Everett Area School District


Everett Area School District is a small, rural, public school district in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. It serves a rural region and encompasses the borough of Everett and the townships of West Providence, East Providence, Monroe, Southampton, and Mann. Everett Area School District encompasses of southern Pennsylvania. According to 2000 federal census data, Everett Area School District served a resident population of 9,949. Per US Census Bureau data, the resident population declined to 9,704 in 2010. The educational attainment levels for the Everett Area School District population were 81.9% high school graduates and 11.6% college graduates. The District is one of the 500 public school districts of Pennsylvania.
According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, 50.5% of the District's pupils lived at 185% or below the Federal Poverty level as shown by their eligibility for the federal free or reduced price school meal programs in 2012. In 2009, the District residents’ per capita income was $16,205, while the median family income was $35,435. In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010. In Bedford County, the median household income was $40,249. By 2013, the median household income in the United States rose to $52,100.
According to District officials, the District provided basic educational services to 1,415 pupils in 2011. It employed: 89 teachers, 30 full-time and part-time support personnel, and five administrators during the 2011-12 school year. Everett Area School District received $8.8 million in state funding in the 2011-12 school year. Per Everett Area School District officials, in school year 2007-08 the EASD provided basic educational services to 1,508 pupils through the employment of 104 teachers, 85 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 5 administrators. EASD received more than $8.2 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
For the 2003-04 school year, Everett Area School District provided basic educational services to 1,545 pupils through the employment of 6 administrators, 110 teachers, and 82 full-time and part-time support personnel.
Everett Area School District operates four schools: Breezewood Elementary School, Everett Area Elementary School, Everett Area Middle School and Everett Area High School. High school students can attend the Bedford County Technical Center for training in the construction trades or culinary arts as well as other careers.

Governance

Everett Area School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The federal government controls programs it funds like: Title I funding for low income children in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates the district focus resources on student success in acquiring reading and math skills. The Superintendent and Business Manager are appointed by the school board. The Superintendent is the chief administrative officer with overall responsibility for all aspects of operations, including education and finance. The Business Manager is responsible for budget and financial operations. Neither of these officials are voting members of the School Board. The School Board enters into individual employment contracts for these positions. In Pennsylvania, public school districts are required to give 150 days notice to the Superintendent regarding renewal of the employment contract.
The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the school board and district administration a "F" for transparency based on a review of "What information can people find on their school district's website". It examined the school district's website for information regarding; taxes, the current budget, meetings, school board members names and terms, contracts, audits, public records information and more.

Academic achievement

In 2015, Everett Area School District ranked 340th out of 493 Pennsylvania public school districts, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking is based on the last 3 years of student academic achievement as demonstrated by PSSAs results in: reading, writing, math and science and the three Keystone Exams in high school. Three school districts were excluded because they do not operate high schools. The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th. Adapted PSSA examinations are given to children in the special education programs. Writing exams were given to children in 5th and 8th grades.
In 2009, the academic achievement, of the students in the Everett Area School District, was in the 40th percentile among all 500 Pennsylvania school districts Scale
;STEM Study
A 2010 study by The 21st Century Partnership for STEM Education found that students in the Everett Area School District were among the most improved from 2004-2010. The district's Advanced reading score rose 21.9 points on the PSSAs. Over the same time period, the percentage of the district's students achieving advanced level in math rose 28.8 points.

District AYP status history

In 2012, Everett Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress status. In 2011, Everett Area School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress. In 2011, 94 percent of the 500 Pennsylvania public school districts achieved the No Child Left Behind Act progress level of 72% of students reading on grade level and 67% of students demonstrating on grade level math. In 2011, 46.9 percent of Pennsylvania school districts achieved Adequate Yearly Progress based on student performance. An additional 37.8 percent of Pennsylvania public school districts made AYP based on a calculated method called safe harbor, 8.2 percent on the growth model and 0.8 percent on a two-year average performance.
Everett Area School Administration was required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to develop a School Improvement Plan to address the schools' low student achievement. Under the Pennsylvania Accountability System, the school district must pay for additional tutoring for struggling students.

Graduation rate

In 2014, the District's graduation rate was 87%.
;According to former graduation rate calculations:
Everett Area High School is located at 1 Renaissance Circle, Everett. In 2014, enrollment was reported as 455 pupils in 9th through 12th grades, with 54% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 25% of pupils received special education services, while 2,8% of pupils were identified as gifted. The school employed 27 teachers. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school is not a federally designated Title I school.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, Everett Area High School reported an enrollment of 461 pupils in grades 9th through 12th, with 183 pupils eligible for a federal free or reduced price lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. In 2012, Everett Area High School employed 27 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 17:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind. In 2010, the attendance rate was 94%.
The Appalachia Intermediate Unit Summer Academy provides high school sophomores, juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit in an intensive 6-week course. The blended learning instruction combines face-to-face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities to form an integrated instructional approach. Classes are taught by certified adjunct college professors from Mount Aloysius College.
;2014 School Performance Profile:
Everett Area High School achieved 66.8 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 84% were on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 67% showed on grade level skills at the end of the course. In Biology, 55.9% demonstrated on grade level science understanding at the end of the course. Statewide, the percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in Algebra I increased to 39.7% to 40.1%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in reading/literature declined to 52.5%. The percentage of high school students who scored proficient and advanced in biology improved from 39.7% to 41.4%.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,134 of 2,947 Pennsylvania public schools, achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Fifty-three percent of schools statewide received lower SPP scores compared with last year's, while 46 percent improved. A handful were unchanged. Compared with last year, the percentage of schools that earned below 60 declined by nearly 1 percent per Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq. She reported that this is an indication that student achievement is improving as school resources are being used better.
;2013 School Performance Profile:
Everett Area High School achieved 65 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 83% on grade level. In Algebra 1, just 66% showed on grade level skills. In Biology, 50% showed on grade level science understanding. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools, achieved an academic score of 70 or higher. Pennsylvania 11th grade students no longer take the PSSAs. Instead, beginning in 2012, they take the Keystone Exams at the end of the associated course.

