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South Fayette Township School District

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Coordinates: 40°22′48″N 80°10′21″W / 40.37991°N 80.17237°W / 40.37991; -80.17237
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South Fayette Township School District
Address
Map
3680 Old Oakdale Road

McDonald
,
Allegheny County
,
Pennsylvania

United States
Information
TypePublic
Motto"Tradition, Pride, and Excellence"
School board9 locally elected members
SuperintendentKenneth F. Lockette, Ph.D.
Staff231 staff members
Faculty188 (2014-2015) [1]
109 (2010)[2]
GradesK-12
Age5 years old to 21 years old special education
Number of pupils3,264 (2017-2018)
Color(s)Kelly Green and White
   
Team nameLions
Budget$68.5 million (2015-16)

$41.43 million (2013-14)[3]
$37.5 million (2012-13)[4]
$32,906,175.81 (2010-11)[5]
$32,206,517 (2009-10)[6]
$29,283,609 (2008-09)

$28,836,579 (2007-08)
Per pupil Spending$13,140 (2008)
Per pupil Spending$12,673.58 (2010)
Websitehttp://www.southfayette.org

The South Fayette Township School District is a suburban, public school district serving the Pittsburgh suburb of South Fayette Township, Pennsylvania. The district encompasses approximately 21 square miles (54 km2). In 2010, the district's population was 14,416 people.[7] In 2009, the district residents’ per capita income was $26,082, while the median family income was $65,473.[8] In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 [9] and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010.[10]

According to District officials, in school year 2009-10 the South Fayette Township School District provided basic educational services to 2,380 pupils. The District employed: 165 teachers, 166 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 11 administrators. South Fayette Township School District received more than $6.5 million in state funding in school year 2009-10.[11]

South Fayette Township School District operates four schools: South Fayette High School (9th-12th), South Fayette Middle School (6th-8th), South Fayette Intermediate School (3rd-5th) and South Fayette Elementary School (K-2nd). The Intermediate School was put into use in time for the 2013-14 school year.

Governance

South Fayette Township School District is governed by 9 individually elected board members (serves without compensation for a term of four years), the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.[12] 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 each public school 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 Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives Sunshine Review gave the South Fayette Township School Board and District Administration a "C-" 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.[13]

Academic achievement

South Fayette Township School District was ranked 7th among Pennsylvania school districts by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2014[14] The ranking was based on student academic achievement as demonstrated on the last three years of the PSSAs for: reading, writing, math and science.[15] 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.

  • 2014 - 7th [16]
  • 2013 - 8th
  • 2012 - 10th
  • 2011 - 12th [17]
  • 2008 - 15th [18]
  • 2007 - 15th out of 501 school districts.[19]
Overachiever statewide ranking

In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times also reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. South Fayette Township School District ranked 44th. In 2012, the district was 50th. [20] 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."[21]

In 2009 the 8th grade was ranked 6th out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, math writing and one year of science.[22] (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County)

District AYP status history

In 2011 and 2012, South Fayette Township School District achieved AYP status.[23] 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 (AYP) 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.[24] South Fayette Township School District achieved AYP status each year from 2003 to 2010.[25]

South Fayette Ranking Among Western Pennsylvania School Districts

South Fayette Township High School ranking among high schools in Pittsburgh region ranked by SAT score

Combined SAT scores
Year Combined Ranking
2015[34] 1705 5th
2014[35] 1717 6th
2013[36] 1612 9th
2012[37] 1589 11th

Graduation rate

In 2012, South Fayette Township School District’s graduation rate was 89.5%.[38] In 2011, the graduation rate was 88.5%.[39] In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. South Fayette Township High School's rate was 85% for 2010.[40]

According to traditional graduation rate calculations

Statewide High School PSSA Rankings

The following statewide rankings (out of 676 public school districts) are based solely on the PSSA results of the high school's junior class:[45]

  • 2017- 31st of 659
  • 2016- 69th
  • 2015- 21st
  • 2014- 19th
  • 2013- 16th
  • 2012- 37th

