South Williamsport Area School District ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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South Williamsport Area School District ANNUAL REPORT 2019 swasd.org MountieAcademy.org DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ROMMELT ELEMENTARY | GRADES 5 - 6 515 W. Central Avenue • South Williamsport, PA 17702 515 W. Central Avenue • South Williamsport, PA 17702 Telephone: 570-327-1581 Telephone: 570-320-4470 Fax: 570-326-0641 Fax: 570-567-0807 Dr. Mark E. Stamm, Superintendent Dr. Michele Loomis, Principal Jamie Mowrey, Business Manager Scott Hill, Assistant Principal Dwight Woodley, Director of Innovative JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH | GRADES 7 - 12 Learning & Information Systems 700 Percy Street • South Williamsport, PA 17702 Telephone: 570-326-2684 CENTRAL ELEMENTARY | GRADES K - 4 Fax: 570-326-2687 555 W. Mountain Avenue • South Williamsport, PA 17702 Jesse Smith, Principal Telephone: 570-323-3694 Fax: 570-320-4492 Scott Hill, Assistant Principal Robert Houseknecht, Athletic Director Dr. Michele Loomis, Principal 570-320-4449 • swasports.org An Equal Opportunity Employer in Compliance with Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. South Williamsport Area School District Annual Report 2019 CONTENTS Superintendent’s Annual Report The district is New and continuing financial Challenges entering the third year In recent years, South Williamsport, like public Superintendent’s Letter . 2 of its comprehensive schools across Pennsylvania, is struggling five-year strategic to control primarily two increasing costs: 2019-20 School Calendar . 3 plan. The plan merges mandatory employer contributions to the state national educational retirement system (PSERS) and cyber charter initiatives with local school tuition. PSERS is a known cost, but Million Mountie Lights . 3 needs. Consisting until recently, the employer contribution of of seven strategic 34.3% of every salary dollar, was projected to Mountie Quest . 4 imperatives, the decline. Much to our frustration it remained at elementary plan the elevated rate. For comparison, in 2011-12 School Safety . 4 focuses on core it was 8.65%. The disparities in this program academic and social learning; whereas, the are fixed in state law. Only the PA General secondary plan prioritizes innovation, risk, Assembly can change this. Until then, public Feasibility Study . 5 and career pathways. In spite of difficult schools will continue to struggle to meet these decisions, financial or otherwise, the district obligations. Volley Ball at South . 6 must remain fully committed to the vision for The other financial challenge the district is our schools: educating every child, to a very struggling to manage is tuition payments to SWASD Fall Sports . 6 high level, in every classroom, every day. cyber charter schools. Cyber charter schools In June, the school board approved a budget advertise, “Tuition-free to families”. In fact, the Breakfast in the Classroom . 7 of $19,743,963. With $19,662,066 in revenues, local school district pays the tuition directly the district anticipates using $81,897 of to the cyber charter school for every child committed fund balance. Every budget should enrolled. Annual tuition for each enrolled School Closings . 7 be balanced. Unfortunately, that was not child is $11,351 (regular education) and possible this year. At my recommendation, the $20,615 (special education). SWEF Foundation . 8 board eliminated seven professional positions To attempt to control this cost and to meet this year and one principal position. Those the needs of families seeking a cyber-based Substitute Teaching . 9 difficult decisions, along with other cost- education option, the district launched its saving changes, enabled the district to reduce own cyber program in January 2018: Mountie the initial deficit from over $650,000 to just Cyber School . 9 Academy (www.MountieAcademy.org) For under $82,000. comparison, tuition at Mountie Academy is Controlling Costs and $5,000 annually, offers identical programing New and Improved Website . 10 Reducing Expenditures options as every other cyber charter school, Multiple expenses were eliminated across and a South Williamsport diploma to Facebook and Twitter . 10 the district from supplies, services, salaries, graduates. and staff. Among the many reductions, the This year the district is projected to pay SWASD Fast Facts . 11 larger savings included: non-district cyber charter schools $390,500. • From the professional staff, two economic If all of these students transition their School Board Information . 