Budget
In 2009, the district reports employing over 190 teachers with a starting salary of $40,573 for 180 days for pupil instruction. The average teacher salary was $61,814 while the maximum salary is $138,565. 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, Saucon Valley School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 sick days and other benefits. Teachers are paid extra if they are required to work outside of the regular school 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 both 2008 and 2009, the teachers went on strike regarding contract issues.
In June 2011, The Saucon Valley School Board adopted a budget for 2011-12 with no tax increase and no layoffs. The board eliminated 3,5 teacher positions. The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Business Manager, administrators, secretaries, clerical workers and cafeteria workers accepted a wage freeze.
In 2007, the district employed 166 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $60,148 for 180 school days worked.
Saucon Valley School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $862.45 per pupil. The district is ranked 132nd out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
In 2008, Saucon Valley School District reported spending $14,604 per pupil. This ranked 136th in the commonwealth.
- Reserves
In 2009, the district reported $1,997,515 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $6,364,132.
In January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.
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.
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“We might come closer to balancing the Budget if all of us lived closer to the Commandments and the Golden Rule.”
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“A budget takes the fun out of money.”
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