Allentown School District

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The Allentown School District is a large-city public school district located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The district is one of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts. Serving most of the city of Allentown, it is the fourth largest school district in Pennsylvania, with 17,962 students, with 15.7% White, 17.4% Black, 64.4% Hispanic, 1.4% Asian, 0.17% Indigenous America. The Allentown City School District covers about 17 square miles (44 km ² ). According to 2010 federal census data, the Allentown School District serves a population of 118,032. According to US Census Bureau data, it serves a population of 106,630 in 2000. In 2009, per capita income was $ 16,282, while the average family income was $ 37,356. In the Commonwealth, the average family income is $ 49.501 and the average family income of the United States is $ 49,445, in 2010. In 2013, the average household income in the United States rose to $ 52,100.

At the district school level, during the 2010 school year, the Allentown School District provided basic education services for 17,962 students through 1,456 teachers, 1,084 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 110 administrators. In 2010, according to District officials, the District provided basic education services for 17,465 students. The district employs: 1,433 teachers, 899 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 96 administrators. Allentown School District received $ 112.3 million in state funding in the 2009-10 school year. High school students may choose to attend Lehigh Career & amp; Technical Institute for vocational training. The Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit IU21 [1] provides District with a range of services such as special education for disabled and hearing students, speech and visual disability services and professional development for staff and faculty.

Video Allentown School District

History

Beginner

The Allentown Public School District (ASD) dated to 1828. The Commonwealth Education Act of 1824 provided that children of families unable to pay for personal instruction should be provided with education at the expense of the region. Notes from the borough of Northampton (Allentown) and the towns of Salisbury paid a total of $ 421.71 for children's education in 1828. In 1833, Northampton Borough paid $ 434.77. Both boys and girls from families in low-income groups are allowed to attend one of the approved private schools in the region.

The next step in the development of ASD occurred in 1834 with the Model Public School Act. The law stipulates that school districts, with the consent of local voters, can be formally established for the education of all boys and girls, regardless of race or creed. The Northampton residents' meeting on Sept. 12 called for a referendum on school issues to establish a local school district. Referendum passed by voters, 137 to 1.

During the initial period following the passage of the referendum, all the boys and girls from borough attended private schools in Northampton. Tuition fees are $ 10 to $ 20 per term per student, depending on the number of subjects taken. Tuition is paid by the school district.

On April 16, 1836, the Pennsylvania Legislative Act changed the name of the community from Nortampton to - Allentown. The first public school building began with the purchase of a plot of land in Walnut and Union Streets, along Front Street on August 30, 1837. Here the "Mingo School" was built on land purchased for $ 50 to accommodate students from the eastern borough. The first teacher was employed in 1838. In 1841, three of the six teachers in the ASD were women. In 1858, a larger school was built at Turner Street, just west of Eighth Street.

Until 1858, primary and secondary education was taught in the same school. That year, Mr. R. W. McAlpine took a group of 14 older students to the Garber-Horne House, which has been home to the North's Homeopathic Home Art School in South Penn Street, near the current Allentown School District Administration Building. This is the beginning of Allentown High School. The first class is fourteen students, divided by boys and girls. In 1859, with a vote of 6 to 2, a separate secondary school was established, one for boys and one for girls. It is located at the Presbyterian Sunday School. Augustus Armagnac was named teacher for male students, and Hannah L. Romig for girls. The first commencement was held in May, 1869 at the Presbyterian Church on North Fifth Street. The first graduation class is three students.

Unification

With the division between primary and secondary schools, as the city grew, primary grammar schools were established in every district ward. Each of these schools is under the supervision of the ward. In January 1866, various ward district leaders called for the consolidation of schools into one school district as a central authority, leading to the establishment of an integrated Allentown School District. This unification also eventually led to a unified city government, and within a year, the law was proposed in Harrisburg by Lehigh State Senator George P. Shall to combine Allentown as a city.

In the 20th century, the city expanded east and west of the Lehigh River, and south to Salisbury Town in the south of Lehigh Kecil. The annexation of Bridgetown in 1911 (now 14th Ward), and Rittersville in 1920 (now the 15th Ward) expanded the city eastward to its current border with Bethlehem along Club Avenue. In East Allentown, Moser Elementary School opened in 1917, Ritter Elementary in 1925 and Midway Manor 1947.

In 1907, the 12th Ward was erected in the southern land of Little Lehigh. The Jefferson Elementary has started as a one-room schoolhouse built by the Salisbury Township School District in 1858 on the north side of Auburn Street. In 1910, the building was replaced with a two-storey brick building with two stories and an adjacent playground at the intersection of South 8th Street and St.. John Street to accommodate students in South Allentown. The establishment of Ward 16 along Susquehanna Road in what Aineyville called in 1920 caused the District to take over the Roosevelt Elementary built in 1910 by Salisbury.

In 1922, Ward 17 was created and the western boundary of the city expanded to what is now Cedar Crest Boulevard from 17th Street. At that time there was no house west of 22d Street and all the students went to the Jackson Elementary on 15th and Liberty street, built in 1911. A new school of Muhlenberg, built on 21st Street in 1928 to accommodate this western growth. Muhlenberg was supposed to be a junior high school, but the population was rising too fast and was declared a primary school.

