Eastern York School District - Budget

Budget

In 2009, the district reported employing 303 teachers and administrators with a median salary of %57,735 and a top salary of $147,835. Teacher work 188 days with 180 student days. The work day is 7.5 hours with a 30 minute duty free lunch and a daily preparation period. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2-3 paid personal days depending on longevity, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits. Retiring teacher receive a severance payment for unused sick days with a maximum of over $15,000. In 2011, the average teacher salary in Eastern York School District had increased to $60,426.09 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $13,387.58 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $73,813.66. 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, Eastern York School District employed 204 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $51,567 for 188 days worked. In 2007, the district's starting salary was $37,400 and the top teacher salary was $68,805.

Eastern York School District administrative costs was $690.78 per pupil in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 in 2008. In 2007, the Average District Administrator salary in Eastern York School District was $75,749. The Average School Administrator salary in Eastern York School District was $71,805 which ranked sixth in York County. In February 2010, the Eastern York School Board awarded a five-year contract effective July 1, 2010 to Darla Pianowski, as Superintendent. In 2009, Dr Pianowski earned $141,240. In July 2010, her salary will increase 8 percent to $160,000 a year. For the remaining four years of the contract she will receive a five percent increase that will take her salary to over $194,000 by the 2014-2015 school year. She was also awarded an extensive benefits package which includes: health insurance, life insurance, annual dues, paid travel, 20 days paid vacation, defined benefit pension and more.

Reserves - In 2008, the district reported a $2,797,662.00 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as $1,880,000.00. In 2010, Eastern York Administration reported an increase to $2,832,280.00 in the unreserved-undesignated fund and $2,740,000 in its Unreserved - Designated Fund. Pennsylvania school district reserve funds are divided into two categories – designated and undesignated. The undesignated funds are not committed to any planned project. Designated funds and any other funds, such as capital reserves, are allocated to specific projects. School districts are required by state law to keep 5 percent of their annual spending in the undesignated reserve funds to preserve bond ratings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.

In 2008, the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,427 which ranked 230th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, the per pupil spending had increased to $13,344. 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 June 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.

In June 2012 the School Board cut $814,000 from the administration's proposed 2012-13 budget, by reducing the technology budget, reducing the buildings and grounds budget, reducing estimated utility costs, eliminating an elementary librarian position, eliminating a career counselor at the high school, eliminating one special education teacher at the high school and reducing summer help.

According to an extensive study of York County school districts conducted by APA Associates in 2008, Eastern York School District achieved a +2 rating based on Performance and Relative Efficiency. Central York School District and Northeastern York School District both achieved a ranking of +10. Eleven out of 16 York County district achieved a positive rating.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local 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 of the income level.