Wilkes-Barre Area School District - Budget and Taxes

Budget and Taxes

In 2008, the district reported $7,416,565 in a unreserved-designated fund balance. The undesignated fund balance was reported as zero.

In 2009, the district reported employing over 560 teachers with a salary range of $35,265 to $144,603 and a median teacher salary of $56,493 for 184 days worked. Several hundred teachers earn over $60,000 per year. Teachers work 7 hours 25 minutes per day with a 30 min lunch period and a daily prep period. In addition to salary, the teachers' compensation includes: health insurance, life insurance, 2 paid religious holidays, 1–3 days paid bereavement leave, 10 paid sick days, 2 personal days, and do not receive reimbursement for college courses. Teachers receive one half their salary while on sabbatical leave. At retirement, teachers receive payment for unused sick day, taxpayer funded health insurance until age 65 and a minimal bonus based on longevity with the district. Teachers receive extra compensation for additional duties and for extracurricular advising and sports coaching. The teachers' union officers receive time off with pay to attend to union business and to attend conventions.

In 2007, the district employed over 449 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $56,329 for 180 instructional days worked.

In 2008, Wilkes-Barre Area School District reported spending $12,252 per pupil. This ranked 247th among the 500 school districts, in the commonwealth.

The Wilkes-Barre Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $1,071 in 2008. This ranked 48th among the highest in Pennsylvania public schools. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.

In 2009, the district reported having over $38 million in outstanding General Obligation Bonds debt.

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

In 2011, the board was ordered to reimburse overpaid taxes from 2008 and 2009. The district is dealing with many tax reassessments that have meant a loss of local revenues.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax of 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 individual's level of wealth.