Budget
In 2007, the average teacher salary in the district was $50,105 for 180 days worked. in 2009 the district employed 417 teachers. A five year employment contract was reached after a four day strike. The teachers will receive raises of 1%, 2% and 3% in the last three years of the contract. 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, paid personal days, paid sick days, a retirement bonus 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.
The district administrative costs per pupil in 2008 were $769.82 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. Superintendent Joseph Carroll retired in 2010. His final salary was $130,000. He received an early retirement package, which included a $30,000 lump sum payment. He is retiring mid contract at the age of 60. Carroll will receive a defined benefit pension in excess of $100,000 a year that is exempted from local income tax and state income tax.
The district has a master plan to consolidate all students into three buildings by fall 2012. A new high school and single elementary center will be built to replace the current high school and four elementary schools. Funds for these capital projects come from a $130 million bond issue.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, 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.
Read more about this topic: Penn Hills School District
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