Fort Cherry School District - Budget

Budget

In 2007, the district employed 90 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $46,792 for 180 days worked.

Fort Cherry School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $781.19 per pupil. The administrative spending ranks 220th out of 500 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.

In 2008, the district administration reported spending $12,880 per pupil which ranked 268th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts.

In 2009, the district employed 103 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $49,951 for 187 days worked. The beginning salary was $28,500, while the highest salary was $124,035. Teachers work an 7 hour 30 minutes day, with one planning period and a paid 30 minute lunch included. Hours worked may not exceed 37.5 per week. Additionally, the teachers receive: a defined benefit pension, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, 4 paid days bereavement leave and many other benefits. Early retirees receive paid health insurance benefits for the employee and spouse for up to 120 months. The district offers an extensive retirement/longevity package which includes payment for unused sick days accumulated and a payment of $13,000. The union received 3 paid days to conduct union business. The union pays for the substitute for the first 5 days. 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. In October 2009 the district and union ratified a contract with annual raises of 3% to 45 and a small employee contribution to their health insurance premium.

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 Fort Cherry School District inaccurately reported payments made to a transportation contractor, resulting in a $115,424 underpayment to the Fort Cherry School District.

Reserves In 2008, the district reported a $1,335,476 in a unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was repoted as zero.

The district is funded by a combination of: an 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 and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless the of income level.