12 furloughs of tenured teachers, the non- enrollment to Mountie Academy, the district renewal of three temporary professionals, will save $245,500. and the elimination of two positions Keep Looking, Keep Learning through attrition. Despite making difficult decisions to South Williamsport • From the administration, the elimination reduce expenses, property taxes increased Area School District of a principal position and a voluntary by 1.03 mills. The administration and board — pay freeze from all district administrators recognize that the district’s budget cannot rely ATHLETICS — including the superintendent. on increasing local taxes and I will continue • From athletics, the elimination of fourteen to find opportunities to reduce expenses. In paid coaching positions and a compensation the coming months, the district will begin a freeze for all remaining coaching positions. more aggressive budget preparation strategy that seeks to not only balance the budget, but These decisions reduced the breadth of also begin rebuilding financial reserves while programs available for students and school avoiding the reliance on local property taxes. supports for staff and families. However, the For up-to-date district is committed to providing diverse Dr. Mark Stamm Sports Schedules, go to… course and athletic options to students and swasports.org ensuring that the needs of staff and our Dr. Mark Stamm families are supported. Superintendent 2 For more information, visit us at: www.swasd.org South Williamsport Area School District 2019-2020 CALENDAR 2018-2019 Aug 22 Professional Day Recipients Aug 26 First Student Day Three women were honored with the Million Sept 2 Schools Closed Mountie Lights Award this Oct 14 Schools Closed past school year for their dedication to the South Nov 25, 26 Act 80 Full Days Williamsport Area School Nov 27 Professional Day District and the community. Nov 28 Schools Closed The award was created Nov 29 Schools Closed last year by the school Dec 2 Schools Closed board to give community members the opportunity to nominate South Dec 20 Weather Day (1) Williamsport residents who have done significantly noteworthy acts Dec 23-31 Schools Closed that have had a remarkable impact on learning in general, students Dec 25 Schools Closed or community educational opportunities. The goal is to celebrate an individual or group that has enhanced the ability of the district to enrich Jan 1 Schools Closed the lives of students. Jan 17 Act 80 Full Day The fall Million Mountie Lights recipients were Ms. Pat Peltier, a Jan 20 Schools Closed retired Diakon outreach counselor for kindergarten through eighth Feb 14 Weather Day (2) grade, and Ms. Theresa Summerson, girls head tennis coach at the South Feb 17 Act 80 Full Day Williamsport Area Jr/Sr High School. Feb 18 Act 80 Full Day Ms. Peltier dedicated 16 years to supporting young students through counseling. A program that continues today is Biscuit Buddies, an March 20 Weather Day (3) opportunity for Central Elementary School students to read to therapy April 8 Weather Day (5) dogs during their lunch period. She is now the president of the school- April 9 Weather Day (6) affiliated organization Mountie QUEST which seeks to provide financial April 10 Schools Closed resources to enrich the academic experiences of students. April 13 Weather Day (8) Ms. Summerson has invested eight years into the high school’s girl’s April 14 Weather Day (7) tennis program which had incredible success this year. The team had an undefeated season and was ranked in the PIAA’s top 8 teams. The talent May 22 Weather Day (4) of her players plus her encouraging and persistent coaching helped them May 25 Schools Closed achieve greatness. June 4, 5 Act 80 ½ Days This spring Mrs. Kathie June 5 Last Day Sinibaldi, the vice president June 5 Commencement of the South Williamsport Education Foundation, 180 Student Instructional Days received the award for her 182 Teacher Days involvement in the district 2 Act 80 Days/Student ½ Days as a parent volunteering 5 Act 80 Full Day whenever she was needed 2 Professional Days such as running concession 8 Weather Days stands and decorating for Professional Day – No School for Students; school dances. She is also an essential player on the South Williamsport Act 80 ½ Days – Early Dismissals Community Park Improvement Association which rebuilt the tennis courts and baseball field. Weather Day – Used as a make-up day (if Nomination forms are available at www.swasd.org under the ‘General necessary) due to a prior emergency school Information’ tab. The deadline for the fall award is September 30. closing Winners will be announced at the December board meeting. 3 South Williamsport Area School District Annual Report 2019 Supporting SCHOOL SAFETY STUDENTS’ DREAMS Over the past year Mountie Quest (Quality Experiences for Students) has generously provided $1,312 of financial assistance for students to have challenging and unique experiences outside the classroom. Mountie Quest started during the Our number one priority is safety. summer of 2018 to help students Ensuring that children and employees achieve their dreams and embark on work and learn in secure and safe schools new, challenging adventures. is foremost on the minds of district The school-affiliated organization staff. A March 2018 report by the US supported students in preparing for Department of Justice, highlights the a job interview, taking karate classes, national concern; children attend, engage, and learn more when they feel safe. attend Lycoming College for Kids Thankfully, across America, school violence has declined and assist the South Williamsport Jr/ in the past decade; and just as importantly, the attention to Sr High School’s FBLA and FCCLA school safety has increased.