The third level of the school, "Junior High School" (Junior High School) was established in 1925 for classes six, seven and eight. The Central School Building, which was used as Allentown High School from 1893-1916 was renovated and expanded with two additional buildings and converted into Junior High School. Francis D. Raub Elementary School opened in 1923 at the western end of the city. In 1925 it was also changed. At Ward 1, Harrison's grammar school for boys and grad school Morton for girls was consolidated, and in 1927, Harrison-Morton Secondary School was founded. From the academic year 1929-1930, Junior High School began teaching 7th despite grade 9 with the adoption of the 6-3-3 plan, and Allentown High School taught 10th despite grade 12. In 1951, the wing of Chew Street Central was torn down and replaced by a playground.

1n 1929, Jack Coffield Stadium for interscholastic football opened just behind the main building of Allentown High School. Interscholastic football started in 1896, teams playing in available open field. In 1930, Annex, Little Palestra for the basketball team, and the famous "tunnel" were added to Allentown High School which provides indoor connections with the main building. The Coffield Stadium was replaced by the Greater Allentown School Stadium in 1948. In 1958 Linden Street Annex was built and vocational students from Nineteenth and Hunicker Roads were brought back to the main campus. In 1940, half-day kindergarten classes were added to elementary school. In 1970, it expanded into full day classes.

After World War II, the expansion of the 12th Ward to include the wartime Convair Field and wartime housing built for its workers led to the construction of the Lehigh Parkway school in 1949. The students had previously attended school in homes. Also the 19th Ward acquisition in 1949 on the land of southwest Lehigh Street and Mountainville included leading to the construction of the fourth High School, South Mountain in 1951 and Hiram Dodd Elementary School in 1956.

As the city grew the need for secondary school was unavoidable, and in May 1929, the ASD paid $ 51,000 for a vast field on Irving and East Washington Streets in East Allentown. The land was purchased for the new junior high to accommodate students in the east of the Lehigh River. But the plan was changed, and 27 years later, on 21 May 1956, the ground was damaged for the new Louis E. Dieruff College, named in honor of educators and administrators who had given 44 years of service to the district. The school opened in September 1959, and Allentown High School changed its name to William Allen High School in 1960.

The major rearrangement of the Secondary School boundary occurred for the academic year 1967-1968 with the closing of the Center and the opening of Trexler Middle School. At the same time Central became the "Sixth Class Center" throughout the city, with major grammar schools re-aligned to grades K through 5. All sixth grade students in ASD were sent to Central. In December 1967, Central suffered a major fire when the oldest part of the building, built in 1893 as Allentown High School, was completely annihilated. Replaced with new wings in 1969. 1973 saw the opening of the William Allen High School Physical Education facility, built on the former Football Field, replacing the fitness room and the Little Plaestra swimming pool. In 1975, the Library Science Center was built on the Little Palestra site.

For the academic year 1981-1982, the concept of "Secondary School" was adopted by ASD. The center is reorganized to become a K-5 primary school; Harrison-Morton; Raub; South Mountain and Trexler are named "High School" and teach classes six through eight. William Allen and Dieruff High School reintroduce a new class (grade 9) and become a 4-year high school.

21st century

In early 2000, ASD built three new facilities: Elementary School of Luis A. Ramos, the first new primary school in ASD for over 50 years; Clifford S. Bartholomew Building at William Allen High School, and Michael P. Mellinger Wing at Louis E. Dieruff High School.

• Luis A. Ramos Elementary School holds 750 students, 40 classrooms, cafeterias, libraries, and other facilities. It replaced the Jackson Elementary School built in 1911.
• Clifford S. Bartholomew Building replaces the old St. Cloud Street building, along with an open field that has been the site of the Mack and Farr buildings, demolished in 1973. In addition, the main building of William Allen HS has been upgraded with the addition of two dance studios new, art room renovation, sports hall and Black Box Theater.
Michael E. Dieruff High School The Michael P. Mellinger Wing includes 24 additional classrooms, separate entrances and security systems, nurse suites, media centers, cafeterias, and physical education rooms, lockers, and classrooms.

ASD Virtual Academy was founded in 2014, providing virtual online classes, along with full-time Cyber ​​schools. The ASD Aspen Academy, established in 2011, provides classes in Spanish for students from grades 8-12 who are studying English as a second language.

Maps Allentown School District

School

SMA

• William Allen High School

106 North 17th Street

Map location: 40Ã, Â ° 35? 54? N 075 Â ° 29? 39? W

Founded 1858. Building currently established 1916, Renovation/Additions: 1930, 1942, 1956, 1972, 1979, 1980, 1992, 2010

AYP School Highlights: Rejected to Second Correction II Action in 2012.

• SMA Louis E. Dieruff

815 N. Irving Street

Map location: 40Ã, Â ° 37? 17? N 075 Â ° 26? 28? W

Established 1959. Renovation/Addition: 1964, 1975, 2010

AYP School Highlights: Rejected to 2nd Year of the Year of Repairs in 2012.

