West Jefferson Hills School District

West Jefferson Hills School District
Address
835 Old Clairton Road Jefferson Hills, , Pennsylvania United States
Information
Type	Public School District
Superintendent	Dr. Michael Panza
Administrator	Director of Human Resources - Dr. Lindsay Pfister Director of Finance - Tracy Harris Supervisor of Special Education/Pupil Personnel - Elizabeth H. Wheat Director of Facilities - Ryan Snodgrass Technology Director - Suhail Baloch Athletic Director - William Cherpak Public Relations Consultant - Carrie Lekse
Principal	Christopher Sefcheck, HS
Principal	Daniel Como,, MS
Principal	Tina Mayer, GHES
Principal	Christopher Very, JES
Principal	Justin Liberatore, MES
Grades	K-12
Enrollment	2,863 pupils 2012, 2800 (2014–15)
• Kindergarten	222
• Grade 1	183
• Grade 2	229
• Grade 3	196
• Grade 4	225
• Grade 5	204
• Grade 6	229
• Grade 7	228
• Grade 8	229
• Grade 9	236
• Grade 10	210
• Grade 11	228
• Grade 12	244
Color(s)	Black and Gold
Athletics conference	WPIAL
Budget	$27.2 million 2015-16
Mascot	Jaguar
Phone	(412) 655-8450
Rival	West Mifflin
Website	West Jefferson Hills

West Jefferson Hills School District provides quality education for approximately 2,850 students and consists of three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Resolute in maintaining its exemplary reputation for excellence, the District is organized in a K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 plan offering full academic and athletic programs. The adaptable curriculum meets the needs of all of its students. Educational support programs with teams of trained personnel are available in each of the five District buildings to assist students who are experiencing learning or emotional difficulties. Partnerships with local school districts, post-secondary education institutions, organizations, corporations and neighboring businesses further enhance the educational opportunities offered to District students. The West Jefferson Hills School District ranks 17th out of the 105 school districts in the surrounding seven-county region based on three years of PSSA tests scores in math, reading, writing and science, and the District ranks 50th out of 500 statewide.

School Board

The West Jefferson School Board is constituted of volunteer members who serve four-year terms after being elected to office. The school board works to set policy and long range plans for the district. The current members of the board are Brian Fernandes (President), Suzanne Downer (1st Vice President), Dave Dominick (2nd Vice President), Jill Bertini, Carolyn Bourgeois, Kerri Gonot, John Hosmer, Anna Louise Lilley, and Darlene Schreiber. The school district solicitor is Ira Weiss.

Mission statement

Students are the primary focus of the West Jefferson Hills School District where, in partnership with families and community, the mission is to educate and prepare all students to become active, contributing members of society by providing a challenging, innovative educational program guided by an exceptional staff in a safe, positive, caring environment, all of which to promote.

Academic achievement

West Jefferson Hills School District was ranked 50st out of 500 Pennsylvania school districts for student academic achievement, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2014. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and science. The PSSAs are given to all children in grades 3rd through 8th and the 11th grade in high school. Adapted examinations are given to children in the special education programs.

• 2013 - 51st
• 2012 - 49th

Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 500 Pennsylvania school districts. West Jefferson Hills School District ranked 309th. In 2013, the District ranked 318th. In 2012, the District was ranked 299th. The editor describes the ranking as: "a ranking answers the question - which school districts do better than expectations based upon economics? This rank takes the Honor Roll rank and adds the percentage of students in the district eligible for free and reduced-price lunch into the formula. A district finishing high on this rank is smashing expectations, and any district above the median point is exceeding expectations."

Regional ranking

The West Jefferson Hills School District was ranked 17th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania School Districts in 2015, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and science. (includes 105 districts in: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Washington County and Westmoreland County excludes Duquesne City School District & Midland Borough School District due to no high schools)

• 2014 - 14th
• 2013 - 15th

Graduation rate

In 2012, West Jefferson Hills School District’s graduation rate was 96%. In 2011, the District's graduation rate was 93.6%.

