Bermudian Springs School District - Budget

Budget

In 2011, the district reported employing 158 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $57,353 and a top salary of $126,198. The teacher’s work day is 7 hours 30 minutes (includes a preparation period and 30 minute duty free lunch) with 188 days in the contract year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits including a $10,000 retirement bonus. In 2011, the average teacher salary in BSSD was $52,805.13 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $18,787.21 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $71,572. 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 2008, the district reported $873,981.00 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. In 2010, the district's unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $2,592,600.

In October 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General released a Performance Audit of the school district. It found that the district had several serious findings including an issue involving a conflict of interest violation that was reported to the State Ethics Commission. Several board members had failed to file an annual Statement of Financial Interest. The report of the audit were reported to the school board and the administration.

In 2008, per pupil spending at Bermudian Springs School District was $10,099 for each child. This ranked 471st among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts. By 2010, the per pupil spending has increased to $10,581.60.

The district's administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $828.72 per pupil. This spending ranked 160th among all Pennsylvania school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The district reported spending $1,730,363 on administration.

In 2009, the district reported having $30,233,325 in outstanding debt.

For the 2009 school year, the district reports employing over 150 teachers with a salary range of $38,000 to $115,500 for 188 days a year (180 pupil instruction days). Additionally, teachers receive a benefits package that includes: health insurance (employee pays 5%, $60/month), life insurance, paid 10 sick days which accumulate, 2 paid personal days, paid bereavement leave, reimbursement for college courses, a $10,000 retirement incentive bonus, teachers who retire before age 65 years, receive full taxpayer funded, health insurance benefit until they reach age 65, and many other benefits. Teachers are paid for unused sick days upon retirement. Teachers working for the district for at least 10 years may take a sabbatical leave every 7 years where they receive full benefits and one-half their regular salary during the leave. Members of the local teachers' union are granted 4 days with pay to conduct union business including attending the union's convention. The union pays for a substitute teacher. In 2011, the average teacher salary in BSSD was $62,805 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $18,767.21 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $71,572.33. 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 2007, the district employed 130 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $49,962 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.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.7%, 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 of the income level.