• Building 21 Allentown

265 Lehigh Street

Map location: 40Ã, Â ° 35? 57? N 075 Â ° 25? 04? W

Opened 2015. Building 21 Allentown is an experimental high school planned to focus on building passion among students through career exploration. Building 21 students spend their mornings studying core subjects like math and English, but in the afternoons they will allow them to work on projects involving them. These can include internships at law firms, work in medical facilities and overshadow business owners. Students are taken from across the Allentown School District. Initially 150 students were selected for first class nine classes. It is planned to add new classes every year until 2018 when the school will offer a four-year curriculum (9th though 12th grade).

High school

Primary school

Special facilities

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School of the Charter

The Allentown School Board must approve and supervise local public charter schools operating within its presence area. The Board has approved several charter schools including: Roberto Clemente Charter School and Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School (approved 2012, updated in 2012). In the fall of 2013, several entities are applying to the Council for approval to operate charter schools in the Allentown School District, including: Executive Charter Education Academy School, Elementary School of Art Academy, Computer Assistance. Charter Learning Elementary School and Charter LVenture School. In Pennsylvania students may also choose to attend charter schools social. These cyber charter schools are overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and are open to all students at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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Extracurricular

The Allentown School District offers an extensive range of clubs, activities and athletic programs in every high school and high school. The district spends $ 2,515,444 on student activities (excluding transportation and facility costs) in the 2013-2014 school year. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board and PIAA. Both Allentown School District public schools, William Allen High School and Louis E. Dieruff High School, competed athletically at the Lehigh Valley Conference.

According to the Pennsylvania State Youth Sports Safety Act, all sports trainers, paid and volunteers, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present certification prior to training.

Under Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students living in the district, including those attending private non-public schools, cyber charter schools, charter schools and those studying at home, are eligible to participate in extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as those enrolled in the district schools.

Interscholastic Sports

SMA

Both William Allen (Canaries) and Dieruff (Huskies) High School compete at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference in District XI of the Association of Interscholastic Athletics Pennsylvania (PIAA).

The trainer receives compensation as outlined in the teacher union contract. When athletic competitions exceed the regular season, additional compensation is paid out.

Varsity's athletic sports supported are:

High School

ASD Middle Schools offers the following team sports:

• Harrison-Morton (Male Minute)
• Raub (Indian)
• Trexler (Bulldogs)
• South Mountain (Mountain Climbers)

According to PIAA directory July 2013

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Academic achievement

In its 2010 School Improvement Grants application to the federal government, the Pennsylvania Department of Education identifies the following Allentown District Schools as Schools with Permanent Low Achievements: Central Elementary School; Francis D Raub Middle School; Harrison-Morton Secondary School; Jefferson Elementary School; Louis Dieruff College; Sheridan Elementary School; Trexler Middle School; Union Terrace Elementary School; and William Allen High School. Central Elementary School was cited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as one of the 5% of schools with the lowest attainment of the lowest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Program Opportunity of Scholarship Tax Credit

In April 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released its annual report on schools with the lowest achievement in the Commonwealth. It identified seven Allentown School District schools as the schools with the lowest achievement for reading and math. The schools are: Elementary School, Cleveland Elementary School, Francis D. Raub Middle School, Harrison-Morton Middle School, Hiram W Dodd Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Louis E. Dieruff High School, Luis A Ramos Elementary School, SD McKinley School, Mosser Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Sheridan Elementary School, South Mountain Middle School, Trexler Middle School, Union Terrace Elementary School, William Allen High School, and Washington Elementary School.

In July 2012, the Pennsylvania Education Department (PDE) released a report identifying seven Allentown School District schools as one of the lowest achieving schools for reading and math by 2011 and 2012. Eleven primary schools of the District, all four secondary schools and both high school - schools are among the 15% of schools with the lowest achievement in the Commonwealth. Parents and students may be eligible for a scholarship to transfer to another public or non-public school through the country's Credit Opportunity Tax Credit Program passed in June 2012. The scholarship is limited to students whose family income is less than $ 60,000 per year, with $ 12,000 others are allowed per dependent. The maximum scholarship scholarship is $ 8,500, with special education students receiving up to $ 15,000 for a one-year college fee. Parents pay the difference between the number of scholarships and the level of the recipient's school fees. Students may seek admission to a neighboring county school. Each year PDE publishes tuition rates for each of the public school districts. At Lehigh County at Allentown School among the lowest schools in 2011 and 2012. According to the report, parents in 414 public schools (74 school districts) were offered access to this scholarship. For the 2012-13 school year, eight public school districts in Pennsylvania have all of their schools placed on the list including: Sto-Rox School District, Chester Upland School District, Clairton City School District, Duquesne City School District, Farrell Area School District, Wilkinsburg Borough School District, William Penn School District and Steelton-Highspire School District. In 2014, the Monessen City School District has all of its schools on the list. Funding for scholarships comes from donations by businesses that receive state tax credits for donations.

Academic rankings across states

The Allentown School District is ranked 486 out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2013, by the Pittsburgh Business Times . Ratings are based on student academic achievements in the last three years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, mathematics and science. PSSA is provided to all children in grades 3 to 8 and grade 11 in secondary schools. Adapted tests are given to children in special education programs. Writing tests are given to children in grades 5, 8 and 11.

