A
t the Norwin Board of Education’s Regular Meeting in
June, a majority of members approved a $73.6 million
final budget for the 2019-2020 school year that will
help Norwin students continue to learn in a premier
educational system.
The approved budget calls for a 3 percent tax increase, which
is the increase allowed under the Act 1 limit without exceptions.
A homeowner with a property at the median assessed value of
$22,010 would pay an additional $52.82 per year.
The increase will generate approximately $970,000 in
additional revenue needed to cover the increased operational
costs of the District. State retirement pension costs, tuition for
charter and cyber schools, healthcare, and increased costs for
special education programs and services continue to impact
the District’s Education Budget significantly. Some education
advocacy groups have characterized these as unfunded
mandates that force school districts to rely more heavily on local
citizens’ tax revenues.
Despite the increase, it is anticipated that Norwin School
District will remain among the lowest-taxing school districts in
Westmoreland County. Norwin residents get a good return on
their investment, as Norwin students academically outperform
those from many other school districts in Westmoreland County
(see charts).
The approved budget calls for:
n An additional full-day kindergarten class, which brings the
total to eight full-day kindergarten classes across the District
(two per elementary school).
n The addition of a Special Education Emotional Support
Classroom in K-4.
n Hiring 11 new teachers, including a new Special Education
Teaching position.
n A Ten (10) month School Psychologist to coordinate
psychological services for gifted and special education
students.
n A new Business, Computer and Information Technology
(BCIT) position dedicated to introducing seventh-grade
students to computer programming. This reduces Middle
School semester study halls to quarter study halls in Grade 7.
The creation of a Project Based Learning course for
eighth-grade students without additional staff. Students will
be provided learning opportunities through the creation of
projects using materials and equipment in the Middle School
Maker Space. This will reduce semester study halls to quarter
study halls in Grade 8.
n The addition of an Honors English 11 course at the High
School without adding additional staff.
n The addition of an Advanced Placement Computer Science
course at the High School without adding additional staff.
n A restoration of Assistant Principal positions to respond
to the needs of students at Hillcrest Intermediate School and
Norwin Middle School. These Assistant Principals also provide
supervision and curriculum support for teachers.
n The re-alignment of the Physical Education Program in
grades 9-11, which will specifically revise the 9th grade
course load to allow students to schedule a study hall.
n Maintained hours for the Behavior Consultant.
n A new Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant position.
n Additional contracted mental health services for both
individual and group counseling.
n No furloughs to faculty, staff, or administration.
n
These educational benefits for Norwin students, in turn,
benefit the greater Norwin community.
For the past nine years, the District has realigned staffing and
restructured programs to save money. In the 2019-2020 school
year, the District will eliminate a Central Office administrative
position by combining Assistant Superintendent for Elementary
and Secondary positions into a single K-12 Assistant
Superintendent position. As a result, Central Office personnel
costs are expected to decrease by approximately $300,000
when compared to last school year’s budget.
Norwin School District educates approximately 5,200
students in Grades K-12 at seven Norwin school buildings.
Additional information about the budget can be found at the
Norwin School District Web site at www.norwinsd.org under
“Recent News”.
Source: 2019 Pittsburgh Business Times School
District Rankings (based on Keystone Exam
and PSSA Exam results from 102 southwestern
Pennsylvania school districts, 2016-2018)
Westmoreland County school district tax rates in mills
during the 2018-2019 school year. Source: Westmoreland
Intermediate Unit.
NORWIN
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FALL 2019
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