Enrollment

School Year K5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total
2004-2005[46] 145 173 140 171 166 132 152 140 162 138 172 119 119 1929
2005-2006[47] 150 152 176 145 174 165 135 154 145 168 140 162 116 1982
2006-2007[48] 174 163 156 183 153 178 168 148 160 154 175 131 162 2105
2007-2008[49] 181 186 165 163 180 156 177 173 139 170 143 165 126 2124
2008-2009[50] 180 187 194 167 174 190 167 193 177 160 174 146 170 2279
2009-2010[51] 222 199 189 198 180 183 195 163 195 191 159 163 143 2380
2010-2011[52] 207 231 205 200 201 179 192 205 159 202 186 153 166 2486
2011-2012[53] 224 209 241 214 201 202 186 195 201 159 199 172 145 2548
2012-2013[54] 230 243 213 246 225 205 207 188 197 216 158 193 167 2713
2013-2014[55] 201 246 253 225 248 232 209 214 198 205 216 153 192 2793
2014-2015[56] 208 226 261 254 235 257 240 206 214 209 202 209 156 2877

Extracurriculars

The District offers a variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania interscholastic Athletics Association (PIAA).

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing 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.[57]

Band

South Fayette High School has been home to the “Little Green Machine” Marching Band for over 60 years. Content is created entirely by the band's members; the graduating class assumes responsibility of choreography while the director arranges the music. Much of what the band practices today has been passed down through generations of South Fayette students and directors, including its three-part audition process and “rookie” spot rotation. Another key element of the Little Green Machine tradition requires all majorettes to successfully complete one full year as an instrumentalist in the band before auditioning to become a majorette. In addition to numerous performances at Pittsburgh Steelers games, the band has performed in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Walt Disney World “Magic Music Days” Parade and many other high visibility venues across the East Coast. In 1994, the band was profiled in a Fox Sports Profile. In 2010, it was awarded the County Executive's Award and deemed the best marching band in the county.

Clubs

Clubs/Activities in the Middle School include the student-run Newspaper, Student Council, National Junior Art Honor Society, the Spring Musical, Lion Hearts Club, Yearbook Staff, Media Club, Green Team, Drama Club, 5th/6th and 7th/8th Grade Chorus, 5th Grade and 6th Grade (separate) band and 7th/8th grade band, 7th/8th grade Jazz Ensemble, Spanish, German, and French Club, Friends of Rachel Club, MathCounts, and TSA.

Club/Activities in the High School include French Club, German Club, Spanish Club, Health Careers Club, Library Club, Teen Institute, Circle of Friends, Art Club, National Honor Society, Technology Student Association, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Student Government, Prom Committee, Science Club, Homecoming Committee, Ski Club, Student Newspaper, Powder Puff Team, Yearbook Staff, Forensic Science Club, Media Team, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), Band (Concert, Jazz, & Marching), Chorus (Concert & Show Choir), Drama Club, Spring Musical, Fall Drama Production, Stage Crew, Quiz Bowl Team, and Model United Nations.

Athletics

The following sports are offered to students in grades 9-12:

Fall Season: Varsity and Junior Varsity Football, Varsity and Junior Varsity Cross-Country, Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer, Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer, Varsity Golf, Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball, Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Tennis, Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleading

Winter Season: Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball, Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Basketball, Boys/Girls Varsity Swimming, Varsity and Junior Varsity Wrestling, Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleading, Hockey, Track (Indoor)

Spring Season: Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity Baseball, Girls Varsity & Junior Varsity Softball, Boys Tennis, Varsity and Junior Varsity Track, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse

In February 2010, the Boys Basketball Team won the PIAA State Championship in State College, Pennsylvania.

In November 2010, 2013, and 2014 the Football team won the WPIAL championship

In December 2013 and 2014, the Football team won the PIAA State Championship in Hershey, Pennsylvania, for the third and Fourth in the history of the school.

