York Suburban School District


York Suburban School District is a midsized, suburban, public school district located in York County, Pennsylvania.. It encompasses approximately. According to 2000 federal census data, it serves a resident population of 21,067 people. In 2010 the US Census Bureau reported a population of 21,684 people. In 2009, the District residents’ per capita income was $27,028, while the median family income was $59,192. In the Commonwealth, the median family income was $49,501 and the United States median family income was $49,445, in 2010. Per District officials, in school year 2007-08 the York Suburban School District provided basic educational services to 2,808 pupils through the employment of 222 teachers, 135 full-time and part-time support personnel, and 15 administrators. York Suburban School District received more than $5.3 million in state funding in school year 2007-08.
York Suburban School District operates six schools: Yorkshire Elementary School, Valley View Elementary School, East York Elementary School, Indian Rock Elementary School, York Suburban Middle School, and York Suburban Senior High School. Valley View and Yorkshire consist of grades K-2. Indian Rock Elementary and East York Elementary both consist of grades 3-5. York Suburban Middle School consists of grades 6-8. York Suburban Senior High School consists of grades 9-12. The district's colors are orange and black with the Trojan as the mascot. Like most other school districts, York Suburban uses the Schaffer paragraph for response to literature.

Governance

The school district is governed by 9 individually elected board members, 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 its 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 "D-" 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.

Academic achievement

York Suburban School District was ranked 40th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts in 2013, by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on the last three years of student academic achievement on the PSSA results in: reading, writing, math 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.
In 2009, the academic achievement of the students of York Suburban School District was in the 85th percentile among 500 Pennsylvania school districts. Scale -
In 2013, the Pittsburgh Business Times reported an Overachievers Ranking for 498 Pennsylvania school districts. York Suburban School District ranked 95th. In 2012, the District was 116th. The paper 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."
;District AYP status history:
In 2012, York Suburban School District achieved AYP status. In 2011, York Suburban School District achieved Adequate Yearly Progress. 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 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. York Suburban School District achieved AYP status each year from 2005 to 2010, while in 2003 and 2004 the District was in Warning status due to lagging student academic achievement.

Graduation rate

In 2012, York Suburban School District's graduation rate was 89%. In 2011, the District's graduation rate was 98%. In 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Education issued a new, 4-year cohort graduation rate. York Suburban Senior High School's rate was 90.87% for 2010.
;According to traditional graduation rate calculations:
York Suburban Senior High School is located at 1800 Hollywood Drive, York, Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school had 864 pupils enrolled in grades 9th through 12th, with 136 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 67 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1.
In 2012, York Suburban High School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging student achievement in reading and mathematics. In 2011 and 2010, York Suburban High School achieved AYP status.
;PSSA Results
;11th Grade Reading:
;11th Grade Math:
;11th Grade Science:
Science in Motion' York Suburban High School took advantage of a state program called Science in Motion which brought college professors and sophisticated science equipment to the school to raise science awareness and to provide inquiry-based experiences for the students. The Science in Motion program was funded by a state appropriation and cost the school nothing to participate. York Suburban High School worked with Gettysburg College to provide the experiences.

Graduation requirements

The York Suburban School Board has set that a minimum of 23.8 credits, including English 4 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Math 3 Credits, Science 3 credits, Arts/Humanities 3 credits, Physical Education 1 credit, Health.833 credit, and electives 9 credits. Students are also required to complete a safety course.
Additionally, students must successfully complete the requirements of the Graduation Project which is the cumulative research process demonstrated by the submission of an acceptable English III research project. 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.
By Pennsylvania School Board regulations, for the graduating class of 2017, students must demonstrate successful completion of secondary level course work in Algebra I, Biology, English Composition, and Literature for which the Keystone Exams. In 2011, Pennsylvania high school students field tested the Algebra 1, Biology and English Lit exams. The statewide results were: Algebra 1 38% on grade level, Biology 35% on grade level and English Lit - 49% on grade level. Individual student, school or district reports were not made public, although they were reported to district officials by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

College remediation

According to a Pennsylvania Department of Education study released in January 2009, 31% of York Suburban School District 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 state's dual enrollment program. York Suburban High School is the only York County high school that does not offer the program. Dual Enrollment permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school, including the graduation ceremony. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books. Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.