• 2012 - 485
• 2011 - 483
• 2010 - 482 and
• 2009 - 481
• 2008 - 480
• 2007 - 485

Overachiever in all state ratings

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported Overachievers Rating for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. Allentown School District ranks 250. In 2012, the District is the 86th. The Editor describes the rankings as: "ranked answer questions - which school district is better than expected on the basis of the economy? This rank takes the Honor Roll ranking and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free lunch and low price into the formula. a high level on this ranking is destroying expectations, and each district above the median point exceeds expectations. "

In 2009, the academic achievement of students from the Allentown School District was in the 2nd percentile among the 500 Pennsylvania school districts. The scale (0-99; 100 is the best)

Inadequate Yearly Progress (AYP History

In 2012, the Allentown School District rejected the 5th Year Correction Rate of the Year in AYP status due to very low student achievement. The district failed to achieve one of the academic metrics measured in graduation, reading or math. Only two District schools have reached AYP status in 2012.

• 2011, declined to <4> Level Correction Action II Year 4 in AYP status due to low and chronic student achievement in reading and math and unsatisfactory grading rates.
• 2010 - rejected at the Level of 3rd Fixed Action Rate in AYP status due to very low student achievement.
• 2009 - denied at Level 2 of Action Act II in AYP status
• 2008 - pushed to the Level of Corrective Action II level in AYP status
• 2007 - down to the Correction Actions level in AYP status
• 2006 - Make Progress in Secondary Schools Improvement
• 2005 - declined for Secondary School Improvement
• 2004 - declined to Upgrade School Level
• 2003 - AYP status alerts due to student achievement left in reading and math

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Graduation rate

The "four-year cohort graduation rate" indicates that 612 of the 1,576 students who entered Allen and Dieruff secondary schools as freshmen in 2006-07 quit before getting a diploma in the 2009-10 school year.

In 2012, the Allentown City School District graduation rate is 66%. In 2011, the district graduation rate was 62.8%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new 4-year cohort graduation rate. The Allentown School District rate is 62.71% for 2010.

According to the calculation of traditional graduation rates:

• 2010 - 69%
• 2009 - 67%
• 2008 - 67%
• 2007 - 67%

Graduation requirements

The Allentown Area School Board has determined that a student must earn 22.5 credits for graduation, including: English 4 credits, 3 Math credits, Social Sciences 3.5 credits, 3 credits Science, Arts and Humanities 2 credits, Physical Education 0 , 8 credits, Healthcare.5 credits, Computer Applications.5 credits, graduation projects.2 credits and choice of 5 credits.

For the 2012-2014 Graduation Class, students must demonstrate the PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) abilities in reading, math, and writing. A student who does not achieve proficiency in a class 11 PSSA test in reading, math, and writing will pass if he or she successfully completes one alternative: pass a PSSAs retest; a minimum score of 900 as a combined total of verbal and mathematical sections on SAT; obtaining a grade grade average grade (GPA) of at least 2.0; or achieve the level of proficiency determined through their IEP process.

By law, all Pennsylvania high school students must complete the project as part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its accuracy, and its expectations are determined by each school district. In the Allentown School District, the requirements include written papers that must be completed in the first semester of the academic year and oral presentations to be given during his senior year.

Under the rules of the Pennsylvania State Council Board, for the 2016 graduation class, students must demonstrate successful completion of middle-level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature The Keystone Exam serves as a final course exam. The Keystone Student Test Score will be calculated for at least one third of the final grade grade.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Education Department study released in January 2009, 48% of Allentown School District graduates require remediation in mathematics and or reading before they are ready to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State Higher Education System or college. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania's high school graduates, enrolled in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree in six years. Among high school graduates of Pennsylvania pursuing an associate degree, only one out of three graduates in three years. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one of three recent high school graduates studying at public universities and public universities in Pennsylvania needs at least one remedial course in mathematics, reading or English.

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Academic reform

In 2010, the school board hired former Pennsylvania Minister of Education, Dr. Gerald Zahorchak D.Ed., as Superintendent of Schools. In 2011, he proposed a wide range of reforms called the 2011-2012 Study Program and Related Separation Plan. After a controversial debate, within the district and with the community, Allentown Board of Directors approved the plan in March 2011. As part of a significant reordering plan from the source will be conducted for the 2011-12 school year. This results in the reduction of professional staff through leave, stoppage or demotion in the following areas: 84 basic positions, 121 secondary positions and 42 student support positions excluded. Some positions do not replace pensions and some are abandoned. Cutting is based on seniority and certification areas and amounts to 18% of district employees.

Under the plan, the AP course is taught, as a double enrollment course, by a local college professor. Some courses in high school were cut.

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Special education

In December 2010, the district government reported that 2,545 students or 13.6% of district students received Special Education services.

