Huntingdon Area School District - Budget

Budget

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Huntingdon Area School District was $43,330.54 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $14,392.63 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $57,,23.17. According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.

In 2009, the district reports employing over 200 teachers with a starting salary of $32,856 for 185 days work. The average teacher salary was $45,743 while the maximum salary is $102,484. In Pennsylvania, the average teacher salary for Pennsylvania's 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977 in 2008. 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, Huntingdon Area School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, a $5000 retirement bonus, 3 days bereavement leave, 2 religious holidays leave, professional development reimbursement, income protection insurance, several paid personal days, and 10 sick days, life insurance 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.

In 2007, the district employed 171 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $42,795 for 180 school days worked.

Huntingdon Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $753.32 per pupil. The district is ranked 248th out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.

In 2008, Huntingdon Area School District reported spending $10,067 per pupil. This ranked 473rd in the commonwealth.

Reserves

In 2009, the district reported a $1,901,218 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $1,581,605. In 2010, Huntingdon Area Administration reported an increase to $1,907,823 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was $1,575,928. Pennsylvania public school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.

In July 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.

In 2010, the Board was accused of violating the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act for public meetings with regard to discussion about closing two elementary schools.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, 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.