Northgate School District - Budget

Budget

In 2009, Northgate School District reported employing 148 teachers and administrators with a median salary of $60,615 and a top salary of $151,666. The teacher’s work day is with days in the contract year. Additionally, the teachers receive a defined benefit pension, health insurance (teachers pay $35 per month), professional development reimbursement, paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, and other benefits. In 2011, the average teacher salary in Northgate School District was $68,123.81 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers receive was $16,757 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $74,881.23. 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 106 teachers with the average teacher salary in the district at $48,325 for 180 days worked.

The district administrative costs in 2008 were $937.72 per pupil. The district ranked 82nd out of 500 school districts for administrative spending. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. Dr. Reggie Bonfield served as Superintendent (salary $151,666 in 2009) resigning July 1, 2012. Kathleen Gallagher aassistant to the superintendent, also resigned.

In 2008, the district administration reported that per pupil spending was $12,966 which ranked 177th among Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. In 2010, Northgate's per pupil spending had increased to $13,849.25. 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. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year year 2000-01.

Reserves In 2008, the district reported a balance of $1,200,000.00 in an unreserved-designated fund. The unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $1,408,958.00. In 2010, Northgate's Administration reported $685,213.00 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. 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.

For the 2010-11 school year, Northgate School Board reduced overstaffing at the high school by 4 positions in order to balance the annual budget. The Board also reduced kindergarten to one half day with a limited full day program for students that need the full day program.

In August 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer 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 and Social Security income are exempted from state personal income tax and local earned income tax, regardless of the individual's level of wealth.