Budget
In 2007, the district employed 162 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $54,609 for 180 days worked. In Pennsylvania, the average salary of the 124,100 public school teachers was $54,457. 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.
In 2009, the district employed 265 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $59,146 for 191 days worked. The beginning salary was $40,920, while the highest salary was $134,427. Teachers work an 7 hour 40 minutes day, with one planning period and a paid 35 minute, duty free lunch included. Additionally, the teachers receive: a defined benefit pension, health insurance (employee ays $35 per month), dental insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, 4 paid days bereavement leave and many other benefits. Early retirees may pay to continue their district health insurance benefits. The district offers an extensive retirement/longevity package which includes payment for unused sick days accumulated. The union receives 8 paid days to conduct union business each year. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
West Allegheny administrative costs per pupil was $915.65 in 2008. The district ranked 93 out of 501 Pennsylvania school districts in spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. In August 2011, the school board awarded 3.25% raises to administrators, and other employees. The annual salary of Superintendent John DiSanti increased from $143,445 to $148,107.
In 2008, per pupil spending at West Allegheny School District was $13,745 for each child. This ranked 121st among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.
Reserves In 2008, the district reported a $3,847,539 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was repoted as $320,361.
In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the administration and the school board by state officials. It found that the West Allegheny School District employed an uncertified teacher for 2 years. The issue was reported to the state's Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.
The district is funded by a combination of a local earned income tax, a property 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 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pension income and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless the of income level.
Read more about this topic: West Allegheny School District
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—Joseph E. Levine (b. 1905)
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—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)