Peters Township School District - Budget

Budget

In 2009, the district reports employing over 305 teachers with a starting salary of $39,900 for 193 days work with 180 for pupil instruction. The average teacher salary was $61,638 while the maximum salary is $130,000. 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. Teachers work 7 hour and 30 minutes per day including a paid 30 minute lunch period and daily prep time. Additionally, Peters Township School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 5 paid bereavement days and 10 paid sick days (which accumulate), life insurance and other benefits. Teachers may take a one semester sabbatical with full pay. The teachers can qualify for a substantial bonus upon retirement. Teacher are paid extra if they cover a class during their paid prep time. 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 242 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $56,841 for 180 school days worked. This was the highest teacher compensation among Washington County school districts.

Peters Township School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $681.21 per pupil. The district is ranked 340th out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.

In 2008, Peters Township School District reported spending $9,999 per pupil. This ranked 480th in the commonwealth.

Reserves

In 2009, the district reported a $761,811 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero.

In October 2006, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board. The district was cited for repeated violations of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act by school board members.

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.