SAT scores

From January to June 2011, students took the SAT exams. The district's Verbal Average Score was 512. The Math average score was 540. The Writing average score was 502. Pennsylvania ranked 40th among states with SAT scores: Verbal - 493, Math - 501, Writing - 479. In the United States 1.65 million students took the exam in 2011. They averaged 497 verbal, 514 math and 489 in writing.

Learning Center

The Learning Center provides academic tutoring in a productive working environment for York Suburban students. The center is open to all students before and after school, as well as, during their study hall periods.

York Suburban Middle School

York Suburban Middle School is located at 455 Sundale Drive, York, in the East York section of the school district. The school had 700 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 159 students receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty.
The school reports employing 52 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1. The teaching staff of YSMS includes: 49 subject area teachers, five learning support paraprofessionals, four learning support teachers, a reading specialist, a math specialist, and a teacher of the gifted. The teachers are organized in seven teams that meet daily to plan: interdisciplinary, departmental and team activities and to review and monitor student progress.
In 2010 and 2011, York Suburban Middle School achieved AYP status under the federal No Child Left Behind law.
;Eighth Grade Reading:
;Eighth Grade Math:
Eighth Grade Science:
;Seventh Grade Reading:
;Seventh Grade Math:
;Sixth Grade Reading:
;Sixth Grade Math:
East York Elementary School is located at 701 Erlen Drive, York, Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school had 497 pupils enrolled in grades 2nd through 5th, with 163 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 37 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 13:1. In 2010 and 2011, East York Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2011, 86% of the students in grades 3rd through 5th were reading on grade level. In Mathematics, 94% of students in grades 3rd - 5th were on grade level. In 4th grade science 94% were on grade level while 50% scored advanced on the PSSAs.
Indian Rock Elementary School is located at 1500 Indian Rock Dam Road, York, Pennsylvania. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school had 346 pupils enrolled in grades 2nd through 5th, with 32 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 24 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 14:1. In 2010 and 2011, Indian Rock Elementary School achieved AYP status. In 2011, 93% of the students in grades 3rd through 5th were reading on grade level. In Mathematics, 97% of students in grades 3rd - 5th were on grade level. In 4th grade science 98% were on grade level while 76% scored advanced on the PSSAs.
Valley View Center is located at 295 Mills Street, York. In 2010, the school had 465 pupils enrolled in grades kindergarten and first grades, with 89 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 28 teachers, yielding a student–teacher ratio of 16:1.

Policies

Strip search policy

In 2014 the district's board voted 8–1 to pass a policy which allows the district to perform strip searches of students. This was the first amendment of the district's policy on searching students since 1994. The rules state that an administrator of the same sex may perform the search if there is a suspicion of a student having an item that is a serious threat to the student body. Michele Merkle, the superintendent, stated "I cannot imagine a scenario that would get a search down to undergarments." The sole board member voting against the policy was Jennifer Clancy, who serves as the school director.

Bullying policy

In 2009, the administration reported there were zero incidents of bullying in the district.
The York Suburban School Board prohibits bullying by district students and faculty. The board policy 249 Bullying/Cyberbullying 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.

Special education

In December 2009, the district administration reported that 382 pupils or 13% 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. When a child experiences difficulty within the classroom, screening information will be gathered by the team located within the child's school to determine his or her specific needs. These screening activities include: review of group-based data ; 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 make a written request for a multidisciplinary evaluation to the building principal or the Director of Special Education.
In 2010, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided $1,026,815,000 for 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. The Pennsylvania Special Education funding system assumes that 16% of the district's students receive special education services. It also assumes that each student's needs accrue the same level of costs. The state requires each district to have a three-year special education plan to meet the unique needs of its special education students. Overidentification of students, in order to increase state funding, has been an issue in the Commonwealth. Some districts have more than 20% of its students receiving special education services while others have 10% supported through special education.
The School District received a $1,100,541 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 200 or 7.19% of its students were gifted in 2009. 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.

