Bermudian Springs School District

Bermudian Springs School District
Address
7335 Carlisle Pike York Springs, Pennsylvania, Adams, 17372 United States
Information
Superintendent	Dr. Shane Hotchkiss, Ed.D
Principal	High- Mr. Steven Brown
Principal	Middle- Dr. Wade Hunt
Principal	Elementary- Mr. Roger Stroup
Vice principal	High- Vacant
Vice principal	Middle- Mr. Mark Fleming
Vice principal	Elementary- Mrs. Kathleen Myers
Grades	K-12
Kindergarten	157
Grade 1	151
Grade 2	158
Grade 3	168
Grade 4	142
Grade 5	147
Grade 6	171
Grade 7	176
Grade 8	150
Grade 9	158
Grade 10	157
Grade 11	158
Grade 12	156
Other	Enrollment projected to be 1811 pupils by 2020
Athletics	York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA)Div 2–3
Athletics conference	PIAA
Mascot	Eagles
Website	http://www.bermudian.org/

The Bermudian Springs School District is a small, rural, public school district created in 1970. Bermudian Springs School District encompasses approximately 75 square miles. The district includes the Boroughs of East Berlin and York Springs, as well as the village of Idaville, Huntington Township, Latimore Township, Reading Township and a small part of Hamilton Township. The 1990 U.S. census totals showed these communities have over 11,500 inhabitants. According to 2007 local census data, it serves a resident population of 13,077. In 2009, the district residents' per capita income was $16,811 a year, while the median family income was $40,063. According to District officials, in school year 2007–08 the Bermudian Springs School District provided basic educational services to 2,132 pupils through the employment of 137 teachers, 106 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 10 administrators. The Bermudian Springs School District received more than $9.3 million in state funding in school year 2007–08.

The school district is located along Pennsylvania Route 94 (Carlisle Pike) outside of York Springs The district operates Bermudian Springs High School, Bermudian Springs Middle School and Bermudian Springs Elementary School. Prior to the construction of the current elementary school, the district oversaw elementary schools in the Boroughs of East Berlin and York Springs. The high school underwent a major renovation project that was completed in March 2008.

Governance

The district is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serve four year terms), 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 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.

The district is served by the Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 which offers a variety of services including: curriculum development assistance, shared services, a group purchasing program and a wide variety of special education and special needs services.

Academic achievement

The Bermudian Springs School District was ranked 300th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts, in 2011, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on student academic performance on five years of PSSA results in: reading, writing, mathematics and three years of science.

• 2010 – 289th
• 2009 – 280th
• 2008 – 298th
• 2007 – 289th of 501 school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Graduation Rate

In 2011, the district's graduation rate was 94%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4 year cohort graduation rate. Berdumian Springs School District's rate was 95% for 2010.

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

• 2010 – 93%
• 2009 – 85%
• 2008 – 90%
• 2007 – 90%

High school

In 2011 the high school is in Warning status due to declining student achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status.

PSSA Results

11th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 62.1% on grade level, (17.1% below basic). 69.1% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 – 58%, State - 67%
• 2009 – 64%, State – 65%
• 2008 – 67%, State – 65%
• 2007 – 69%, State – 65%

11th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 53.6%, on grade level (27% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 60.3% of 11th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 – 57%, State - 59%
• 2009 – 52%, State – 56%
• 2008 – 62%, State – 56%
• 2007 – 60%, State – 53%

11th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 32.5% on grade level (18% below basic). State - 40% of 11th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 – 39%, State – 39%
• 2009 – 39%, State – 40%
• 2008 – 36%, State – 39%

College remediation: According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 32% of Bermudian Springs High School graduates required remediation in mathematics and or reading before they were prepared to take college level courses in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education or community colleges. Less than 66% of Pennsylvania high school graduates, who enroll in a four-year college in Pennsylvania, will earn a bachelor's degree within six years. Among Pennsylvania high school graduates pursuing an associate degree, only one in three graduate in three years. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Education, one in three recent high school graduates who attend Pennsylvania's public universities and community colleges takes at least one remedial course in math, reading or English.

Dual Enrollment – The high school does not offer the Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment program which permits students to earn deeply discounted college credits with the assistance of a state grant. Over 400 school districts in Pennsylvania offer their high school juniors and seniors the Dual Enrollment program.

Drop Out intervention

The district offers students who have expressed an interest in dropping out of school an alternative placement. Students who meet the entrance criteria for the York County High School are able to enroll and complete their High School education.