AYP and PSSAs

In 2012, Everett Area High School was in Warning Adequate Yearly Progress status due to low achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2011, Everett Area High School was also in Warning AYP status. Effective with Spring 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education discontinued administering the PSSA's to 11th graders.
; PSSA Results:
Pennsylvania System of School Assessments, commonly called PSSAs are No Child Left Behind Act related examinations which were administered from 2003 through 2012, in all Pennsylvania public high schools. The exams were administered in the Spring of each school year. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam included content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies. The mathematics exam included: algebra I, algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The standards were first published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.
In 2013, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania changed its high school assessments to the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1, Reading/literature and Biology1. The exams are given at the end of the course, rather than all in the spring of the student's 11th grade year.
; 11th Grade Reading:
; 11th Grade Math:
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Among Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts, graduation requirements widely vary. The Everett Area School Board has determined that a pupil must earn 26 credits to graduate, including: a required class every year in English, math - 3 credits, social studies 3 credits, science, Physical Education 4 courses, Family Living 1 course, Problems of Democracy 1 course, Health 10/Driver Education 1 course, Computer Tech 1⁄2 - 1 planned course and electives 8 courses.
By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district. At Everett Area High School, students are required to complete 30 hours of service learning time as a requirement for graduation. Students are expected to use their skills learned in high school to address an issue in the community. Effective with the graduating class of 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Education eliminated the state mandate that students complete a culminating project in order to graduate.
By Pennsylvania State School Board regulations, beginning with the class of 2017, public school students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, and English Literature by passing the respective Keystone Exams for each course. The exam is given at the end of the course. Keystone Exams replace the PSSAs for 11th grade.
Students have several opportunities to pass the exams. Schools are mandated to provide targeted assistance to help the student be successful. Those who do not pass after several attempts can perform a project in order to graduate. For the class of 2019, a Composition exam will be added. For the class of 2020, passing a civics and government exam will be added to the graduation requirements. In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students identified as having special needs and qualifying for an Individual Educational Program may graduate by meeting the requirements of their IEP.

Dual enrollment

The Everett Area High School offers the Pennsylvania dual enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. College level courses are available from Allegany College of Maryland for students in grades 10, 11 & 12. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offered a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. In 2010, the Everett Area School District received $20,977 in a state grant to be used assist students with tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions. The Pennsylvania College Credit Transfer System reported in 2009, that students saved nearly $35.4 million by having their transferred credits count towards a degree under the new system. At EAHS, students may also leave high school prior to their senior year to attend accredited institutions of higher education on a full-time basis under procedures and policies established by the superintendent and the board of school directors. In 2010, Governor Edward Rendell eliminated the grants to students, from the Commonwealth, due to a state budget crisis.

SAT scores

In 2014, 64 Everett Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 460. The Math average score was 481. The Writing average score was 452. Statewide in Pennsylvania, Verbal Average Score was 497. The Math average score was 504. The Writing average score was 480. The College Board also reported that nationwide scores were: 497 in reading, 513 in math and 487 in writing. In 2014, 1,672,395 students took the SATs in the United States.
In 2013, 66 Everett Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 456. The Math average score was 472. The Writing average score was 435. The College Board reported that statewide scores were: 494 in reading, 504 in math and 482 in writing. The nationwide SAT results were the same as in 2012.
In 2012, 54 Everett Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 460. The Math average score was 482. The Writing average score was 456. The statewide Verbal SAT exams results were: Verbal 491, Math 501, Writing 480. In the US, 1.65 million students took the exams achieving scores: Verbal 496, Math 514, Writing 488. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400. According to the College Board the maximum score on each section was 800, and 360 students nationwide scored a perfect 2,400.
In 2011, 54 Everett Area School District students took the SAT exams. The District's Verbal Average Score was 490. The Math average score was 519. The Writing average score was 468. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. In the United States, 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a research arm of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, compared the SAT data of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania to students in urban areas. From 2003 to 2005, the average total SAT score for students in rural Pennsylvania was 992, while urban students averaged 1,006. During the same period, 28 percent of 11th and 12th graders in rural school districts took the exam, compared to 32 percent of urban students in the same grades. The average math and verbal scores were 495 and 497, respectively, for rural students, while urban test-takers averaged 499 and 507, respectively. Pennsylvania's SAT composite score ranked low on the national scale in 2004. The composite SAT score of 1,003 left Pennsylvania ranking 44 out of the 50 states and Washington, DC. The Pennsylvania Department of Education reported that 71 percent of students in rural areas of Pennsylvania chose to continue their education after high school in 2003, whereas 79 percent of urban high school graduates opted to continue their education.

