Gateway School District - Budget

Budget

In 2009, the district employed over 340 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $69,609 for 180 days instructing students and 191 total days. The beginning salary was $42,804, while the highest salary was $113,568. The beginning salary was whole the highest salary was $147,000. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, 5 paid bereavement days and other benefits. Teachers receive a payment of $100.00 for each unused day of sick leave at retirement, death or severance. The District grants the union thirty-five (35) teacher days of release time for attendance at State and National Conventions of PSEA and NEA respectively and additional conferences designated by the Association. The union may carry over ten (10) such days to a maximum of forty-five (45) days in any one year. Teachers work an 7 hour 30 minute day, which includes at least one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch. Many teachers are required to teach only 6 periods a 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 average teacher salary in the district was $65,775 for 180 days worked. The district ranked second in Allegheny County for average teacher salary in 2007. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977. As of 2007, Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the nation for teacher compensation.

Gateway School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $840 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In May 2010, the school board awarded a four-year contract to Joseph A. Petrella as superintendent, at a starting salary of $140,000. The contract includes annual 3 percent salary increases and an extensive benefits package including a defined benefit pension, life insurance, health insurance and more.

The district reported that its per pupil spending was $14,468. This ranked 81st among 501 Pennsylvania public school districts.

In 2008, the district reported an unreserved designated fund balance of $3,546,754.00 and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $6,995,966.00. In 2010, the reserves were an unreserved designated fund balance of $3,679,754 and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $4,773,348.

In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the district. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration.

For the 2011-12 school year the district laid off 12 teachers and eliminated 30 full-time and part-time aides, three custodians and two administrative positions. The teacher layoffs were due to declining enrollment and program changes. Eleven teacher positions were also eliminated through attrition.

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 income level.