of the District of the District
With the theme of Reach, the District highlights its belief to move outside the comfort zone, extend beyond the norm, and achieve great things that build a better Allegheny Valley School District. Supporting the many academic and creative achievements is the return of a number of projects that were put on hold or adapted during the pandemic; over $200,000 in awarded grants; a co-teaching program; and students and staff winning numerous awards over the course of the school year.
The last twelve months were also highlighted by attaining important benchmarks: continuing the focus on STEAM education throughout the grade levels; adding an AP Environmental Science course at the high school; expanding and increasing technology support throughout the District; developing the Pre-Kindergarten program in the elementary school; incorporating and exploring new textbooks and resources; and integrating a focus of belonging in both buildings. This focus encourages all staff and students to help create a more welcoming environment throughout the District. Starting with a basic greeting - Try Hi - administrators are working to build camaraderie and friendships among all. Expanded communication methods has also become an area of concentration.
New initiatives began with the start of school, and as the District moves through the year, additional programs, training for staff, and opportunities for students have come to the forefront. Parents and community members are urged to look for updates on the website, in District newsletters, and through building-level communication. As 2022-2023 continues, Allegheny Valley looks forward to exceeding expectations along the way.
Close-up:
Our Students:
“Attendance Rate” was redefined in 2018 as “the percentage of students enrolled in a school for 90 or more school days and present 90% or more of these school days.” Student Graduation
Our District:
◆ The District covers approximately 9.6 miles in area.
◆ 1:1 Technology Program in process in grades Pre-K - 12.
◆ Approximately 69% of graduates continue on to some type of formal or higher education, with 3% entering the armed services, 8% entering the job market, and 20% undecided..
◆ Millage Rate: 20.8377 mills
◆ Transportation contracted through W.L. Roenigk, Inc.
Our Buildings:
Acmetonia Elementary School
* This Cohort Graduation Rate represents the percent of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma.
◆ 21:1 Student/Teacher Ratio*
◆ Pre-Kindergarten, Full-Day Kindergarten, Library, Health, Physical Education, STEAM, Art, and Music classes.
◆ Special programs include: Title I, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), and special education support programs.
◆ Renovation Project completed January 2019.
Springdale Jr-Sr High School
◆ 18:1 Student/Teacher Ratio*
◆ Special programs include: Independent Study, Vocational-Technical Education, College/Career Articulation, Dual Enrollment, Innovation Lab, Early College Admission, Advanced Placement courses, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), special education support programs.
◆ 28 Extra-curricular activities, along with 11 Varsity, five Junior Varsity, and seven Junior High athletic options, are available.
◆ Renovation Project completed February 2012.
*Student/Teacher ratios are the total number of students in the building divided by the number of classroom teachers (elementary) or the number of core subject and special education teachers (secondary).
Updates:
Assessment...
A variety of benchmark and diagnostic assessments are used by teachers to assess student progress in the Allegheny Valley School District. The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a Pennsylvania standardsbased, criterion-referenced assessment. Students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in English/language arts and mathematics. Science is assessed in grades 4 and 8. The Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) is the statewide alternate assessment designated for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-8. Specifically, it is intended for those who are unable to participate meaningfully in the PSSA, even with accommodations. Student acquisition of the Pennsylvania State Common Core Standards is measured through end-ofcourse state required Keystone Exam assessments. The Keystone Exams are given after students have completed Algebra I, Literature, and Biology.
In addition to these state mandated tests, administrators and teachers also utilize results from Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) tests, STAR Reading, Early Literacy and Math, and Acadience reading and math. District staff also considers information from the PVAAS data, PSSA, and Keystone Exams for student progress analysis and during curriculum reviews.
Future Ready PA Index:
The Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress measures related to school and student success. It provides school-level academic information for public, charter, and cyber-charter schools throughout the state. Full-time, comprehensive career and technical centers are also part of the profile website.
The Index serves several purposes, including to inform the public of the academic performance measures of each school listed on the site. All data used on the site comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s authoritative data sources. The Index compiles a range of assessment, on-track, and readiness indicators, to more accurately report student learning, growth, and success in the classroom and beyond. The Index is released each fall and can be found online at https://futurereadypa.org/.
Several information tabs provide the site visitor with facts, explanation of score factors, academic performance information, and the ability to compare schools. The site also provides links to various reports that the District must supply annually to the Department of Education.
Allegheny Valley understands that the Index reflects the District’s status in a number of areas, providing a report where administrators can reflect on the data to identify areas that need to be improved. Modifications to the curriculum, the use of District data to assess each student’s individual progress, and additional evaluation of practices, all play a role in improving areas where students need support.