Tyler Goad was an all-state running back for the team during their run to multiple state and WPIAL championships

State Champions: Nick Carr - Wrestling 145 lbs. Nicole Hilton -Track and Field 3200 meters

WPIAL Champions: Girls 200 yard Freestyle Relay 2012, Boys 2013 Cross Country, Corey Long - Golf 2013, Stephen Zombek - 1m Diving 2013 & 2014, Girls Track and Field 2013 & 2014, Mike Carr - Wrestling 2014, 2015, & 2016, Rachel Helbling - Track and Field (400 Meter) 2015, Boys Soccer 2015, Girls Basketball 2016, Trevor Mahoney - 1m Diving 2016 & 2017

Controversies

In April 2014, it was reported that Christian Stanfield, a sophomore at South Fayette High, was brought up on charges of disorderly conduct after he recorded several people bullying him. When he reported it to school officials, they forced him to delete the video and called police to report that Stanfield may have violated the state's wiretapping law; Pennsylvania law requires all parties to consent to being recorded. The police opted to charge him with disorderly conduct, a charge that was upheld by a judge. However, the charges were later dropped by the Allegheny County District Attorney.[58]

Former wrestling head coach Michael Ladick was fired in 2011 after 3 season as coach due to increasing demand from parents.[59]

In 2017, former South Fayette High School assistant football coach Patrick Onesko was found guilty after soliciting two students of South Fayette through Snapchat. Patrick had been working at California University of Pennsylvania when the messaging began. Patrick told the boys that he was a 15-year-old girl from Bethel Park. He used the screen name ALAINABP5. The messages between the boys and Patrick included Patrick asking about the boys genitals and the boys calling Patrick a pedophile. The jurors found that Mr. Onesko was guilty of all counts against him: solicitation, unlawful contact with a minor and two counts of corruption of minors.[60]

In May 2019, a 15-year-old student was suspended from South Fayette High School for retaliating against a white classmate who repeatedly called him a racial slur at lunch. [61]

In March 2021, teacher Donald Sekelik was suspended after his 10th-grade World Cultures class was told to imagine themselves as retired captains in the British navy and asked, “Is the slave trade profitable?”. According to the assignment, students needed to determine if, economically, they would profit more with a large "pack" of Africans who had lower odds of surviving the trip to America, or a smaller one with a better chance at survival. [62] [63]