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. West Jefferson Hills School District's rate was 93% for 2010.

According to traditional graduation rate calculations:

• 2010 – 98%
• 2009 – 98%
• 2008 – 97%
• 2007 – 97%

Thomas Jefferson High School

Thomas Jefferson High School

Thomas Jefferson High School is comprised of grades nine through twelve with a current enrollment of approximately 950 students. There are ninety-six full time faculty and staff working at the school to support a strong core academic focus with a variety of elective experiences.

The building and facilities have been updated through various renovations. The most recent project was the reconstruction of the stadium. This included the field and track area as well as the stands and press box. A field house was also added at this time.

Thomas Jefferson High School is well known for high academic standards and competitive athletic programs. Approximately seventy percent of graduating seniors go on to four-year college programs.

Pleasant Hills Middle School

Pleasant Hills Middle School is located at 404 National Drive, Pittsburgh. Pleasant Hills Middle School houses students in grades six through eight. Our total student population for the 2015-16 school year is 682. There are sixty six professional staff members. Pleasant Hills Middle School was constructed in 1965. An addition and complete renovation were undertaken during the 2003 school year adding additional classrooms and computer labs. PHMS has received the prestigious Keystone Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for four consecutive years.

Jefferson Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary currently has an enrollment of approximately 530 students in grades K-5 and implements a half day Kindergarten program. Each of our grade levels has four or five sections, with an average class size of 22 students. In addition to the core academic subject areas, our students attend art, music, physical education, and library on a weekly rotation. Additionally, students also will have the opportunity to participate in an instrumental band and choral program beginning in fourth grade. 

Our educational team remains committed to ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary 21st century learning skills that will allow them to function in today’s global society. Our school offers our educators and their students multiple classroom computers, several static computer labs, multiple mobile laptop and iPad carts, an interactive Kindle cart, multiple document and GoPro cameras, and interactive white boards throughout all classrooms. Additionally, our students, staff, and faculty have access to a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) lab.  This dedicated space offers our team a state of the art, innovative, and technologically rich learning environment that provides meaningful and applicable technological resources for our students. Our focused vision of developing and sustaining 21st century learning skills and numerous technological resources allow our educators to supplement and enrich the curriculum in a meaningful and engaging manner, consistent with student interest and familiarity.

Gifted Support, Learning Support, Speech and Language, Title I Reading, Social Development, and access to multiple paraprofessionals are also offered for students who may be in need of additional supports. The West Jefferson Hills School District also contracts with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) to provide additional services (Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), English as a Second Language (ESL), Vision Therapy, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support) in order to meet the needs of each and every student that we are fortunate to have in our district. 

Gill Hall Elementary

Gill Hall Elementary School is located at 829 Gill Hall Road, Jefferson Hills.Gill Hall currently has 285 students enrolled in K-5. There are two classrooms of each level with class sizes ranging from 20-26. There are 11 regular classroom teachers, as well as part or full time music, art, physical education, library, gifted, remedial reading, and learning support teachers. Gill Hall School was originally built in 1955 with only 8 classrooms, grades 1-4. The school was expanded in 1962, 1992, and 2002.

McClellan Elementary School

Currently, McClellan school population is approximately 433 students, with a professional staff of 38 educators which includes 18 classroom teachers, 2 special education teachers, 2 tutorial reading teachers, 3 para-professionals, 3 PCAs, and 1 physical education teacher. The librarian, art teacher, music teacher, an additional PE teacher, 2 instrumental lessons teachers, gifted teacher, social worker and speech therapist are shared with the other schools.

The teaching, administrative and support staff at McClellan Elementary take great pride in the accomplishments of the students who attend McClellan. This is evident in the strong academic performance on both State and local assessments, the strong sense of accomplishment in community effort and the overwhelming sense of "family" exhibited throughout the daily interactions of the students. 