2022 Results:
Scores reflect the percent proficient or advanced on the PSSA/Keystone exams.
Curriculum...
This year, Acmetonia Elementary School was awarded a PreK Counts Grant. Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, supports quality half-day and full-day Pre-Kindergarten programs to 3- and 4-year olds throughout the Commonwealth. The Acmetonia PreK Program has 30 funded roster spots and is designed as a half-day program for 4-year olds. For the application process, children must be four years of age on or before September 1. Although additional paperwork is necessary to complete when registering with the grant, it remains the goal to continue to build quality programming for our students.
A co-teaching program is being piloted at the elementary level. For the pilot, certified support staff teach along with the content teacher in a regular education classroom. Co-planning, co-teaching, and co-assessing occur throughout the lessons, with both teachers working to create a more inclusive classroom. Through the program, students with disabilities have access to the general education curriculum as required by law, which includes the classroom community and activities they otherwise wouldn’t take part in, while all students enjoy more opportunities for one-on-one interaction with the teachers. Students also benefit from the additional supports, resources, and diversity in the classroom.
In addition, Springdale Jr-Sr High School has adopted a new textbook for the Grade 7 Ancient Civilizations history course. The World History Great Civilizations by National Geographic textbook also includes online learning resources as well. Finally, Allegheny Valley School District is evaluating a new English/language arts program for grades K-6 for the 2023-2024 school year. Recommendation of the committee selection is scheduled to be made to the school board in the spring 2023.
Facilities...
With the addition of a new Supervisor, the Buildings & Grounds Department has developed a new long-range plan to outline necessary improvements. The plan includes the replacement of all roof-top HVAC units at the high school, add bathrooms at the Marshall Auditorium that are handicap accessible, and upgrade security measures in both buildings. The plan also details small and large facilities projects for the next five years.
Both Colfax Upper Elementary School and Veterans Field remain under discussion. The School Board has approved demolition of the Colfax School, and asbestos will be removed from the facility as the first step of the process. The asbestos removal and demolition will be put out to bid, with bids to be approved at a future School Board Meeting. In addition, the Board continues to work through the issues of Veterans’ Field. The group voted to terminate the lease with Springdale Borough in October and are now reviewing options and next steps.
The District received grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to upgrade several security systems in the buildings. Currently, the public address system and door access systems have been researched, with priorities for the systems being established. Quotes have been requested from several companies, with administrators reviewing the costs to select a system.
The Emergency Management Committee continues to oversee safety and security for the District. For the 2022-2023 school year, the committee goals include conducting a large-scale drill, continuing staff development, and updating the Emergency Plan.
Awards & Achievements...
F District staff executed a Health & Safety Plan that governed the preK-12 academic learning environment that included virtual education and in-person learning throughout the 2021-22 school year.
F Allegheny Valley was awarded over $2.1 million in various grants throughout the school year. Grants covered costs stemming from the pandemic and supported learning loss, safety, and technology.
F One Acmetonia Elementary School three-person team won 1st Place (grade 4-5 division) in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Heinz History Center’s History Bowl.
F One SHS Senior won 2nd Place in Impromptu Speaking at the Eastern Suburban Special Programs Association Debate event.
F One junior was among 17 students inducted into the National Technical Honor Society at Forbes Road East CTC for Heating/ Ventilation/Air Conditioning.
F Two 11th grade students won a Bronze Medal (scoring in the 70th percentile) and a Gold Medal (scoring in the 90th percentile) for their Distinguished Achievement on the 2021 Level 3 National German Exam. The exam is a standardized test taken by high school students across the US studying German.
F Three of Allegheny Valley’s Academic Games elementary students placed in the national competition: one in the Top Ten (Theme); one in the Top Ten (Propaganda); and a third student won a Three-Time Qualifier Award and placed in the Top Ten in Presidents, Current Events, and Propaganda.
F Two SHS students won 1st Place finishes in 2D Art in the 2022 Waldman International Arts & Writing competition. One as the middle school winner and the second as the high school winner.
Technology...
Technology continues to grow and change throughout the District. At the elementary level, the roll-out of 20 new interactive displays kicked off the school year. These large-format, touch-enabled screens replace the older projectors, screens, and speakers that teachers had been using. This phase is one of three for the overall project to implement these displays in every District classroom.
Second grade students were provided with new Chromebooks this year. In years past, students used iPads in Kindergarten through grade 2. The switch expands the use of Chromebooks from grades 2-12.
