The highest amount of funding among Cumberland County school districts was awarded to the Big Spring School District. 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.
Environmental Education Grant
The Environmental Education Grant Program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, which mandates that 5 percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by the Department of Environmental Protection be set aside for environmental education. In 2010, Camp Hill School District was awarded $3,000 for sixth grade students to participate in a hands-on outdoor education program focused on various environmental science topics, including energy and water conservation, alternative energy, ornithology, ecology, geology and more.
Other grants
Camp Hill School District did not participate in the Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell), the 2012 and 2013 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grants, the 2013 Safe Schools and Resource Officer grants, the 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.
Federal Stimulus grant
The Camp Hill School District received an extra $299,542 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students. This was the lowest amount received in Cumberland County. Carlisle Area School District received the most ARRA funding at $2,618,458. The funding was limited to the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. 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
Camp Hill 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. 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. Pennsylvania was not approved in the first round of the grant. The failure of public school districts to agree to participate was cited by the US Department of Education, as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved. A second round of state RTTT application judging will occur in June 2010.
Common Cents state initiative
The Camp Hill School District School Board chose to not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.
Real estate taxes
Property tax rates in 2014-2015 were set by the Camp Hill School Board at 14.4828 mills. The District went through a reassessment of property in 2012. The District was required to lower the millage until it received an amount equal to that it would have received under the old assessment rate. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. 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. 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. 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. 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.
The average yearly property tax paid by Cumberland County residents amounts to about 2.8% of their yearly income. Cumberland County is ranked 724th of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. 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.
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 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of .75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Camp Hill School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
For the 2014-15 budget year, Camp Hill School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit: rising special education costs and the escalation of teacher pension costs. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS). For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.
For the 2013-14 budget year, Camp Hill School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit: special education costs and the rapidly escalating teacher pensions costs. In 2013-14, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 16.93% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund (PSERS). For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.
For the 2012-13 budget year, Camp Hill School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: teacher pension costs and special education costs. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Camp Hill School Board applied for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index for pension costs and special education costs. Each year the Camp Hill 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.
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.
Property Tax relief
In 2013, Camp Hill School District approved homestead properties to receive $112 for 2,203 participating homesteads. The decline in amount was related to a decline in table games tax revenues. The amount received by the District must be divided equally among all approved residences. In Cumberland County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2013, went to Carlisle Area School District at $131. The highest property tax relief went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $641 per approved homestead. Chester Upland School District has been the highest recipient each year since the property tax relief program began.
In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Camp Hill School District was $113 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,236 property owners applied for the tax relief. In Cumberland County, the highest amount of tax relief in 2009, went to Mechanicsburg Area School District at $140. The highest property tax relief went to the residents of Chester Upland School District of Delaware County who received $632 per approved homestead. The tax 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 Cumberland County, 75.93% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.
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, so people who make substantially more than $35,000 may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).
Enrollment and Consolidation
A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was 3000 pupils. The Pennsylvania Department of Education projects enrollment at Camp Hill School District to remain low through 2019. Consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in both communities. According to a proposal made in 2009 by Governor Edward G Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement and to enrich the academic programs or to substantially reduce property taxes. Consolidation of two central administrations into one would not require the closing of any schools.
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. 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.
Wellness policy
Camp Hill School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 - Policy 246. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation (P.L. 108 - 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus. The policy requires that the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on the district's compliance with law and policies related to student wellness. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
The Camp Hill School District offers a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals. The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.
In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch. In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day. The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.
Camp Hill School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings (data reported to the PDE and state Department of Health) and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health's extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance. Nurses also monitor each child's weight.
Highmark Healthy High 5 grant
In 2011, Camp Hill School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Camp Hill High School received $6,920 which was used to implement the Lifetime Fitness program. Eisenhower Elementary School received $9,426 to purchase equipment. Hoover Elementary School received $8,276 to implement a rock climbing wall. Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools. The District also receive a Healthy High 5 grant in 2009. Hoover Elementary School received $6,770 for its Circuit Fitness Program.
Extracurriculars
Camp Hill School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sports program. Varsity and junior varsity athletic activities are under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policy. The District is noncompliant with state law, due to failing to post its Interscholastic Athletic Opportunities Disclosure Form on its website. The District participates in the Mid-Penn Conference, Tri-Valley League.
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.
According to Pennsylvania's Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.
Sports
Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.
The District funds:
According to PIAA directory July 2012
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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