McClellan Elementary School was opened for occupancy January 3, 1956. At that time there were 165 students, enrolled in grades 1 to 6 with a teaching staff of 5 teachers . Special features of the school included: "a kitchen, all purpose room, sinks, water fountains, acoustical ceilings, automatic emergency lighting, automatic combination gas-oil fired boilers, tile walls, terrazzo floors, green chalkboards, fluorescent lighting and modern safeguards against the danger of fire and panic." McClellan was built on a plot of land that was approximately nine acres. The school was constructed to permit additional rooms to be built when necessary. In 1958, an annex was added to McClellan to accommodate the growing school population. The school population continued to grow and in 1968 the school population reached 660 students. Thus, a second renovation was completed in 1981-1982 and a third renovation was completed 2002.  We now have a full-sized gymnasium, and all classrooms are updated with the latest technologies including interactive white boards and Chromebooks.  We also have technology that can travel from room to room on carts; including iPads, Kindles, and laptops.

McClellan Elementary School has a very active PTA, which was started in 1957. Monies raised from PTA dues go directly to provide educational activities for the children in the school. Some of these activities include monthly assemblies and special activities.  The PTA has also partnered with the Aviary to be one of the first schools in the area to be a host site for their Neighborhood Nestwatch program.

Special education

In December 2012, West Jefferson Hills School District administration reported that 264 pupils or 9% of the district's pupils received Special Education services, with 46% of identified students having a specific learning disability. In December 2009, the District administration reported that 306 pupils or 10.5% of the district's pupils received Special Education services.

In order to comply with state and federal laws, 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 Supervisor of Special Education. Beginning in July 2011, the board has elected to operate learning support, speech/language services, and social work services as school district programs. These services had been provided by the local intermediate unit.

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. In 2012, the Obama Administration's US Department of Education issued a directive that schools include students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, including sports.

West Jefferson Hills School District received a $1,686,531 supplement for special education services in 2010. For the 2011-12 and 2012-13 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. Additionally, the state provides supplemental funding for extraordinarily impacted students. The District must apply for this added funding.

Gifted education

West Jefferson Hills School District Administration reported that 202 or 7% of its students were gifted in 2009. The highest percentage of gifted students reported among all 500 school districts and 100 public charter schools in Pennsylvania was at North Allegheny School District with 15.5% of its students identified as being gifted. By law, the district must provide mentally gifted programs at all grade levels. 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

In 2009, the administrative reported there was one incident of bullying in the district. The district reported 37 safety related incidents to the state.

The West Jefferson Hills School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. The policy defines bullying and cyberbullying. The Board directs that complaints of bullying shall be investigated promptly, and corrective action shall be taken when allegations are verified. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reports of bullying. The board expects staff members to be responsible to maintain an educational environment free from all forms of bullying. 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.

Enrollment and Consolidation

In 2011, the school district officials received a letter from Clairton City School District asking to discuss a merger. The letter was also sent to three other districts: Elizabeth Forward School District, South Allegheny School District and West Mifflin Area School District. The proposal was rebuffed by all four school districts.

In 2009, a proposal was made by a local advocate, David Wassel, to consolidate Allegheny County school districts to save tax dollars and improve student services. The proposal was that Clairton City School District and South Park School District join with West Jefferson Hills School District. The merger would eliminate redundant administration positions. A report issued by the Pennsylvania Budget and Finance Committee on the cost-effectiveness of consolidating Pennsylvania school districts found districts with 2,500 to 3,000 students to be the most cost-effective, spending an average of $8,057 per student annually. According to a proposal made in 2009 by Governor Edward G Rendell, the excessive administrative overhead dollars could be redirected to improve lagging academic achievement, to enrich the academic programs or to substantially reduce property taxes. Consolidation of two central administrations into one would not require the closing of any schools.