Graduation Requirements

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.

Bermudian Springs School Board course requirements for graduation – 27 Credits. English – 4 credits, Math – 3 credits, Science – 3 credits, Social Studies – 4 credits, Health – 1 credit (grades 9 & 11), Physical Education – 2 credits (grades 9, 10, 11, & 12), Computer – 1/2 credit (grade 9), Driver Theory – 1/2 credit (grade 10), Electives – 9 credits, NOTES: Two (2) of the elective credits must be in the Arts and/or Humanities.

By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2016, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams serve as the final course exams. Students’ Keystone Exam scores shall count for at least one-third of the final course grade.

Middle school

In 2011, the Bermudian Springs Middle School is in Warning status due to declining student achievement. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status.

PSSA Results

8th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 79.8% on grade level (10% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 81.8% of 8th graders on grade level.
• 2010 – 82%, State - 81%
• 2009 – 80%, State – 80%
• 2008 – 80%, State – 78%

8th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 77.2% on grade level (11.4% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 76.9% of 8th graders are on grade level
• 2010 – 84%, State – 75%
• 2009 – 73%, State – 71%
• 2008 – 68%, State – 70%

8th Grade Science:

• 2011 - 59.5% on grade level (22.6% below basic). State – 58.3% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2010 – 63% on grade level. State – 57% of 8th graders were on grade level.
• 2009 – 57%, State – 55%
• 2008 – 49%, State – 52%

7th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 74.4% on grade level (10% below basic). State – 76%
• 2010 – 66%, State - 73%
• 2009 – 76%, State – 71%
• 2008 – 74%, State – 70%

7th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 76.4% on grade level (% below basic). State - 78.6%
• 2010 – 74%, State – 77%
• 2009 – 76%, State – 75%
• 2008 – 74%, State – 70%

6th Grade Reading

• 2011 - 71.2% on grade level (12.2% below basic). In Pennsylvania, 69.9% of 6th graders are on grade level.
• 2010 – 79%, State - 68%
• 2009 – 64%, State – 67%
• 2008 – 73%, State – 67%

6th Grade Math:

• 2011 - 75% on grade level (13.6% below basic). State - 78.8%
• 2010 – 78%, State – 78%
• 2009 – 77%, State – 75%
• 2008 – 76%, State – 72%

In 2010, Bermudian Springs administration conducted a midpoint review of the district's strategic plan for improving student achievement.

Elementary School

In 2011, the Bermudian Springs Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2010, the school achieved AYP status. The attendance rate was 95% in 2010 and 2011.

Special education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 187 pupils or 9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.

The 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 (cumulative records, enrollment records, health records, report cards, ability and achievement test scores); 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 Special Education Supervisor.

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.

Bermudian Springs School District received a $1,048,624 supplement for special education services in 2010.

For the 2011–12 school year, 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.

Gifted education

The District Administration reported that 51 of its students or 2.46% were gifted in 2009. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. The primary emphasis is on enrichment and acceleration of the regular education curriculum. 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 and school safety

The Bermudian Springs School Administration reported there were no incidents of bullying occurring in the schools in 2009. Additionally, two students were assaulted and seven incidents of harassment occurred at the schools.

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. District administration are required to annually provide the following information with the district's Safe School Report: the board’s bullying policy, a report of bullying incidents in the school district, and information on the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention or education programs. 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

In 2008, the district reported $873,981.00 in an unreserved-undesignated fund balance. In 2010, the district's unreserved-undesignated fund balance was reported as $2,592,600.

In October 2009, the Pennsylvania Auditor General released a Performance Audit of the school district. It found that the district had several serious findings including an issue involving a conflict of interest violation that was reported to the State Ethics Commission. Several board members had failed to file an annual Statement of Financial Interest. The report of the audit were reported to the school board and the administration.

In 2008, per pupil spending at Bermudian Springs School District was $10,099 for each child. This ranked 471st among Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.

The district's administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $828.72 per pupil. This spending ranked 160th among all Pennsylvania school districts. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The district reported spending $1,730,363 on administration.

In 2009, the district reported having $30,233,325 in outstanding debt.