Middle school

Everett Area Middle School is located at 1 Renaissance Circle, Everett. It shares the building that houses the high school. In 2014, EAMS enrollment was 291 pupils, in grades 6th through 8th, with 57.7% of pupils eligible for a free lunch due to family poverty. Additionally, 18.5% of pupils received special education services, while 2% of pupils were identified as gifted. According to a 2014 report, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, Everett Area Middle School reported an enrollment of 237 pupils, in grades 7th and 8th, with 106 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 14.5 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.
;2014 School Performance Profile:
Everett Area Middle School achieved 68.7 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, mathematics and science achievement. In reading/literature - 72% of pupils were on grade level. In Algebra 1/Math, 72% showed on grade level mathematics skills. In Science, only 60% of 8th graders showed on grade level science understanding. In writing, 70% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.
;2013 School Performance Profile:
Everett Area Middle School achieved 68.4 out of 100. Reflects on grade level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, 81.7% of the students were on grade level. In Mathematics/Algebra 1, 75% of the students showed on grade level skills. In Science, only 65% of the 8th graders demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, just 63% of the 8th grade students demonstrated on grade level writing skills.

AYP and PSSA History

In 2011 and 2012, Everett Area Middle School achieved AYP status. From 2007 to 2010, Everett Area Middle School achieved AYP status each school year.
Seventh grades have been tested, via PSSAs, in reading and mathematics since 2006. Eighth graders are tested in: reading, writing, mathematics and Science. Beginning in the Spring of 2013, eighth graders, who are enrolled in Algebra I take the Keystone Exam for Algebra I at the end of the course. The testing of 8th grade in reading and mathematics began in 1999, as a state initiative. Testing in science began in 2007. The goal is for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focus on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The standards were published in 1998 and are mandated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. In 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania Core Standards - Mathematics.
; 8th Grade Reading:
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Breezewood Elementary School is located at 133 N Main Street, Breezewood. In 2014, the School's enrollment was 99 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 64% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, none of the pupils receive special education services and none were identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full day kindergarten. Breezewood Elementary School is a federally designated Title I school.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, Breezewood Elementary School enrollment was 102 pupils in grades kindergarten through 6th, with 64 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 7 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school provided full day kindergarten to all its pupils since 2003.
;2014 School Performance Profile:
Breezewood Elementary School achieved a score of 81.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, 84% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 100% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 95% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, 92% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing only 53% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.
;2013 School Performance Profile:
Breezewood Elementary School achieved a score of 71.1 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 66% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 76% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 76% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, 93% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 42% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

AYP status history

In 2012, Breezewood Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status due to low reading achievement in several grades. In 2011, Breezewood Elementary School achieved AYP status. Breezewood Elementary School achieved AYP status each school year 2003-2010.
;PSSA History:
Each year, in the Spring, the 3rd graders take the PSSAs in math and reading. The fourth grade is tested in reading, math and science. The fifth grade is evaluated in reading, mathematics and writing. The goal was for 100% of students to be on grade level or better in reading and mathematics, by the Spring of 2014. The tests focused on the state's Academic Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and science. The Science exam is given to 4th grades and includes content in science, technology, ecology and the environmental studies.
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
;5th Grade Math
;4th Grade Reading:
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;3rd Grade Math:
Everett Area Elementary School is located at 165 E 1st Avenue, Everett. In 2014, the School's enrollment was 448 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 61% of pupils receiving a federal free or reduced price meals due to family poverty. Additionally, 18% of the pupils receive special education services, while less than 1% are identified as gifted. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of the teachers were rated highly qualified under No Child Left Behind. The school provides full day kindergarten. The school is a federally designated Title I school.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2012, EAES enrollment was 466 pupils in grades kindergarten through 5th, with 261 pupils receiving a free or reduced price lunch. The School employed 31 teachers yielding a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school provided full day kindergarten to all its pupils since 2003.
;2014 School Performance Profile:
Everett Area Elementary School achieved a score of 77.7 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2013-14, only 61.5% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 79% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 70% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, just 84% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 60% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.
;2013 School Performance Profile:
Everett Area Elementary School achieved a score of 74.4 out of 100. The score reflects on grade level: reading, science, writing and mathematics achievement. In 2012-13, only 62% of the students were reading on grade level in grades 3rd through 5th. In 3rd grade, 78% of the pupils were reading on grade level. In math, 75% were on grade level. In 4th grade science, just 67% of the pupils demonstrated on grade level understanding. In writing, only 63% of 5th grade pupils demonstrated on grade level skills.

