PSSA Test Scores Fumble the Ball

The school district sent a letter home to the parents claiming "Good News" for PSSA test results.
This proclamation needs a close look.
The PSSA tests students in Math and Reading proficiency. The grade classifications are Advanced, Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic. The scores are expressed as a percentage of students taking the test.
For example, if there are 100 students taking the test, 25 graded Advanced, 25 graded Proficient, 25 graded Basic, and 25 graded Below Basic, then each represents a percentage of students tested. Therefore, 25% were Advanced, 25% were Proficient, 25% Basic, and 25% Below Basic.
Each year the district must improve the test results in the Adequate Yearly Progress report. If the district fails to meet AYP standards, parents have the right to remove their child from the school and the district faces oversight from the state.
By 2014 all students must reach Proficiency.

Year 2002
5th Grade: Below Proficient
Math: 42.1 %
Reading: 26.2%
8th Grade: Below Proficient
Math: 33.2 %
Reading: 29.2%
11th Grade: Below Proficient
Math: 44%
Reading: 33.2%
Year 2006
5th Grade: Below Proficient
Math: 32.3% Below Proficient
Reading: 33.6% Below Proficient
8th Grade: Below Proficient
Math: 36.2%
Reading: 18.3%
11th Grade: Below Proficient
Math: 51.3%
Reading: 26.9%
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Comparing the years 2002 to 2006, either the Math or the Reading scores are scoring lower in 2006 than they were in 2002.
The 2002 and 2006 11th grade results are very troubling. The district is sending students into the world unprepared to compete for jobs and a higher education.
As this rate, the district needs to make drastic changes to meet the state educational compliance by 2014.
In the same years, the taxpayers spent a total $81,291,356.80 for Oley Valley School District education.

Total Expenditures:
2002 - $17,516,145,96
2003 - $19,821,377.44
2004 - $20,893,683.20
2005- $23,066,150.00
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Millions have been spent on improving education, yet independant test scores are not
reflecting the investment.
This performance is not "Good News". The school board and the superintendent are responsible for these poor results.
In the private sector, they would be replaced.

The Medical Pool Fund

The Oley Valley School board recently approved one of the most expensive teacher contracts in Berks County. The package was so attractive that the Wilson School District teachers union used it as a model for their contract negotiations.
Besides the exorbitant pay and benefits given to the union is a below the radar, Medical Pool Fund.
This fund can be described as secretive because is not listed in the yearly budget presented to the public. It is not even shown on the Form 2028 sent to the state.
It can only be found by a through review of district contracts.
This fund is designed to ..reimburse the bargaining unit member for medical expenses for items such as (including but not limited to) prescriptions, eye care office visits, orthodontics, etc., not otherwise paid or reimbursed by insurance. The phase, including but not limited to could lend itself to non-medically related expenses.
In other words, the fund will pay for what the health insurance does not cover up to the yearly rate of reimbursement.
The teacher submits their expenses to the business manager and the money is then drawn from the Medical Pool Fund.
The yearly reimbursement amount per teacher schedule depicted in the agreement is the following:
2005-06: $300
2006-07: $350
2007-08: $400
2008-09: $450
2009-10: $500
If you multiply the number of full time teachers in the district times their rate of reimbursement, the potential expense is enormous.
The Medical Pool Fund is also available to the Superintendent. His yearly schedule is:
Years 1 and 2 of contract - $400
Years 3 and 4 of contract - $500
Years 5 of contract - $600.
The Administrative Positions also have a Medical Pool Fund. The Administrative positions are the High School, the Middle School, the Elementary School Principles, the High School Assistant Principle, the Director of Special Education, the Director of Business and Support Services, and the Elementary School Assistant Principle.
They are reimbursed at a rate of $150 per year and it is cumulative during the length of their contract.
The board indicated at the August 16,2006 that the Medical Pool Fund is available to most of the district personnel.
The district already provides generous wage and benefits.
The Medical Pool Fund is nothing more than gouging the community whose wages and benefits alone pales in comparison to the district's package.
Neither the state nor the federal government mandated this fund. The school board approved this windfall.