Warrior Run School District - Budget

Budget

In 2011, the average teacher salary in Warrior Run School District was $49,601 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $11,933 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $61,535. 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 Warrior Run School District reported employing 189 teacher and administrators with an average salary of $50,980 and a top salary of $115,824. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, a retirement bonus paid in a lump sum plus an early retirement inducement and other benefits. Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year teachers contribute ten percent of the premium cost attributed to the employee’s health insurance. A sabbatical leave is offered at one half salary and full benefits for one year. Time on sabbatical leave is counted toward seniority where applicable in the District, retirement fund payments, and the accumulation of sick leave.

In 2007, the district employed 124 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $47,049 for 180 days worked. > 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.

Warrior Run School District administrative costs in 2008 were $631.78 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In November 2010, the board hired Dr. John Kurelja as superintendent with a contract awarding a $115,000 initial salary for a 4.5 year term. In April 2008, the school board approved a three year for Daniel B. Sheaffer as Superintendent, with an initial salary of $112,450 beginning July 1, 2008. The contract included an extensive benefits package including: life insurance, health insurance, defined benefit pension, paid sick and vacation days, dues paid and more. In June 2010, the superintendent announced his intention to retire in December 2010.

Warrior Run School District administration reported that per pupil spending in 2008 was $10,234 which ranked 460th in the state' 501 school districts. According to an administrative report to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in 2010 the per pupil spending had risen to $10,870.94. Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.

In January 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and the school board, including possible conflicts of interests in the actions of board members.

In 2011, the school board passed a $18,800,000 budget that included raises for administration and support staff which averaged three percent. Classified staff received a 35 cent per hour increase. The district is in negotiations with the teachers' union for a new contract.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax at 1.3%, a property tax, a $5 per capita 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 Pennsylvania, both pension income and social security income are exempted from local earned income tax and state personal income tax regardless of the individual's wealth.