Budget
The school district reports spending $7,669/student, about 25% over the national average of $6,058/student.
In 2007, the district employed 389 teachers and the average teacher salary in the district was $60,908 for 180 days worked. The district ranked eleventh in Allegheny County for average teacher salary in 2007. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977. 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.
As of the beginning of the 2007–2008 school year, the school employed 460 professionals. Teachers are paid on an 18-step schedule, from $39,955 (minimum with bachelor's degree) to $89,520 (maximum with master's degree plus credits). Currently 68% of teachers have a master's degree or higher.
Mt Lebanon School District administrative costs per pupil were $782.18 in 2008. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The Pennsylvania School Board Association tracks salaries for Pennsylvania public school employees. It reports that in 2008 the average superintendent salary in Pennsylvania was $122,165.
In 2005, Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner conducted an audit of the school district. The report faulted the school board for a confidentiality clause which held much of a termination agreement from public disclosure. Auditors found that the Mt Lebanon School District terminated Margery Sable, superintendent in October 2005 at 16 months into a five year contract with a payment of $500,000. The reason for the termination was not released to the public.
The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a local real property tax, a real estate transfer tax, and a per capita tax, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. Grants 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.
Read more about this topic: Mt. Lebanon School District
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