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 school buildings. The study noted that while the best school districts spent 4% of the annual budget on administration, others spend over 15% on administration.

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). 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 2011, the average teacher salary in West Jefferson Hills School District was $54,493 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $17,157 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $71,651. According to a study conducted at the American Enterprise Institute, in 2011, public school teachers’ total compensation is roughly 50 percent higher than they would likely receive in the private sector. The study found that the most generous benefits that teachers receive are not accounted for in many studies of compensation, including: pension, retiree health benefits and job security.

In 2009, West Jefferson Hills School District employed 188 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $61,541. The beginning salary was $38,500, while the highest salary was $120,000. Teachers work an 8-hour day with one planning period included. The district provides 4 IEP days for working on plans for special education and gifted students. Additionally, the teachers received a defined benefit pension, health insurance, professional development reimbursement, 3 paid personal days, 10 paid sick days which accumulate, 6 paid bereavement leave days and many other benefits. According to Rep. Glen Grell, a trustee of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees, a 40-year educator can retire with a pension equal to 100 percent of their final salary.

In 2007, the West Jefferson Hills School District employed 255 teachers. The average teacher salary in the district was $60,672 for 190 days worked with 182 student days. The average teacher salary in Pennsylvania was $54,977. 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.

Per pupil spending In 2008, per pupil spending at West Jefferson Hills School District was ranked 303rd in the state, at $11,452 for each child. In 2010 the per pupil spending had increased to $12,305.46 Among the states, Pennsylvania’s total per pupil revenue (including all sources) ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Pennsylvania spent $8,191 per pupil in school year 2000-01.

West Jefferson Hills School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $690 per pupil. This ranked 330th in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The lowest administrative cost per pupil in Pennsylvania was $398 per pupil. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association keeps statistics on salaries of public school district employees in Pennsylvania. According to the association, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007–08 school year was $122,165. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.

Reserves In 2008, the West Jefferson Hills School District reported an unreserved designated fund balance of zero and an unreserved-undesignated fund balance of $2,476,193.00. In 2012, West Jefferson Hills School District Administration reported an increase to $16,514,360 in its unreserved-designated fund. Additionally, the District had $2.5 million in its unassigned general fund. 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. By law the state limits the total unreserved-undesignated fund balance at 8% of the annual budget for school districts that have budgets over $19 million a year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, from 2003 to 2010, as a whole, Pennsylvania school districts amassed nearly $3 billion in reserved funds.

Audit In October 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit on the district. Several findings were reported to the school board and administration.

Tuition Students who live in the West Jeffereson Hills School 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 West Jeffereson Hills 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 West Jeffereson Hills School District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $8,824.44, High School - $8,701.63.

For the 2011–12 school year, West Jefferson Hills School District was one of three Allegheny County public school districts that balanced their budget without a tax increase and without furloughing employees.

West Jefferson Hills School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1%, 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. Interest earnings on accounts also provide nontax income to the District. 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 level of the individual’s personal wealth. The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive federal Social Security benefits: both are free of Pennsylvania state income tax and local income tax which funds local public schools.

State basic education funding

For the 2012-13 school year, West Jefferson Hills School District received $5,260,573. 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 (ABG) program. West Jefferson Hills School District received $105,529 in ABG 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 (0.34%) 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, West Jefferson Hills School District received $5,155,044 in state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the District received $105,528 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 (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 of Allegheny County, which got a 49% increase in state funding for 2011-12.

For the 2010–11 budget year the West Jefferson Hills School District received a 3.08% increase in state basic education funding for a total of $5,631,451. In Allegheny County, the highest increase went to South Fayette Township School District which received an 11.32% increase in state funding. One hundred fifty (150) public school districts in Pennsylvania received a 2% base increase for budget year 2010–11. The highest increase in the state was given to Kennett Consolidated School District of Chester County which was given a 23.65% increase in state funding. The state's hold harmless policy regarding state basic education funding continued where each district received at least the same amount as it received the prior school year, even when enrollment had significantly declined. The amount of increase each school district received was set by Governor Edward Rendell and then Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak, as a part of the state budget proposal given each February. This was the second year of Governor Rendell’s policy to fund some public school districts at a far greater rate than others.

