Duquesne City School District - Budget

Budget

In 2009, the district employed over 70 teachers. The beginning salary is $35,226 and the top salary of $74,984 paid to several teachers and administrators. The district is managed by the Pittsburgh School District.

In 2007, the district employed 54 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $45,733 for 180 days worked. 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 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.

Under the direction of PASBO, a team of school business officaals, conducted a total study and analysis of the Business Department of the Duquesne City School District in 2006. This review was requested by the School District of Pittsburgh as part of their intergovernmental agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to manage the Duquesne City School District. It noted a deficit of over $4 million, a sharp decline (24%) in student enrollment, and a declining tax base as challenges for the district.

Duquesne City administrative costs in 2008 were $818.11 per pupil which ranked 175th in the Commonwealth. The lowest administrative cost per pupil, in Pennsylvania, was $398 in 2008.

In 2008, Duquesne City School District reported spending $18,021 per pupil. This ranked 21st in the commonwealth.

Reserves

In 2008, the school district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $1,334,796.00.

In 2010, the board decided to borrow funds to make facility upgrades costing $645,000.

In October 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Multiple significant findings were reported to the administration and school board. Two teachers were employed whose certifications had expired.

In 2010, the district faced serious financial issues which prompted the state to take over the district. In 2011, the district faced another budget crisis. The tax base can no longer sustain the district. The state agreed to fund the district for the 2011-12 school year. In 2012, the children will be reassigned to neighboring districts and the Duquesne City Schools will be closed.

In 2011, the state board of Control which governs the district approved a $14 million budget which included furloughing 19 teachers. This will raise class sizes to 20 students per teacher. Also furloughed were four janitors, the parent liaison and the technology specialist. The extracurricular and sports programs were not cut for 2011-12. It will be the district's last year for athletics programs. The state anticipates sending children to other school district starting 2012-13 on a tuition basis.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local 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.