Budget

Pennsylvania public school districts budget and expend funds according to procedures mandated by the General Assembly and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 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 York Suburban School District was $76,513 a year, while the cost of the benefits teachers received was $20,075 per employee, for a total annual average teacher compensation of $96,589. For the 2011-12 school year, 80 York Suburban School District teachers were paid a salary of $86,775 for the contract year with some earning far more through supplements and other extra compensation. 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, York Suburban School District reported employing over 250 teachers with a salary range of $40,000 to $143,000. The average salary in the district is $76,000. In 2007, the average teacher salary was $66,519. This was the highest average teacher salary in York County school districts. Additionally, the district's teachers receive: a defined benefit pension, health insurance, life insurance, college credit reimbursement, 2 paid personal days, sick days, 4 paid bereavement days, a retirement incentive bonus and other benefits.
York Suburban School District administrative costs per pupil in 2008 was $840 per pupil. 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's report, the average salary for a superintendent for the 2007-08 school year was $122,165. In 2009, the superintendent's salary was $143,000. Superintendents and administrators receive a benefit package commensurate with that offered to the district's teachers' union.
Reserves In 2008, York Suburban School District reported a zero balance in an unreserved-undesignated fund. The designated fund balance was reported as $2,079,754. In 2010, York Suburban School District Administration reported an increase to $440,819 in the unreserved-undesignated fund balance. The designated fund balance was reported as zero. Pennsylvania 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.
York Suburban School District administration reported that per pupil spending in 2008 was $13,937 which ranked 107th in the state' 501 school districts. In 2010, the District's per pupil spending had increased to $15,000. Among the states, Pennsylvania's total per pupil revenue ranked 11th at $15,023 per student, in 2008-09. In 2007, the Pennsylvania per pupil total expenditures was $12,759.
Audit In March 2010, the Pennsylvania Auditor General conducted a performance audit of the district. The findings were reported to the administration and the school board.
Tuition Students who live in York Suburban 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 York Suburban 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 District's schools. The 2012 tuition rates are Elementary School - $11,991.53, High School - $12,288.05.
APA Study According to an extensive study of York County school districts conducted by APA Associates in 2008, York Suburban School District achieved a -3 rating based on Performance and Relative Efficiency. Central York School District and Northeastern York School District ranked +10. Eleven of 16 York County districts achieved a positive rating. The district has the highest starting teacher salary and the highest administration salary structure in York County.
York Suburban School District is funded by a combination of: a local earned income tax 1%, a property tax, a real estate transfer tax 0.5%, coupled with substantial funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government. 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 personal wealth. The average Pennsylvania public school teacher pension in 2011 exceeds $60,000 a year plus they receive 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, York Suburban School District received $1,706,077. 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 program. York Suburban School District received $46,195 in ABG funding. 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 is a $21,823,000 increase 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, York Suburban School District received a $1,659,882, allocation, of state Basic Education Funding. Additionally, the School District received $46,195 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 is a $233,290,000 increase 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. In 2010, the district reported that 592 students received free or reduced-price lunches, due to the family meeting the federal poverty level.
For the 2010-11 budget year, the York Suburban School District received a 2% increase in Basic Education Funding for a total of $1,726,755. One hundred fifty Pennsylvania school districts received the base 2% increase. The highest increase in York County was awarded to Hanover Public School District at 8.39%. 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 2% increase in Basic Education funding for a total of $1,692,926. Four school districts in York County received increases of over 6% in Basic Education Funding in 2009. The highest increase was awarded to Central York School District which received 12.54% in 2009. In York County, 12 school districts received a less than 6% increase in state basic education funding in 2009 and three districts received the base 2% increase. Ninety school districts in the commonwealth were given the base 2% increase. Among the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania, Muhlenberg School District in Berks County received the highest with a 22.31% increase in funding. In 2008, the York Suburban School District received $1,659,731 in state basic education funding. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 389 students, in the district, received free or reduced-price lunches due to low family income in the 2007-2008 school year.

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 York Suburban School District applied for and received $125,385 in addition to all other state and federal funding. The district used the funding to provide full-day kindergarten for the 7th year.