For the 2009 school year, the district reports employing over 150 teachers with a salary range of $38,000 to $115,500 for 188 days a year (180 pupil instruction days). Additionally, teachers receive a benefits package that includes: health insurance (employee pays 5%, $60/month), life insurance, paid 10 sick days which accumulate, 2 paid personal days, paid bereavement leave, reimbursement for college courses, a $10,000 retirement incentive bonus, teachers who retire before age 65 years, receive full taxpayer funded, health insurance benefit until they reach age 65, and many other benefits. Teachers are paid for unused sick days upon retirement. Teachers working for the district for at least 10 years may take a sabbatical leave every 7 years where they receive full benefits and one-half their regular salary during the leave. Members of the local teachers' union are granted 4 days with pay to conduct union business including attending the union's convention. The union pays for a substitute teacher.

In 2007, the district employed 130 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $49,962 for 180 days worked.

The district is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 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 income level.

State basic education funding

In 2011–12, the district will receive $5,745,323 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the district will receive $133,437 in Accountability Block Grant funding. The enacted Pennsylvania state Education budget includes $5,354,629,000 for the 2011–2012 Basic Education Funding appropriation. This amount is a $233,290,000 increase (4.6%) over the enacted State appropriation for 2010–2011. The highest increase in state basic education funding was awarded to Duquesne City School District which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12. Districts experienced a reduction in funding due to the loss of federal stimulus funding which ended in 2011.

In 2010, the district reported that 640 pupils received a free or reduced lunch due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.

For the 2010–11 school year, the Bermudian Springs School District received a 6% increase in state basic education funding for $6,325,843. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in Adams County was awarded to Conewago Valley School District at 9.66%. Among Pennsylvania school districts, the highest increase in 2010–11 went to Kennett Consolidated School District in Chester County which received a 23.65% increase in state funding. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor 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 9.26% increase in Basic Education Funding for Bermudian Springs School District a total of $5,968,044. The state Basic Education funding to the district in 2008–09 was $5,462,216.58. The highest increase in Adams County went to Conewago Valley School District which received 9.48% increase in 2009–10. Muhlenberg School District of Berks County received an increase of 22.31 percent. Sixteen school districts received an increase in funding of over 10 percent in 2009. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by the Governor and the Secretary of Education through the allocation set in the budget proposal made in February each year.

In 2009, the district reported that 577 students received a federal free or reduced lunch due to low family income.

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 Bermudian Springs School District applied for and received $362,180 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide Full Day Kindergarten, to reform the high school program and to increase instructional time for struggling students through before and after school tutoring.

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 (English, Science, History, Math) and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006–2009. Bermudian Springs School District was denied funding in 2006–07. In 2007–08 it received $257,712. The district received $46,881 in 2008–09 for a total funding of $304,593.

Federal Stimulus Grant

Bermudian Springs School District received an extra $1,141,382 in ARRA – Federal Stimulus money to be used only in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low income students.

Race to the Top grant

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands of 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. According to then Governor Rendell, failure of districts to agree to participate was cited as one reason that Pennsylvania was not approved.

Common Cents state initiative

The Bermudian Springs School Board decided to 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

Property tax rates in 2011–2012 were set at 9.7676 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. On the local level, Pennsylvania district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority (between 75–85%) of local revenues; and 2) Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts.

• 2010-11 - 42.7900 mills.
• 2009–10 – 41.1900 mills.
• 2008–09 – 39.0500 mills.
• 2007–08 – 36.1559 mills.

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 allowed 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 it 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, increasing rising health care 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 (MV/PI AR) 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. With the 2011 state education budget, the General Assembly voted to end most of the Act 1 exceptions leaving only special education costs and pension costs. The cost of construction projects will go to the voters for approval via ballot referendum.

The School District Adjusted Index for the Bermudian Springs School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.

• 2006–07 – 5.3%, Base 3.9%
• 2007–08 – 4.6%, Base 3.4%
• 2008–09 – 5.9%, Base 4.4%
• 2009–10 – 5.9%, Base 4.1%
• 2010–11 – 3.9%, Base 2.9%
• 2011–12 – 1.9%, Base 1.4%
• 2012-13 - 2.3%, Base 1.7%

For the 2011–12 school year, the Bermudian Springs School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year the Bermudian Springs 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. A specific timeline for these decisions is publisher each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

According to a state report, for the 2011–2012 school year budgets, 247 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 250 school districts adopted a preliminary budget. Of the 250 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget, 231 adopted real estate tax rates that exceeded their index. Tax rate increases in the other 19 school districts that adopted a preliminary budget did not exceed the school district’s index. Of the districts who sought exceptions 221 used the pension costs exemption and 171 sought a Special Education costs exemption. Only 1 school district sought an exemption for Nonacademic School Construction Project, while 1 sought an exception for Electoral debt for school construction.