AYP status history

In 2012, Everett Area Elementary School declined to Warning AYP status, due to low reading achievement. In 2011, Everett Area Elementary School achieved AYP status.
;PSSA history:
6th Grade Reading:
6th Grade Math:
5th Grade Reading:
;5th Grade Math
;4th Grade Reading:
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;3rd Grade Math:
According to Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment reports, there were 1,557 students enrolled in K-12 in 2006–07 school year at Everett Area School District. There were 146 students in the Class of 2007. The district's class of 2010 had 103 students. Enrollment is projected to decline to 1,199 students by 2020. In 2008, the district administrative costs were $610.00 per pupil. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. A study of Pennsylvania public school spending, conducted by Standard and Poor's, examined the consolidation of small public school districts in Pennsylvania in 2007. The study found that consolidation of the administration with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings which varied by district. Pennsylvania had 2,361 public school districts in 1959. The state compelled mergers reducing the number to 505 by 1980. Mergers slowed through the 1980s after a 1981 court order desegregated and combined the Edgewood, General Braddock, Swissvale, Churchill and Turtle Creek districts into the Woodland Hills district.
According to a 2009 school district administration consolidation proposal by Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to reduce property taxes. Consolidation of two central administrations into one would not require the closing of any schools. The Governor's proposal called for the savings to be redirected to improving lagging reading and science achievement, to enriching the academic programs or to reducing residents' property taxes. In March 2011, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fiscal Responsibility Task Force released a report which found that consolidating school district administrations with one neighboring district would save the Commonwealth $1.2 billion without forcing the consolidation of any schools.
From 2000 through 2010, rural Pennsylvania public school district enrollment decreased by 8 percent. In 2010, there were 726,417 children in rural Pennsylvania, or 21 percent of the total rural population. From 2000 to 2010, the number of children in rural counties decreased 7 percent. The decline in the number of children impacted most rural counties with 42 of Pennsylvania's 48 rural counties experiencing a decline. Cameron County, Elk County and Sullivan County experienced the greatest declines, with a decrease of more than 21 percent in all three counties. Bedford County's live birth rate was 560 births in 1990. Bedford County's live birth rate in 2000 declined to 592 births, while in 2011 it had declined further to 484 babies. Over the past 50 years, rural Pennsylvania saw a steady decline in both the number and proportion of residents under 18 years old. In 1960, 1.06 million rural residents, or 35 percent of the rural population, were children.
Pennsylvania's birth rate has been declining for two decades. According to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in 1990, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's birth rate was 171,053. In 2000, Pennsylvania's birth rate was 145,874. Finally in 2011, the State's birth rate declined further to 142,021. From 2000 to 2009, the number of babies born in rural counties declined 5 percent.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of school districts in the nation. In Pennsylvania, 80% of the school districts serve student populations under 5,000, and 40% serve less than 2,000. This results in excessive school administration bureaucracy and not enough course diversity. In a survey of superintendents of small public school districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.

Special education

In December 2013, Everett Area School District administration reported that 253 pupils or 19.6% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 46% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2011, the District administration reported that 272 pupils or 19.2% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 47.8% of the identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the District administration reported that 295 pupils or 20.4% of the district's pupils received Special Education services. Special education services in the Commonwealth are provided to students from ages three years to 21 years old. In the 2010-2011 school year, the total student enrollment was more than 1.78 million students with approximately 275,000 students eligible for special education services. Among these students 18,959 were identified with mental retardation and 21,245 students with autism. The largest group of students are identified as Specific Learning Disabilities 126,026 students and Speech or Language Impairments with 43,542 students.
In 2007, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak testified before the Pennsylvania House Education Committee regarding full day kindergarten. He claimed that districts which offered the program would see a significant decrease in special education students due to early identification and early intervention. He asserted the high cost of full day kindergarten would be recouped by Districts in lower special education costs.
Everett Area School District engages in identification procedures to ensure that eligible students receive an appropriate educational program consisting of special education and related services, individualized to meet student needs. At no cost to the parents, these services are provided in compliance with state and federal law; and are reasonably calculated to yield meaningful educational benefit and student progress. To identify students who may be eligible for special education, various screening activities are conducted on an ongoing basis. These screening activities include: review of group-based data ; hearing, vision, motor, and speech/language screening; and review by the Instructional Support Team or Student Assistance Team. When screening results suggest that the student may be eligible, the District seeks parental consent to conduct a multidisciplinary evaluation. Parents who suspect their child is eligible may verbally request a multidisciplinary evaluation from a professional employee of the District or contact the Supervisor of Special Education. The IDEA 2004 requires each school entity to publish a notice to parents, in newspapers or other media, including the student handbook and website regarding the availability of screening and intervention services and how to access them.
In 2010, the state of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for Special Education services. The funds were distributed to districts based on a state policy which estimates that 16% of the district's pupils are receiving special education services. This funding is in addition to the state's basic education per pupil funding, as well as, all other state and federal funding. The Special Education funding structure is through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds and state appropriations. IDEA funds are appropriated to the state on an annual basis and distributed through intermediate units to school districts, while state funds are distributed directly to the districts. Total funds that are received by school districts are calculated through a formula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education oversees four appropriations used to fund students with special needs: Special Education; Approved Private Schools; Pennsylvania Chartered Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and Early Intervention. The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district's students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student's needs accrue the same level of costs. Over identification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education. The state requires each public school district and charter school to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive requiring schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.
Everett Area School District received a $890,425 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12, 2012–13 and 2013-14 school years, all Pennsylvania public school districts received the same level of funding for special education that they received in 2010-11. This level funding is provided regardless of changes in the number of pupils who need special education services and regardless of the level of services the respective students required. For the 2014-2015 school year, EASD received an increase to $908,535 from the Commonwealth for special education funding, even though the number of children served has dropped. Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.
In 2013, the state's Special Education Funding Reform Commission provided a report on the state of funding for special education in the Commonwealth. Funding for special education programs is borne largely on a local basis at 60%, with the state contributing $1 billion or 30% and the federal government providing 10% of the funding.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 21 or 1.47% of its students were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. Students identified as gifted attending the high school have access to a dual enrollment program with local colleges. Gifted students in grades 2-9 have access to a program called Talent Pool which provides students with a variety of enrichment activities. The referral process for a gifted evaluation can be initiated by teachers or parents by contacting the student's building principal and requesting an evaluation. All requests must be made in writing. To be eligible for mentally gifted programs in Pennsylvania, a student must have a cognitive ability of at least 130 as measured on a standardized ability test by a certified school psychologist. Other factors that indicate giftedness will also be considered for eligibility.