Districts engage in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate education program consisting of special education and related services, individually to meet student needs. With no cost to parents, this service is provided in accordance with state and federal law; and calculated fairly to generate significant educational and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data (cumulative notes, registration notes, health records, report cards, ability test scores and achievements); hearing, sight, motor, and speech/language abilities; and reviewed by the Instructional Support Team or the Student Assistance Team. When screening results indicate that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation of the District professional employee or contact the Special Education Department.

In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $ 1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds are distributed to districts based on state policies that estimate that 16% of district students receive special education services. This funding is in addition to basic state education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding.

The Allentown School District received $ 9,147,139 supplements for special education services in 2010.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 650 or 3.72% of its students were rewarded in 2009. By law, districts must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by a teacher or parent by contacting the student's principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. In order to qualify for a mentally gifted program in Pennsylvania, a student must have at least 130 cognitive abilities measured on a standard-ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate the gift will also be considered for eligibility.

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School security

The Allentown District School Administration reported that there were 3,047 school-related incidents in the district in 2012. This resulted in 96 arrests. There are 4 sexual assaults and 6 indecent exposure events. The persecution is also significant, with 200 cases being reported across districts.

The Federal No Child Left Behind Act specifies Optional School Options Not Secure. Each federal federal state is mandated to make statewide policies requiring a student in a "continuously hazardous" public school to be allowed to move/register in a secure state school. The policy allows a student who is a victim of violent crime, while on or on whatever public school he or she goes to, to move to a secure public school. Every year since 2006, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has released a list of Dangerous Schools Continuing. While districts reported multiple serious crimes to students within a few years, Allentown School District schools have not been recorded on the list of Dangerous Persistent Schools.

The Allentown School Board has provided district antibody online policies. Students are urged to report bullying to the Principal. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Student Code of Conduct. The policy should identify disciplinary action for bullying and appoint school staff to receive complaints about oppression. The policy should be available on the school website and posted in each class. All Pennsylvania public schools should provide copies of the anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools each year, and should review their policies every three years. In addition, districts should conduct an annual review of the policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission for Crime & amp; Delinquency and Education Department of Pennsylvania to help schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.

Education standards related to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in 10.3. Prevention of Safety and Injury in Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.

Safe School Grants

In 2013, the Allentown School District was awarded $ 25,000 in a State Safe Targeted School. Maximum $ 25,000 grants are awarded through a competitive application process. The funds should be used for research-based interventions, such as: peer mediation, staff training in managing behavioral problems and creating a positive school climate.

School Resource Officers and Police Officers provide

In 2014, Pennsylvania began a grant program that provides funding for programs to tackle school violence and security. Eligible schools and municipalities can apply up to $ 60,000 for school resources officers and up to $ 40,000 for a school police officer. Allentown School District did not participate.

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Budget

Budget Pennsylvania public school district and issue funds according to the procedures mandated by the General Assembly and Education Department of Pennsylvania (PDE). The annual operational budget is prepared by the administrative officials of the school district. A uniform form is completed by PDE and submitted to the school board of directors for approval before the start of each fiscal year on July 1st.

Under the Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the 2006 Special Session, all grade A, second-class, third and fourth-grade districts should adopt an initial budget proposal. The proposal should include the estimated income and expenditure and the proposed tax rate. This proposed budget should be considered by the Board no later than 90 days before the date of the election immediately before the fiscal year. Initial budget proposals should also be printed and available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to adoption. The board of directors of the school may hold a public hearing on the budget, but is not required to do so. The Council shall provide at least 10 days' public notice of its intention to adopt a final budget pursuant to Law 1 of 2006.

By 2012, the average teacher salary in the Allentown School District is $ 63,480 per year, while the teacher's benefit fee is $ 19,845 per employee, with an average annual teacher compensation of $ 83,325.93 In 2012, the District employs 1,433 teachers and administrator, with an average salary of $ 64,055 and the highest salary of $ 170,000.

In 2009, the Allentown School District reported employing 1,399 teachers with an average salary of $ 55,986 for 180 student teaching days. The highest salary is $ 156,832 while the starting salary is $ 41,206. In 2008 the union and the school board approved a five-year contract that set an annual increase of 4.5%. In addition, teachers receive: defined benefit pensions, health insurance, reimbursement of professional development expenses, paid personal days, 10 days of accumulated sickness, paid days of bereavement, and many other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Public Employee Pension System Pension System, a 40-year-old educator can retire with a pension of 100 percent of their final salary.

In 2007, Allentown City School District employs 897 teachers who work 180 days teaching students. The average teacher salary in the district is $ 54,317. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania is $ 49,596. In 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for the living cost of Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the country for teacher compensation.

Expenditures per student District School fees per pupil in 2008 were $ 534.24 per student. The lowest administrative cost per student in Pennsylvania is $ 398 per student. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association collects and stores statistics on public school district staff salaries in Pennsylvania. According to the association's report, the average salary for a superintendent, for the 2007-08 school year, is $ 122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive benefits packages commensurate to those offered to the district teachers union. According to the PSBA, median Superintendent salaries rose to more than $ 130,000 in 2011. In 2011, Superintendent salary Gerald Zahorchak was $ 195,000. In 2012, the compensation of former Superintendent Gerald Zahorchak was $ 195,000. District Superintendent salary is $ 166,416. By 2013, the salary of the Allentown school district supervisor is $ 170,000. No compensation was reported for Zahorchak. In 2013, the District reported employing 70 administrators and managers with salaries ranging from $ 83,873 per annum to $ 132,259, with 25 being paid over $ 100,000 per year.

