Budget
In 2009, the district reported employing over 100 teachers with a starting salary of $36,892 for 180 days for pupil instruction. The average teacher salary was $53,924 while the maximum salary was $108,160.
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, Columbia Borough School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, reimbursement for professional development courses, 2 paid personal days, 10 sick days, 5 paid bereavement days and many other benefits. Teachers are paid an additional hourly rate, if they are required to work outside of the regular school day. The school day is 7 hours 35 minutes for teachers. Retirees receive payment for each unused accumulated sick day. Teachers who perform additional duties receive additional in compensation. 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 district employed 110 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $49,690 for 180 school days worked.
Columbia Borough School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $622.45 per pupil. This ranked 416th among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
In 2008, Columbia Borough School District reported spending $12,517 per pupil. This ranked 218th in the commonwealth.
- Reserves
In 2009, the district reported $1,293,850 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $1,406,932.
In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Significant findings were reported to the administration and school board.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, 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. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.
Read more about this topic: Columbia Borough School District
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