In the 2009–2010 budget year the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a 5.98% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $5,463,295 to the West Jefferson Hills School District. Four (4) Allegheny County public school districts received increases of over 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009–10. Chartiers Valley School District received an 8.17% increase. The majority of Allegheny County districts received the base 2% increase. In Pennsylvania, over 15 school districts received Basic Education Funding increases in excess of 10% in 2009. Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. The amount of increase each school district receives is determined by then Governor Edward G. Rendell and the Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak through the allocation set in the state budget proposal made in February each year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania spent $7,824 Per Pupil in the year 2000. This amount increased up to $12,085 by the year 2008.

The state's Basic Education Funding to the West Jefferson Hills School District in 2008–09 was $5,155,044.29. In 2008, the District reported that 302 students received a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to their family income meeting the federal poverty levels.

Accountability Block Grant

The state provides supplemental funding in the form of accountability block grants. The use of these funds is strictly focused on specific state approved uses. West Jefferson Hills School District uses its $286,431 to fund research based instruction and increased instructional time. These annual funds are in addition to the state's basic education funding. Schools Districts apply each year for Accountability Block Grants. In 2009–10 the state provided $271.4 million in Accountability Block grants $199.5 million to West Jefferson Hills School District which went to providing all-day kindergartens.

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), along with other specialized equipment and provided funding for teacher training to optimize the use of the computers. The program was funded from 2006–2009. West Jefferson Hills School District did not apply for funding in 2006–07. In 2007–08, West Jefferson Hills School District was denied funding by the Department of Education. The District was awarded $121,141 in the 2008–09 fiscal year. In Allegheny County the highest award was given to Highlands School District at $835,286. The highest funding statewide was awarded to Philadelphia City School District in Philadelphia County - $9,409,073. The grant program was discontinued by Governor Edward Rendell as part of the 2009-10 state budget.

Other grants

West Jefferson Hills School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education annual grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants (discontinued effective with 2009-10 budget by Governor Rendell), Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the federal 21st Century Learning grants.

Federal Stimulus grant

West Jefferson Hills School District received an extra $1,405,406 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 to the 2009-10 and 2010-2011 school years. Due to the temporary nature of the funding, schools were repeatedly advised 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

School district officials did not apply for the Race to the Top federal grant which would have brought the district hundreds of thousands in 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, just 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.

STEAM grant

In 2013, West Jefferson Hills School District received a $20,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum and Grable foundations. The STEAM funds are to be used to support science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics programs. The curriculum is to involve students in kindergarten through fifth grade. West Jefferson Hills will use the funds to establish a Digital Communication Station. School administrations were required to apply for the grants. Recipients include 24 schools located in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Greene County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Washington County and Westmoreland County.

Common Cents state initiative

The school board elected 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

The West Jefferson Hills School Board set property tax rates in 2013–14 at 21.0800 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. A 2012 property reassessment in Allegheny County, which is under appeals, may reduce the 2013-14 millage to 17.84 mills.

• 2012-13 - 21.0800 mills
• 2011-12 - 21.0800 mills
• 2010–11 – 21.0800 mills
• 2009–10 – 21.0800 mills
• 2008–09 – 21.0800 mills.
• 2007–08 – 19.9900 mills.
• 2006-07 - 19.9900 mills.
• 2005-06 - 19.9900 mills.