In 2008, spending per pupil in the Allentown City School District was ranked 475 in the state with $ 10,012 per child. In 2012 spending per student per District is $ 11,952.95. In 2011, expenditures per Pennsylvania student were $ 13.467, ranked 6th in the United States. In 2007, the amount of expenditure per Pennsylvania student was reported at $ 12,759.

Reserves In 2008, the Allentown City School District reported an unpaid balance of $ 1.8 million in unpaid special funds and an undervalued $ 3.0112,620 balance of design funds. Allentown City School District reported a total of $ 19,694,023 in a backup account. The district also reported $ in unreserved funds in 2010. The Pennsylvania public school district reserve fund is divided into two categories - defined and not designed. Funds that are not designed are not committed to the planned project. Designated funds and other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to certain projects. School districts are required by state law to retain 5 percent of their annual expenditure in reserve funds that are not designed to maintain bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, overall, the Pennsylvania school district collected nearly $ 3 billion in reserve funds. In 2005, the total reserve fund held by the Pennsylvania public school district was $ 1.9 billion. By 2013, the reserves held by the Pennsylvania public school district, overall, have risen to more than $ 3.8 billion.

Audit In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Public Auditor conducted a performance audit in the district. Several serious findings were reported to the school board and administration. In September 2013, the District was re-audited with continuing serious problems. Some teachers found the lack of certification needed to teach the classes they provide. It was noted that the District has made interest swaps which have caused significant financial costs for the District.

Tuition Fee Students living in the District's attendance area may choose to attend one of 157 public charter schools in Pennsylvania. A student living in neighboring state school districts or foreign exchange students may seek admission to the School District Area. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education charges an annual tuition fee for each school district. This is the number of general school districts paying to charter schools for each student resident attending the charter and that is the number of non-residents' parent students having to pay to attend the District schools. Tuition for 2012 is Elementary School - $ 7,803.88, High School - $ 9,858.67.

The Allentown School District is funded by a combination of: local taxes on revenue earned 0.5%, two per capita taxes of $ 10 a year, property taxes, 0.5% real estate transfer taxes, plus major funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants have provided an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. Interest earnings on accounts also provide non-revenue or nontax losses to the District. At Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, retirement income and Social Security income are exempt from state personal income taxes and local income taxes, regardless of the level of individual personal wealth. The average Pennsylvania public school teacher retirement in 2011 exceeds $ 60,000 a year plus they receive a federal Social Security benefit: both are tax-free Pennsylvania state income and local income taxes that fund local public schools.

Funding of basic country education

According to a report from the office of Todd Stephens Representative, the School District receives 52.3% of its annual income from the state.

For the 2013-14 school year , the Allentown School District received an 11% or $ 96,447,585 increase in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $ 9,578,514 bigger than the BEF countries 2012-13 to the District. In addition, the Allentown School District receives $ 1,517,850 in Block Grant Accountability funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for specialized education services. Among the general school districts in Lehigh County, the Allentown School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF. The district has an option to apply for some state and federal grants to increase revenue. The Commonwealth Budget raises Funding of Elementary Basic Education by $ 123 million to over $ 5.5 billion. Most of the 500 public school districts in Pennsylvania receive an increase in the Basic Education Fund in the range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts receive a very high funding increase of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was given to the Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Funding for Primary Education. The highest percentage of state expenditure per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where about 78 percent comes from the state treasury. In Philadelphia, almost 49 percent. As part of the education budget, the state provides 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 Allentown School District received $ 86,869,071. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 includes $ 9.34 billion for kindergarten up to 12th grade public education, including $ 5.4 billion in basic education funding, which represents an increase of $ 49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provides $ 100 million for the Block Grant Accountability program (ABG). Allentown School District receives $ 1,517,850 in Block Accountability Grant funding to focus on academic achievement. The state also paid $ 544.4 million for School Employee Social Security and $ 856 million for the School Employee Pension Fund called PSERS. This amount is an increase of $ 21,823,000 (0.34%) over the 2011-2012 allocation for Funding for Basic Education, Social Security of School Employees, Student Transport, Nonpublic, and School Transport Students. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have recovered more than $ 918 million to support public schools, compensating the $ 1 billion federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.

In 2011-12 , the Allentown School District received $ 82,853,825 in the state Basic Education Fund. In addition, the district will receive $ 1,517,850 in funding of the Accountability Provision Fund. The Pennsylvania state education budget set forth includes $ 5,354,629,000 for the allocation of the Basic Education Fund 2011-2012. This amount is an increase of $ 233,290,000 (4.6%) of the applicable State appropriations for 2010-2011.

In 2010, the district reported that 13,582 students received a free lunch or low price because their families met the federal poverty level.