Bullying policy and school safety

In 2014, the District reported there were no incidents of bully. There were seven incidents involving local police. There were 3 incidents of Obscene and other sexual materials and three cases of Reckless Endangerment. The Everett Area School District administration reported there were 2 incidents of bullying in the district in 2009.
The Everett Area School Board has provided the district's antibully policy online. All Pennsylvania schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy incorporated into their Code of Student Conduct. The policy must identify disciplinary actions for bullying and designate a school staff person to receive complaints of bullying. The policy must be available on the school's website and posted in every classroom. All Pennsylvania public schools must provide a copy of its anti-bullying policy to the Office for Safe Schools every year, and shall review their policy every three years. Additionally, the district must conduct an annual review of that policy with students. The Center for Schools and Communities works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to assist schools and communities as they research, select and implement bullying prevention programs and initiatives.
Education standards relating to student safety and antiharassment programs are described in the 10.3. Safety and Injury Prevention in the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education.

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. An annual operating budget is prepared by school district administrative officials. A uniform form is furnished by the PDE and submitted to the board of school directors for approval prior to the beginning of each fiscal year on July 1.
Under Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act, Act 1 of the Special Session of 2006, all school districts of the first class A, second class, third class and fourth class must adopt a preliminary budget proposal. The proposal must include estimated revenues and expenditures and the proposed tax rates. This proposed budget must be considered by the Board no later than 90 days prior to the date of the election immediately preceding the fiscal year. The preliminary budget proposal must also be printed and made available for public inspection at least 20 days prior to its adoption. The board of school directors may hold a public hearing on the budget, but are not required to do so. The board must give at least 10 days’ public notice of its intent to adopt the final budget according to Act 1 of 2006.
In 2013, the average teacher salary in Everett Area School District was $56,684 a year. The District employed 154 teachers and administrators with a top salary of $106,000. In 2011, the average teacher salary in EASD was $58,194 a year. The District employed 102 teachers and administrators with a top salary of $101,000. Everett Area School District teacher and administrator retirement benefits are equal to at least 2.00% x Final Average Salary x Total Credited Service. After 40 years of service, a teacher can retire with 100% of the average salary of their final 3 years of employment.
In 2009, Everett Area School District reported employing over 100 teachers with a starting salary of $43,084 for 185.5 days work with 182 student days. The average teacher salary was $56,924 while the maximum salary is $101,405. In Pennsylvania, the average teacher salary for Pennsylvania's 124,100 public school teachers was $54,977 in 2008. 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, Everett Area School District teachers receive a defined benefit pension, taxpayer fully funded health insurance, retirement health insurance, 5 days bereavement leave, professional development reimbursement, 2 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days, accumulated sick days death benefit, taxpayer funded life insurance and other benefits. Head teachers receive $4,957 in compensation beyond their salary. According to State Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.
In 2007, the Everett Area School District employed 95 teachers. The average teacher salary in the District was $52,301 for 182 school days worked.
Administration costs Everett Area School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $610.00 per pupil. The district is ranked 430th out of 500 in Pennsylvania for administrative spending. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil.
Per pupil spending In 2008, Everett Area School District reported spending $10,602 per pupil. This ranked 430th in the commonwealth. In 2013, the per pupil spending was reported as $13,487.05. In 2011, Pennsylvania's per pupil spending was $13,467, ranking 6th in the United States. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was reported as $12,759. Among the fifty states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. Pennsylvania's total revenue per pupil rose to $16,186 ranking 9th in the nation in 2011.
;Reserves
In 2009, Everett Area School District reported a $2,321,839 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero. In 2010, Everett Area School District Administration reported an increase to $2,438,659 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The District also reported $200,000 in its unreserved-designated fund in 2010. Pennsylvania public 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 2005, the total reserve funds held by Pennsylvania public school districts was $1.9 billion. By 2013, reserves held by Pennsylvania public school districts, as a whole, had increased to over $3.8 billion.
Audits In July 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. Findings were reported to the administration and school board. In 2014, the District was audited again by the Pennsylvania Auditor General.
Tuition Students who live in the District's attendance area may choose to attend one of Pennsylvania's 157 public charter schools. A student living in a neighboring public school district or a foreign exchange student may seek admission to Everett Area School District. For these cases, the Pennsylvania Department of Education sets an annual tuition rate for each school district. It is the amount the public school district pays to a charter school for each resident student that attends the charter and it is the amount a nonresident student's parents must pay to attend the District's schools. The 2013 tuition rates are Elementary School - $8,864.08, High School - $9,725.26.
Everett Area School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1.1%, a $10 local services tax, 2 - $5 per capita taxes, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax, 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 of the individual's wealth.