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 and paid for teacher training to optimize the computers use. The program was funded from 2006-2009. York Suburban School District was denied for funding in 2006-07. In 2007-08, it received $110,667 and in 2008-09 it received $45,413 for a total of $156,080 in state funding. Of the 501 public school districts in Pennsylvania, 447 of them received Classrooms for the Future grant awards

Other grants

York Suburban School District did not participate in: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education grants, PA Science Its Elementary grants, Education Assistance Grants, 2012 Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy grant, nor the 21st Century learning grants.

Federal Stimulus funding

York Suburban School District received an extra $338,739 in ARRA - Federal Stimulus money to be used in specific programs like special education and meeting the academic needs of low-income students. The Pennsylvania Department of Education advised the districts to use the money for nonrecurring expenses like purchasing equipment and teaching resources like books, and software.

Race to the Top grant

York Suburban School District officials applied for the Race to the Top federal grant. When approved for the grant, the District would have received millions 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, 120 public school districts and 56 charter schools agreed to participate. Six York County school districts applied 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.

Common Cents state initiative

The York Suburban 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

The school board levied a real estate tax of 20.7122 mills in 2012-13. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. Property taxes, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, apply only to real estate - land and buildings. The property tax is not levied on cars, business inventory, or other personal property. Certain types of property are exempt from property taxes, including: places of worship, places of burial, private social clubs, charitable and educational institutions and government property. Additionally, service related, disabled US military veterans may seek an exemption from paying property taxes. 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 public school district revenues are dominated by two main sources: 1) Property tax collections, which account for the vast majority Act 511 tax collections, which are around 15% of revenues for school districts. When a Pennsylvania public school district includes municipalities in two counties, each of which has different rates of property tax assessment, a state board equalizes the tax rates between the counties. In 2010, miscalculations by the State Tax Equalization Board were widespread in the Commonwealth and adversely impacted funding for many school districts, including those that did not cross county borders.
The average yearly property tax paid by York County residents amounts to about 4.01% of their yearly income. York County ranked 232nd of the 3143 United States counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income. 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 and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income.

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 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 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 costs due to increases of more than the Index in the school's share of payments to PSERS taking into account the state mandated PSERS contribution rate.
The School District Adjusted Index for the York Suburban School District 2006-2007 through 2011-2012.
For the 2013-14 budget year, York Suburban 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, York Suburban 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 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 York Suburban School Board did not apply for an exception to exceed the Act 1 Index. Each year, York Suburban 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 published annually, 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.
The York Suburban School Board applied for several exceptions to exceed the Act 1 index for the budget in 2010-11 for special education costs and pension obligation. 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, the Homestead/Farmstead Property Tax Relief from gambling for the Suburban York School District was $113 per approved permanent primary residence. In the district, 5,853 property owners applied for the tax relief. In 2009, the district's property tax relief amount was set at $114 to 6,816 approved homestead owners. In 2010 within York County, the highest amount went to York City School District set at $495 per approved homestead. The property tax 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. Pennsylvania awarded the highest property tax relief to residents of the Chester-Upland School District in Delaware County at $641 per homestead and farmstead in 2010. CUSD was given $632 in 2009. This was the third year they were the top recipient.
In Pennsylvania, the homestead exclusion reduces the assessed values of homestead properties, reducing the property tax on these homes. The homestead exclusion allows homeowners real property tax relief of up to one half of the median assessed value of homesteads in the taxing jurisdiction.
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 of their Social Security income, consequently individuals who have income substantially greater 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 and 12th in the country in terms of property taxes as a percentage of income.

Extracurriculars

York Suburban School District's students have access to a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by the school board policy.
According to a report published in the York Dispatch, the district initiated a $25 fee to participate in sports in 2011–12. In 2011 the district reported spending over $819,000 to provide its extensive sports program. York School District spent $62,906 for the transportation of sports teams in 2011-12. This was a $8,000 increase over sports transport spending in 2010-11. Countywide nearly $1 million was spent on transporting public school sports teams. The total sports budget grew to $711,149 in 2010-11 and $819,371 in 2011-12. Collectively, York County public schools spent over $9 million on sports budgets in 2011-12.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the District, including those who attend a private school, a cyber charter school, a charter school and those who are home-schooled, are all 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.

Sports

The District funds:
;Boys:
;Girls:
;Middle School Sports:
;Boys:
;Girls:
According to PIAA directory July 2012