For the 2010-11 fiscal year , the Allentown City School District received a 2% increase in the country's basic education funding for a total of $ 86,617,733. In Lehigh County, the highest increase occurred in the Whitehall-Coplay School District which received a 7.98% increase in state funding. One hundred and fifty school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% base increase for the 2010-11 budget year. The highest increase in the state was given to the Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which was given a 23.35% increase in state funding of basic education. The non-hazardous state policy on funding basic state education continues where each district receives at least the same amount as accepting the previous school year, even when enrollment has dropped significantly. The increase amount of each accepted school district is set by Governor Edward Rendell and Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak, as part of the state budget proposal given every February. This is the second year of Governor Rendell's policy to fund several public school districts at a much greater rate than the others.

In the 2009-2010 fiscal year , the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 13.47% increase in Funding Funding funding for a total of $ 84,919,833. Two district school districts received an increase of more than 13% in Funding for Elementary Education in 2009-10. The Whitehall-Coplay School District received a 15.17% increase. In Pennsylvania, 15 school districts receiving Basic Education Funding increased by more than 10% in 2009. The Muhlenberg School District in Berks District received the highest increase with a 22.31% increase in funding. The increase in the number of school districts received is determined by Governor Edward Rendell and Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak through the allocations set forth in the state budget proposal made in February each year.

Funding for elementary state education to the Allentown City School District in 2008-09 was $ 74,839,642,57. In 2008, the Allentown School District reported that 13,821 students received a free lunch or low price because their families met federal poverty levels.

Block Assistance Account

The State provides additional education funding for schools in the form of Grant Block Accountability. The use of these funds is strictly focused on state-approved use designed to improve students' academic performance. Allentown City School District uses $ 4,119,825 to fund extensive teacher training through using teacher trainers, to provide kindergartens throughout the day, to extend instruction time and to provide teacher training. This annual fund is in addition to the basic education fund of the country. The School District applies annually to Block Grants Accountability. In 2009-10, the state gave $ 271.4 million in the Block of Accountability giving $ 199.5 million to provide kindergartens throughout the day.

Classroom for Future grants

The Classroom Program for the Future provides districts with hundreds of thousands of additional state funds to purchase laptop computers for each core curriculum of high school classes (English, Science, History, Mathematics) and pay teacher training to optimize computer use. The program is funded from 2006-2009. Allentown City School District does not apply for funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the district received $ 1,753,891. For the 2008-09 school year, the district received $ 320,008. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received a Class Grant for the Future. In May 2008, 30 Allen High School laptops were stolen for losing more than $ 34,000.

Education Help Assistance

State EAP funding provides ongoing support from tutoring services and other programs to meet the academic needs of eligible students. Funds are available for eligible school districts and full-time career and technology (CTC) centers where one or more schools have failed to meet at least one academic performance target, as set forth in Section 1512-C of the Pennsylvania Public School Code. In 2010-11 School District received $ 1,306,542.

More grants

The Allentown School District does not participate in: the annual grant of the Department of Environmental Education for the Protection of Pennsylvania, its PA Science Grant Baseline (effectively discontinued with the 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell), Education Grants Grant, 2012 Readers Comprehensive Works Grant Literacy, as well as Grants Grant Grant Pennsylvania 2012 and 2013.

School Upgrades Grant

In the summer of 2011, the district registered and earned more than $ 3 million in School Enhancement grants. Four school districts are eligible for funding due to poor student performance, including Mosser ES, Sheridan ES, and Union Terrace ES. Grants establish funds used to improve student achievement using one of four strategies dictated by the federal government. The strategies are: transformation, turnaround, restart with new faculty and administration or school closure that fail. The Allentown School District schools receive funding for the transformation of South Middleton Middle School. Call transformation for changes in faculty and administration evaluations, the training is mandated in proven teaching techniques and strict curriculum changes that focus on student achievement.

In 2010, the district received $ 15 million in federal School Enhancement grants. The district removed some principals as requested by the grant. They were given another job in the district.

Federal stimulus grant

The Allentown City School District receives $ 10 million ARRA, as Federal stimulus money for use in special programs, such as special education, and meets the academic needs of low-income students. Funding is limited to the 2009-10 school year and 2010-2011. Due to the nature of temporary funding, schools are repeatedly advised to use the funds for one-time spending such as: gaining equipment, making building repairs, training teachers to give more effective instruction or buying books and software.

Competing to Top Grants

Official Allentown School District applying for federal Race to the Top grant will provide several million dollars, in additional federal funding, to improve student academic achievement. Participation requires administration, school boards and local union teachers to sign agreements to prioritize improving students' academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agree to participate. Pennsylvania is not approved for grants. District failure to agree to participate is referred to as one reason why Pennsylvania is not approved.