State basic education funding

According to a report from Representative Todd Stephens office, Everett Area School District receives 50% of its annual revenue from the state. This meets the goal of the state providing 50% of district funding.
For the 2014-15 school year, Everett Area School District received $5,577,447 in State Basic Education funding. The District also received $195,013 in new Ready To Learn Block grant. The State's enacted Education Budget includes $5,526,129,000 for the 2014-2015 Basic Education Funding. The Education budget also includes Accountability Block Grant funding at $100 million and $241 million in new Ready to Learn funding for public schools that focus on student achievement and academic success. The State is paying $500.8 million to Social Security on the school employees behalf and another $1.16 billion to the state teachers pension system. In total, Pennsylvania's Education budget for K-12 public schools is $10 billion. This was a $305 million increase over 2013-2014 state spending and the greatest amount ever allotted by the Commonwealth for its public schools.
In the 2013-2014 school year, Everett Area School District received a 1.8% increase or $5,581,704 in Pennsylvania Basic Education Funding. This is $100,037 more than its 2012-13 state BEF to the District. Additionally, Everett Area School District received $101,256 in Accountability Block Grant funding to focus on academic achievement and level funding for special education services. Among the public school districts in Cambria County, Westmont Hilltop School District received the highest percentage increase in BEF at 2.5%. The District had the option of applying for several other state and federal grants to increase revenues. The Commonwealth's budget increased Basic Education Funding statewide by $123 million to over $5.5 billion. Most of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts received an increase of Basic Education Funding in a range of 0.9% to 4%. Eight public school districts received exceptionally high funding increases of 10% to 16%. The highest increase in state funding was awarded to Austin Area School District which received a 22.5% increase in Basic Education Funding. The highest percent of state spending per student is in the Chester-Upland district, where roughly 78 percent comes from state coffers. In Philadelphia, it is nearly 49 percent. As a part of the education budget, the state provided the PSERS with $1,017,000,000 and Social Security payments for school employees of $495 million.
For the 2012-13 school year, Everett Area School District received $5,481,667. The Governor's Executive Budget for 2012-2013 included $9.34 billion for kindergarten through 12th grade public education, including $5.4 billion in basic education funding, which was an increase of $49 million over the 2011-12 budget. In addition, the Commonwealth provided $100 million for the Accountability Block Grant program. Everett Area School District received $101,256 in Accountability Block Grant funds. The state also provided a $544.4 million payment for School Employees’ Social Security and $856 million for School Employees’ Retirement fund called PSERS. This amount was a $21,823,000 increase over the 2011-2012 appropriations for Basic Education Funding, School Employees' Social Security, Pupil Transportation, Nonpublic and Charter School Pupil Transportation. Since taking office, Corbett's first two budgets have restored more than $918 million in support of public schools, compensating for the $1 billion in federal stimulus dollars lost at the end of the 2010-11 school year.
In 2011-12 school year, Everett Area School District received a $5,481,667 allocation, of state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the Everett Area School District received $101,000 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget included $5,354,629,000 for the 2011-2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount was a $233,290,000 increase over the enacted State appropriation for 2010-2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District of Allegheny County, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12. In 2010, the district reported that 712 students received free or reduced price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level. Some Pennsylvania public school districts experienced a reduction of total funding due to the termination of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011.
For the 2010-11 school year, Everett Area School District received a 5.32% increase in state Basic Education Funding resulting in a $6,060,353 payment. The highest increase in BEF in Bedford County was awarded to Bedford Area School District a 6.25% increase. Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County received the highest increase in the state at 23.65% increase in funding for the 2010-11 school year. One hundred fifty school districts received the base 2% increase in 2010-11. The amount of increase each school district received was determined by then Governor Edward Rendell and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year.
In the 2009-2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 6.17% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $5,753,959. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008-09 was $5,419,328. The district also received supplemental funding for English language learners, Title 1 federal funding for low-income students, for district size, a poverty supplement from the commonwealth and more. EASD received the highest increase in Bedford County for the 2009-10 school year. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 707 district students received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.

Accountability Block Grants

Beginning in 2004-2005, the state launched the Accountability Block Grant school funding. This program has provided $1.5 billion to Pennsylvania's school districts. The Accountability Block Grant program requires that its taxpayer dollars are focused on specific interventions that are most likely to increase student academic achievement. These interventions include: teacher training, all-day kindergarten, lower class size K-3rd grade, literacy and math coaching programs that provide teachers with individualized job-embedded professional development to improve their instruction, before or after school tutoring assistance to struggling students. For 2010-11 the Everett Area School District applied for and received $274,834 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the 7th year.

Ready to Learn grant

Beginning in the 2014-2015 budget, the State funded a new Ready to Learn Grant for public schools. A total of $100 million is allocated through a formula to districts based on the number of students, level of poverty of community as calculated by its market value/personal income aid ratio and the number of English language learners. Ready to Learn Block Grant funds may be used by the Districts for: school safety; Ready by 3 early childhood intervention programs; individualized learning programs; and science, technology, engineering and math programs.
Everett Area School District received $195,013 in Ready to Learn Grant dollars in addition to State Basic Education funding, Special Education funding, reimbursement for Social Security payments for employees and other state grants which the District must apply to receive.