References

  1. ^ Pittsburgh Post Gazette (September 4, 2014). "West students head back to class: Carlynton, Cornell, South Fayette, and Sto-Rox".
  2. ^ National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data - South Fayette Township School District, 2012
  3. ^ Pittsburgh Post Gazette, South Fayette school board approves budget, June 26, 2013
  4. ^ Pittsburgh PostGazette, Budget would raise taxes again in South Fayette, May 31, 2012
  5. ^ South Faytette Township School District Administration, 2010-11 School Budget Presentation, May 2010
  6. ^ South Faytette Township School District Administration, 2010-11 School Budget Presentation, April 2010
  7. ^ US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Poverty Data by Local Educational Agency, 2011
  8. ^ US Census Bureau, American Fact Finder, 2009
  9. ^ US Census Bureau (2010). "American Fact Finder, State and County quick facts".
  10. ^ US Census Bureau (September 2011). "Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010" (PDF).
  11. ^ Pennsylvania Auditor General Office, South Fayette Township School District report, 2013
  12. ^ Pennsylvania Public School Code Governance 2010
  13. ^ The Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. "The Pennsylvania Project". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2013. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times (April 11, 2014). "Top 50 school districts in Pennsylvania". {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  15. ^ "Statewide Honor Roll Rankings 2013". Pittsburgh Business Times. April 5, 2013.
  16. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/slideshow/2014/04/11/slideshow-top-50-school-districts-in-pennsylvania.html
  17. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2012/04/09/7-local-school-districts-in-pas-top-15.html
  18. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times, Pennsylvania School District Rankings 2008, May 15, 2008
  19. ^ "Three of top school districts in state hail from Allegheny County". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 23, 2007. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011.
  20. ^ Pittsburgh Business Times, Statewide Overachivers Ranking Information, April 4, 2013
  21. ^ "Overachiever statewide ranking". Pittsburgh Business Times. May 6, 2010.
  22. ^ The Rankings: Eighth grade, Pittsburgh Business Times, May 15th, 2009.
  23. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "South Fayette Township School District AYP Overview 2012".
  24. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Public School District AYP History, 2011
  25. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania District AYP History 2003-2010, 2011
  26. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/morning-edition/2016/04/south-fayette-holds-on-to-title-of-top-ranking.html
  27. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2015/04/10/south-fayette-unseats-mt-lebanon-as-top-ranking.html
  28. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/morning-edition/2014/04/mt-lebanon-unseats-upper-st-clair-as-regions-top.html
  29. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2013/04/05/honorrollrank2013.html
  30. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2012/04/09/7-local-school-districts-in-pas-top-15.html
  31. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2011/04/08/Upper-St-Clair-tops-school-list.html
  32. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-11. Retrieved 2014-08-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-11. Retrieved 2014-08-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2016/02/05/pittsburgh-area-school-districts-ranked-by-sat.html#g5
  35. ^ The Times-Tribune (February 3, 2015). "Top 50 high schools in Pittsburgh region ranked by SAT score".
  36. ^ "Region's top 50 high schools with highest SAT scores". February 3, 2015.
  37. ^ "Region's Top 50 high schools with highest SAT scores, updated". February 3, 2015.
  38. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (September 21, 2012). "South Fayette Township School District AYP Data Table 2012".
  39. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, South Fayette Township School District AYP Data Table 2011, September 29, 2011
  40. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education (March 15, 2011). "New 4-year Cohort Graduation Rate Calculation Now Being Implemented".
  41. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Education, South Fayette Township School District Academic Achievement Report Card Data table 2010, October 20, 2010
  42. ^ The Times-Tribune (June 27, 2010). "PA School District Statistical Snapshot Database 2008-09".
  43. ^ The Times-Tribune (June 25, 2009). "County School Districts Graduation Rates 2008".
  44. ^ Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (2008). "High School Graduation rate 2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-07.
  45. ^ EL. "Schooldigger.com". Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  46. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1434350/enrollment_public_school_withgender_2004-05_xls
  47. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1264766/enrollment_public_school_withgender_2005-06_xls
  48. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1264766/enrollment_public_school_withgender_2006-07_xls
  49. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1264766/enrollment_public_school_withgender_2007-08_xls
  50. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1264766/enrollment_public_school_withgender_2008-09_xls
  51. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1264766/enrollment_public_school_withgender_2009-10_xls
  52. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1264771/enrollment_public_school_withgender_2010-11_xls
  53. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1338092/enrollment_public_schools_2011-12_xlsx_%282%29
  54. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1338093/enrollment_public_schools_2012-13_xlsx
  55. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1416133/enrollment_public_schools_2013-14_xlsx
  56. ^ http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1497002/enrollment_public_schools_2014-15_xlsx
  57. ^ Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release (November 10, 2005). "Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities".
  58. ^ http://www.wtae.com/news/south-fayette-student-to-fight-wiretapping-charge-for-recording-bullying/25507510#!bGv3fn
  59. ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/hsother/2011/07/07/West-South-Xtra-South-Fayette-coach-cites-parental-influence-in-his-ouster/stories/201107070361
  60. ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2017/12/07/Online-solicitation-teen-boys-football-coach-Snapchat-Patrick-Onesko-California-University-South-Fayette/stories/201712070171
  61. ^ https://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2019/05/02/Lawyer-criticizes-son-s-school-district-after-classmate-s-alleged-racial-slur/stories/201905020138
  62. ^ https://nypost.com/2021/03/11/pa-teacher-suspended-over-unacceptable-assignment-on-slaves/
  63. ^ https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2021/03/10/South-Fayette-Township-School-District-teacher-suspended-assignment-about-slavery/stories/202103100184

40°22′48″N 80°10′21″W / 40.37991°N 80.17237°W / 40.37991; -80.17237

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