21st Century Learning Grant

In July 2012, the Allentown School District received a federal grant run by PDE. Grants call for the establishment and sustainability of community learning centers that provide additional educational services for students in schools with high poverty and low-performing schools. The grant is competitive. Applications for grants are reviewed and assessed by a representative panel of education and professional grant writers. The Allentown School District received $ 350,000. While 101 entities are applied for funding, only 66 are approved including eight charter schools. Funding is for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

Real estate tax

Property tax rates in 2013-14 are set by the school board at 17,3155 factories. Mill is $ 1 tax for every $ 1,000 of the assessed value of the property. The irregular review of property has become a serious problem in the commonwealth because it creates significant tax disparities within a community and across regions. Property tax, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, applies only to real estate - land and buildings. Property taxes are not levied on cars, business inventory, or other private property. Some types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, funerals, private social clubs, charities and education and all government property (local, state and federal). In addition, related services, defects of US military veterans may seek exemptions from paying property taxes. Pennsylvania district school revenue is dominated by two main sources: 1) Collection of property taxes, which cover most (between 75-85%) of local income; and 2) 511 Tax Collection Act, which is about 15% of revenue for the school district. When the Pennsylvania public school district belongs to a city in two districts, each of which has different levels of property tax assessments, the state council equates tax rates between districts. In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equality Council (STEB) were widespread in Commonwealth countries and negatively impacted funding for many school districts, including those not crossing district borders.

The average annual property tax paid by Lehigh County residents is about 4.39% of their annual income. Lehigh County ranks 149th of the 3143 US counties for property taxes as a percentage of average income. According to a report compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate tax collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $ 6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $ 10,438,463,356 in 2008-09 and became $ 11,153,412,490 at in 2011. Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania was ranked 11th in the US 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 revenue (3.55%).

Act 1 Adjusted Index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rate at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not allowed to raise property taxes above their 1st annual Act 1 Index unless they: allow District voters to approve an increase by vote through a referendum or they receive an exemption from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The base index for the school year is published by PDE in the fall of each year. Each Indices Index 1 individual school district can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as the value of local property and personal income of the district. Initially, Law 1 of 2006 included 10 exceptions, including: increased pension costs, increased special education expenses, disasters such as fire or floods, increased health insurance costs for contracts in force in 2006 or reduced tax base. The base index is the average percentage of the statewide average weekly wage increase, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the previous calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Primary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Working in the US Department of Labor, for the previous 12 months ended June 30. For school districts with market value/personal income assistance ratio (MV/PI AR) greater than 0.4000, the index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of 0.75 and MV/PI AR for the current year.

In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a law that removes six of the exceptions to the Act Index 1. Some exceptions are preserved: 1) the cost to pay interest and principal arising prior to September 4, 2004 for schools Act 72 and before 27 June 2006 for non-Undang schools 72; 2) the cost to pay interest and principal of electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing specialized education programs and services (beyond what the State has already paid); and 4) costs due to the increase of more than Index in the distribution of school payments to PSERS (PA employee pension fund) by considering the level of PSERS contribution required by the state. The legislature also froze the salary amounts used by public school districts to calculate the exclusion of retirement plans at the 2012 pay rate. Further pay increases can not be used to raise district exclusions for pension payments.

A special timeline for the decision of Index I is published annually, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The School District Adjusted Index history untuk Allentown School District:

For fiscal year 2013-14 The Allentown School Board proposes three exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limits: School Construction Contract Debts, special tuition fees and rapidly increasing teacher pension fees. For the 2013-14 school year budget, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution stating that tax rates would not rise above their index. 171 other school districts adopted an initial budget that opened options beyond the Index limits. For the exclusion of retirement fees, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received partial approval of their request. For special education expenses, 75 counties received approval to exceed their tax limit. For the exception of pension costs, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven public school districts of Pennsylvania received approval to pay construction debts.

For the 2012-13 fiscal year , the Allentown School Board proposes three exceptions to exceed Index Act 1: School Construction Contract Debts, special tuition fees, and increased teacher pension costs. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution stating that tax rates will not be increased above their index; 223 school districts adopt an initial budget that opens options beyond the Index limits. For exceptions to pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education expenses, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.

For the 2011-12 school year , the Allentown School Board proposed three exceptions to go beyond Index Act 1: Grandpa's School Construction, special tuition fees and increased teacher pension costs. Each year, the Allentown School Board has the option to adopt: 1) a resolution in January stating that they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) the initial budget in February. A school district that adopts a resolution may not apply to a referendum exemption or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index.

According to country reports, for the 2011-2012 school year budget, 247 school districts adopted a resolution stating that tax rates would not rise above their index; 250 school districts adopted an initial budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted the initial budget, 231 adopted a real estate tax rate that exceeded their index. The increase in tax rates in 19 other school districts that adopted the initial budget did not exceed the school district index. Of the districts that seek exemption: 221 using the waiver of pension costs and 171 seeking exemption of Special Education fees. Only 1 school district requested an exception for the Non-Academic School Construction Project, while 1 sought exceptions for election debt for school construction.

For the 2010-11 budget , the Allentown School Board proposes two exceptions to go beyond the index of Act 1: the cost of special education and increased teacher pension costs.

For the 2009-10 school budget , the Allentown School Board does not apply for exemptions above the Index. In the spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school councils were asked to exceed the adjusted index. Approval was given to 133 of them and 128 looked for exceptions to increase pension costs.

Property tax takedown

In 2012, in the Allentown School District, 18,246 approved homestead properties receive $ 528. The relief is deducted from the total annual school property tax bill. The property owner applying for help through the local Treasurer's office. Farmers can meet sya

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