Classrooms for the Future grant

The Classroom for the Future state program provided districts with hundreds of thousands of extra state funding to buy laptop computers for each core curriculum high school class and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. Everett Area School District was denied for funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08 the district received $1126,560. For the 2008-09 school year, the district received $45,413 for a total funding of $171,973. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards.

Project 720

Project 720 was a high school reform program implemented for three years under the Rendell administration. The intent was to increase academic rigor and improve the instruction of teachers in the Commonwealth's high schools. Teachers were expected to use data driven instructional practices and to meet the needs of diverse learners. The 720 in the name referred to the number of days a student was in high school in ninth through 12th grades. High school's applied for funding and were required to agree to report to the PDE their plans, their actions and the outcomes. In 2007-08 budget year, the Commonwealth provided $11 million in funding. Everett Area School District was one of 161 PA public school districts to apply, receiving $64,000 funding over three years. For 2010-11, Project 720 funding was decreased to $1.7 million by Governor Rendell. The grant program was discontinued effective with the 2011-12 state budget.

Other grants

Everett Area School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants; PA Science Its Elementary grants ; Education Assistance Grants; 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant; nor the 2012 and 2013 Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Grants;

Federal Stimulus grant

Everett Area School District received an extra $1,541,505 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students. The funding was limited by the federal government to the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee, the Governor and the Pennsylvania School Board Association, to use the funds for one-time expenditures like acquiring equipment, making repairs to buildings, training teachers to provide more effective instruction or purchasing books and software.

Race to the Top grant

Everett Area School District officials did not apply to participate in the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district over one million additional federal dollars for improving student academic achievement. Participation required the administration, the school board and the local teachers' union to sign an agreement to prioritize improving student academic success. In Pennsylvania, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Pennsylvania was not approved for the grant. The failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.

21st Century learning grant

In July 2012, Everett Area School District received a federal grant which is run by the PDE. The grant calls for the establishment and sustainability of community learning centers that provide additional educational services to students in high-poverty and low-performing schools. The grant was competitive. Applications for the grants were reviewed and scored by a panel of representatives from the educational field and professional grant writers. The school received $403,200. While 101 entities applied for the funding, only 66 were approved including eight charter schools. The funding is for the 2012-13 fiscal year. The district received $604,800 in 2010 and another $403,200 in 2013.

Common Cents state initiative

The Everett Area School Board did not participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Common Cents program. The program called for the state to audit the district, at no cost to local taxpayers, to identify ways the district could save tax dollars. After the review of the information, the district was not required to implement the recommended cost savings changes.

Real estate taxes

The school board set property tax rates in 2014-15 at 10.4260 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Irregular property reassessments have become a serious issue in the commonwealth as it creates a significant disparity in taxation within a community and across a region. Pennsylvania school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.
The average yearly property tax paid by Bedford County residents amounts to about 2.56% of their yearly income. Bedford County ranked 916th out of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. According to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the total real estate taxes collected by all school districts in Pennsylvania rose from $6,474,133,936 in 1999-00 to $10,438,463,356 in 2008-09 and to $11,153,412,490 in 2011. Property taxes in Pennsylvania are relatively high on a national scale. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranked 11th in the U.S. in 2008 in terms of property taxes paid as a percentage of home value and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income. Pennsylvania's 2011 tax burden of 10.35% ranked 10th highest out of 50 states. The tax burden was above the national average of 9.8%. Pennsylvania's taxpayers paid $4,374 per capita in state and local taxes, including school taxes.

Act 1 Adjusted index

The Act 1 of 2006 Index regulates the rates at which each school district can raise property taxes in Pennsylvania. Districts are not authorized to raise taxes above that index unless they allow voters to vote by referendum, or they seek an exception from the state Department of Education. The base index for the 2011-2012 school year is 1.4 percent, but the Act 1 Index can be adjusted higher, depending on a number of factors, such as property values and the personal income of district residents. Act 1 included 10 exceptions, including: increasing pension costs, increases in special education costs, a catastrophe like a fire or flood, increase in health insurance costs for contracts in effect in 2006 or dwindling tax bases. The base index is the average of the percentage increase in the statewide average weekly wage, as determined by the PA Department of Labor and Industry, for the preceding calendar year and the percentage increase in the Employment Cost Index for Elementary and Secondary Schools, as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor, for the previous 12-month period ending June 30. For a school district with a market value/personal income aid ratio greater than 0.4000, its index equals the base index multiplied by the sum of.75 and its MV/PI AR for the current year.
The School District Adjusted Index for the Everett Area School District 2006-2007 through 2010-2011.
For the 2014-15 budget year, Everett Area School Board applied for an exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit, due to rapidly escalating teacher pension costs. In 2014-15, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 21.4% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund. For the school budget 2014-15, 316 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above its Act 1 Index limit. Another 181 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeding the Index limit. Districts may apply for multiple exceptions each year. For the pension costs exception, 163 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full, while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 104 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Seven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for the grandfathered construction debts exception.
For the 2013-14 budget year, Everett Area School Board applied for an exceptions to exceed their Act 1 Index limit, due to teacher pension costs. In 2013-14, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 16.93% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund. For the school budget year 2013-14, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index. Another 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the pension costs exception, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed their tax limit. Eleven Pennsylvania public school districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.
For the 2012-13 budget year, Everett Area School Board applied for two exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index: special educations costs and teacher pension costs. In 2012-13, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make a 12.36% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund. For 2012-2013 budget year, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; while 223 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 194 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. For special education costs, 129 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit.
For the 2011-12 school year, Everett Area School Board applied for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index, due to rising teacher pension costs. In 2011-12, all Pennsylvania school districts were required to make an 8.65% of payroll payment to the teacher's pension fund. Each year, the School Board has the option of adopting either: 1) a resolution in January certifying they will not increase taxes above their index or 2) a preliminary budget in February. A school district adopting the resolution may not apply for referendum exceptions or ask voters for a tax increase above the inflation index.
The Everett Area School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budgets in 2009-10 and 2010-11. In the Spring of 2010, 135 Pennsylvania school boards asked to exceed their adjusted index. Approval was granted to 133 of them and 128 sought an exception for pension costs increases.

