Budget
In 2009, the district reported employing 152 teachers and administrators with a salary range of $31,000 to $101,468. The average teacher salary was $43,265. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits.
In 2007, the district employed 108 teachers who earned an average teacher salary of $38,246 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. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, personal days, sick days, and other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the state teacher retirement fund, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
The district administrative costs per pupil were $553.68 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
In 2008 the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $9,126 which ranked 220th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010 the per pupil spending had increased to $10,861.41. 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.
Reserves In 2008, the district reported a balance of $500,000 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $2,093,707. In 2010, Mount Carmel Area Administration reported a decline to $1,099,318 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. There was $700,000 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 January 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the school board and administration.
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. By Pennsylvania law, pension income and social security income are exempt from Pennsylvania personal income tax and from local earned income tax, regardless of the level of income.
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