Budget
In 2009, the district reports employing over 100 teachers with a starting salary of $38,000 for 180 days for pupil instruction and 8 inservice days. The average teacher salary was $46,699 while the maximum salary is $100,786. The teachers work 7 hours and 30 minutes including a paid lunch period. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked in the top 10 states in average teacher salaries. When adjusted for cost of living Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation. Additionally, Bentworth School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 sick days and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school day According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2007, the Bentworth School District employed 83 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $50,518 for 180 days worked.
The district administrative costs in 2008 were $833.39 per pupil. This ranked 155th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In August 2006, the school board awarded a three year superintendent contract to Charles Baker. The initial salary was set at $95,000 and it would increase to $100,786 in 2009. Additionally, an extensive benefits package was provided. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007–08 school year was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.
In 2008, Bentworth School District reported spending $12,865 per pupil. This ranked 189th in the commonwealth.
- Reserves
In 2009, the district reported $291,464 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.
In November 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.
The Bentworth School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, and grants coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants can provide an opportunity to supplement school funding without raising local taxes. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the income level.
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