Property tax relief

In 2013, Everett Area School District approved 2,978 homestead properties to receive $197 each in property tax relief. The decline in amount was related to more residents applying for tax relief and a decline in table games tax revenues. The amount received by the District must be divided equally among all approved residences. The tax relief was subtracted from the total annual school property on the individual's tax bill. Property owners apply for the relief through the county Treasurer's office. Farmers can qualify for a farmstead exemption on building used for agricultural purposes. The farm must be at least and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption.
In 2010, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Everett Area School District was $214 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 2,747 property owners applied for the tax relief. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $632 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. This was the second year they were the top recipient.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is provided for low income Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers aged 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older living in Everett Area School District. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have income substantially more than $35,000, may still qualify for a rebate. Individuals must apply annually for the rebate. This can be taken in addition to Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief.

Wellness policy

Everett Area School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006. The policy deals with nutritious meals served at school, the control of access to some foods and beverages during school hours, age appropriate nutrition education for all students, and physical education for students K-12. The policy is in response to state mandates and federal legislation. The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006." Most districts identified the superintendent and school foodservice director as responsible for ensuring local wellness policy implementation.
The legislation placed the responsibility of developing a wellness policy at the local level so the individual needs of each district can be addressed. According to the requirements for the Local Wellness Policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision, and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Additionally, districts were required to involve a broad group of individuals in policy development and to have a plan for measuring policy implementation. Districts were offered a choice of levels of implementation for limiting or prohibiting low nutrition foods on the school campus. In final implementation these regulations prohibit some foods and beverages on the school campus. The Pennsylvania Department of Education required the district to submit a copy of the policy for approval.
Everett Area School District offers both a free school breakfast and a free or reduced-price lunch to children in low income families. All students attending the school can eat breakfast and lunch. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are provided a breakfast and lunch at no cost to the family. Children from families with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the federal poverty level can be charged no more than 30 cents per breakfast. A foster child whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or who is placed by a court with a caretaker household is eligible for both a free breakfast and a free lunch. Runaway, homeless and Migrant Youth are also automatically eligible for free meals. The meals are partially funded with federal dollars through the United States Department of Agriculture.
In 2013, the USDA issued new restrictions to foods in public schools. The rules apply to foods and beverages sold on all public school district campuses during the day. They limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item. Additionally, all snack foods sold at school must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. In order to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 all US public school districts are required to raise the price of their school lunches to $2.60 regardless of the actual cost of providing the lunch. The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 mandates that Districts raise their full pay lunch prices every year until the price of non-subsidized lunches equals the amount the federal government reimburses schools for free meals. That subsidy in 2013-2014 was $2.93.
In 2014, President Obama ordered a prohibition of advertisements for unhealthy foods on public school campuses during the school day. The Food and Drug Administration requires that students take milk as their beverage at lunch. In accordance with this law, any student requesting water in place of milk with their lunch must present a written request, signed by a doctor, documenting the need for water instead of milk.
Everett Area School District provides health services as mandated by the Commonwealth and the federal government. Nurses are available in each building to conduct annual health screenings and to dispense prescribed medications to students during the school day. Students can be excluded from school unless they comply with all the State Department of Health's extensive immunization mandates. School nurses monitor each pupil for this compliance. Nurses also monitor each child's weight.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2009, the Everett Area School District received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. All three elementary schools each received a $4,900 grant to fund SPARK equipment and Wii systems that will be utilized during physical education and health classes, recess and fitness periods for grades 1-5. Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools. The School also receive a Healthy High 5 grant in 2008.

Extracurriculars

Everett Area School District offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive sport program. Eligibility to participate is set by school board policies. Students with 2 Fs may not participate nor attend extracurriculars.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs, including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.

Athletics

Coaches receive compensation as outlined in the teachers' union contract. When athletic competition exceeds the regular season, additional compensation is paid.
According to Pennsylvania's Safety in Youth Sports Act, all sports coaches, paid and volunteer, are required to annually complete the Concussion Management Certification Training and present the certification before coaching.
Everett Area School District provides its athletics disclosure form on its web site. Article XVI-C of the Public School Code requires the disclosure of interscholastic athletic opportunities for all public secondary school entities in Pennsylvania. All school entities with grades 7-12 are required to annually collect data concerning team and financial information for all male and female athletes beginning with the 2012-13 school year and submit the information to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, all non-school contributions and purchases must also be reported to PDE.
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According to PIAA directory July 2015