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

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 2010–2011 school year is 2.9 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 (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. In June 2011, the Pennsylvania General Assembly eliminated six exceptions to the Act 1 Index. Several exceptions were maintained: 1) costs to pay interest and principal on indebtedness incurred prior to September 4, 2004 for Act 72 schools and prior to June 27, 2006 for non-Act 72 schools; 2) costs to pay interest and principal on electoral debt; 3) costs incurred in providing special education programs and services (beyond what is already paid by the State); and 4) costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school’s share of payments to PSERS (PA school employees pension fund) taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.

The School District Adjusted Index for the West Jefferson Hills School District 2006–2007 through 2011–2012.

• 2006–07 – 4.8%, Base 3.9%
• 2007–08 – 4.2%, Base 3.4%
• 2008–09 – 5.5%, Base 4.4%
• 2009–10 – 5.2%, Base 4.1%
• 2010–11 – 3.7%, Base 2.9%

• 2011–12 – 1.8%, Base 1.4%
• 2012-13 - 2.2%, Base 1.7%
• 2013-14 - 2.2%, Base 1.7%

For the 2013-14 budget year, West Jefferson Hills School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2013-2014, 311 Pennsylvania public school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 171 school districts adopted a preliminary budget leaving open the option of exceeded the Index limit. For the exception for pension costs, 89 school districts received approval to exceed the Index in full while others received a partial approval of their request. For special education costs, 75 districts received approval to exceed the tax limit. For the exception for pension costs, 169 school districts received approval to exceed the Index. Eleven districts received an approval for grandfathered construction debts.

For the 2012-13 budget year, West Jefferson Hills School Board did not apply for exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. For 2012-2013, 274 school districts adopted a resolution certifying that tax rates would not be increased above their index; 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 the West Jefferson Hills School Board did not apply for any exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, the West Jefferson Hills 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.

For the 2010–11 school year budget, the West Jefferson Hills School Board did not apply exceptions to exceed the Act 1 Index. 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 2010, West Jefferson Hills School District property tax relief was set at $197 for 5,636 approved properties. In 2009, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the West Jefferson Hills School District was $201 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 1,700 property owners applied for the tax relief. 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 Allegheny County, 60% 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.

Extracurriculars

West Jefferson Hills School District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility to participate is determined through school board policies.

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

West Jefferson School board authorized spending $698,000 for replacement of the stadium's turf and track.

The District funds:

Boys

• Baseball - AAA
• Basketball- AAA
• Cross Country - AA
• Football - AAA
• Golf - AAA
• Indoor Track and Field - AAAA
• Soccer - AA
• Swimming and Diving - AA
• Tennis - AA
• Track and Field - AAA
• Volleyball - AA
• Wrestling - AAA

Girls

• Basketball - AAA
• Cross Country - AA
• Indoor Track and Field - AAAA
• Soccer (Fall) - AA
• Softball - AAA
• Swimming and Diving - AA
• Girls' Tennis - AA
• Track and Field - AAA
• Volleyball - AA

Middle School Sports

Boys

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Swimming and Diving
• Track and Field
• Wrestling

Girls

• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Swimming and Diving
• Volleyball

According to PIAA directory July 2012

Thomas Jefferson has a long history of sports excellence. Most recently the Thomas Jefferson Football team has won the state title in 2004, 2007, and 2008. Additionally, the Jaguars won the PIAA boys soccer championship in 2002.

On the WPIAL level Thomas Jefferson has also achieved significant success. These WPIAL team championships include:

Thomas Jefferson High School WPIAL Championship Teams

Sport	Class		Year(s)
Football	AAA		1980, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
Boys Soccer	AA		2001, 2002, 2004
Girls Track	AA		1987, 1988, 1991
Boys Track	AA		1991
Girls Volleyball	AA		2001

External links

• West Jefferson Hills School District
• Thomas Jefferson Football
• Thomas Jefferson High School Marching Band
• Thomas Jefferson High School Digital Library
• Jefferson Hills Website
• West Elizabeth Website
• Pleasant Hills Website
• Thomas Jefferson Band Patrons Website
• Hills School District Website
• HS Football Website