In January 2010, the school board applied to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for referendum exemptions to raise taxes above the Act 1 limit which for 2010 was set at 3.88 percent – or 1.6 mills for Bermudian Springs School District. In April 2010, the board was notified that the request was rejected. When the Pennsylvania Department of Education denies the request, the school district must (1) reduce the tax rate increase to no more than its index or (2) submit a referendum question for voter approval in the next primary election (for school districts with a July 1 through June 30 fiscal year).

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 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Bermudian Springs School District was $168 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 3,585 property owners applied for the tax relief. Among Adams County school districts, in 2009, Upper Adams School District received the highest relief allocation at $279. 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 Chester-Upland School District was the top recipient. The relief was subtracted from the total annual school property 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 10 contiguous acres and must be the primary residence of the owner. Farmers can qualify for both the homestead exemption and the farmstead exemption. In Adams County, 74% of eligible property owners applied for property tax relief in 2009.

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. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners. The maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters is $650. Applicants can exclude one-half (1/2) of their Social Security income, so people who make 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.

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 (1.34%) and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income (3.55%).

Enrollment and Consolidation

Pennsylvania Department of Education projections of Bermudian Springs School District do not anticipate a growth in enrollment for the next decade. A Standard and Poors study found that an optimal school district size, to conserve administrative costs, was 3000 pupils. Consolidation of administrations with an adjacent school district would achieve substantial administrative cost savings for people in both communities. According to a 2009 proposal by Governor Edward Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improving high school student academic achievement, enriching the curriculum programs or to reducing local property taxes.

More than 40 percent of elementary schools and more than 60 percent of secondary schools in western Pennsylvania are projected to experience significant enrollment decreases (15 percent or greater). Pennsylvania Department of Education data shows that from 1999–2000 to 2008–09 there has been a 12 percent increase in public school staff even as there was a 1 percent decline in enrollment. Pennsylvania schools added 17,345 professional employees and 15,582 support workers over this time, while enrollment declined by 26,960. Total public school enrollment in 2009 was 1,787,351 pupils.

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 88 superintendents of small districts, 42% of the respondents stated that they thought consolidation would save money without closing any schools.

Wellness policy

Bermudian Springs School Board established a district wellness policy in 2006 – Policy 246. 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 (P.L. 108 – 265). The law dictates that each school district participating in a program authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq) "shall establish a local school wellness policy by School Year 2006."

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 and physical education that are aligned with the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Health, Safety and Physical Education, 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.

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports. The school board sets policies regarding eligibility to participate in these activities. The district does not charge an activity fee in 2011–12.

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 home schooled, 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.

Bermudian Springs is known around the Pennsylvania commonwealth for a rich wrestling heritage. They hold the PA state record of most individuals wrestlers in one season to qualify the PIAA championships, with nine wrestlers qualifying in 2004. That same year marked their first trip to the PIAA Team Championships. This was the 2nd of four visits to the PIAA Team Championships. During a the span of 2005–2008, the wrestling program went undefeated in league matches, winning three consecutive YAIAA Division two titles. The 2007–2008 team finished as Runner-ups in the PIAA State Team Tournament, losing to Burrell High School of District 7 in the finals.

A notable individual standout athlete was three time PIAA State Swimming Champion (2001–2003) Kristin Brown. She continued to swim at the University of Pittsburgh.

Competing in the PIAA AA classification, the Varsity baseball team won the school district's first team PIAA State Championship in 2010 by beating Central High School of Martinsburg by a score of 5–3. They were the District 3 Champions after beating Delone Catholic by a score of 15–4. The championship team was led by coach Bob Bonner. They have won the YAIAA Division 3 title in 1994,2008,2009,2010 and 2011.

The middle school also is home to a championship music program.

Intermediate Unit

The district is part of the Lincoln Intermediate Unit (IU#12) region. The agency offers school districts, home schooled students and private schools many services including Summer Academy which offers both art and academic strands that are designed to meet the individual needs of gifted, talented and high achieving students. Additional services include: Curriculum Mapping, Professional Development for school employees, Adult Education, Nonpublic School Services, Business Services, Migrant & ESL (English as a Second Language), Instructional Services, Special Education, Management Services, and Technology Services.

References:

External links

• Bermudian Springs School District