A new ticketing and inventory system was implemented throughout the District to better support the school community and manage the vast number of technology devices in the District. The system enables all staff members and students to create tickets to help with devices, report problems, or request additional technology software or hardware that may be needed to support grade level or classroom curriculum.
The District also revamped a Technology Replacement Strategy to ensure that aging devices are replaced on a schedule that is timely and fiscally responsible. Devices such as faculty & staff laptops, student devices, and network & server infrastructure are all included in the program.
Allegheny Valley updated and expanded its communication efforts with technology. An updated website was implemented early in the school year. An additional site, dedicated to District athletics, was also added. Both of the sites continue the goal to provide as much information for parents as possible.
The District has also started newsletter distributions of a weekly publication, and newsletters for specific buildings and departments, such as Special Education. These additions have provided updated communication on programs, activities, and events, along with updates on planning and researching new items for students and classrooms.
Financials:
The 2022-2023 Allegheny Valley School District budget calls for budgetary expenditures of $23,808,922. Approved at the June 21, 2022 Regular Meeting. The budget includes an increase in expenditures from the 2021-2022 budget of a projected $935,657 or 4.09 percent.
Highlights
The 2022-2023 General Fund reflects:
n No increase in the millage rate of 20.8377 mills.
n The instructional budget represents approximately half of all costs to the District.
n Increases in the budget are attributed to costs of retirement, healthcare, contractual obligations with salaries, special education and debt service.
n Overall, the Budget was balanced using the increased federal ESSER funding.
1100 Basic Instruction
1300 Vocational Education
2022-23 $ 8,309,441
Amt. of Decrease $ 348,180 % of Budget 34.49 %
Includes: All activities dealing directly with the interaction between teachers and students including salaries, textbooks, supplies, and equipment.
Comments:
1. Increase due to staffing needs. 2. Decrease in benefit contributions.
1200 Special Education
2022-23 $3,293,001
Amt. of Increase $ 162,687 % of Budget 13.83 %
Includes: Salaries for special education teachers and aides. Programs include life skills, learning, emotional, speech & language, and gifted support. Also included are supplies, services, and some tuition payments.
Comments:
1. Increase in tuition and outside placements.
2022-23 $ 250,000
Amt. of Decrease $ 00 % of Budget 1.00 %
Includes: Forbes Road Career and Technical Center expenditures.
Comments: 1. Unchanged from prior year.
1400 Other Instruction
2022-23 $ 92,000
Amt. of Decrease $ 00 % of Budget 0.38 %
Includes: Alternative Education costs.
Comments: 1. Unchanged from prior year.
1800 Pre-Kindergarten Instruction
2022-23 $ 189,056
Amt. of Decrease $ 4,093 % of Budget 0.79 %
Includes: Pre-Kindergarten program costs. Comments:
1. Minimal increase of program costs.
2100 Pupil Personnel
2022-23 $ 656,574
Amt. of Increase $ 35,626 % of Budget 2.14 %
Includes: Guidance, attendance, psychological services and student accounting systems. As well as salaries of guidance and support staff.
Comments: 1. Increase in salaries and benefits.
2200 Instructional Staff
2022-23 $ 832,867
Amt. of Increase $ 18,997 % of Budget 2.74 %
Includes: Salaries of staff in the areas of audiovisual and library services as well as supplies, equipment, and services for curriculum development, staff development, and computer-assisted instruction.
Comments: 1. Increase in salaries.
2300 Administration
2022-23 $ 1,701,835
Amt. of Decrease $ 41,964
% of Budget 6.29 %
Includes: Board services, tax assessment/collection services, legal services, and the offices of the superintendent, public relations, and building principals.
Comments:
1. Increase in personnel costs.
2600 Operation & Maintenance of Plant Services
2022-23 $2,586,044
Amt. of Decrease $ 228,545 % of Budget 10.86 %
Includes: Salaries of custodial and maintenance staff plus all supplies, equipment, and utility costs needed to keep the physical plant, grounds, and equipment in working order.
Comments:
1. Increase in personnel and maintenance/ repairs costs.
2400 Pupil Health
2022-23 $ 270,627
Amt. of Increase $ 6,416 % of Budget 0.98 %
Includes: Medical, dental, and nursing services for students along with supplies. Also included are trainer services, costs for AEDs, and salaries for the nursing staff.
Comments:
1. Increase in personnel costs.
2500 Business Office
2022-23 $ 478,149
Amt. of Increase $ 6,141 % of Budget 1.72 %
Includes: Salaries of business office staff along with supplies, expenses, and equipment necessary to operate the school district.
Comments: 1. Increase in service costs.
2700 Student Transportation Services
2022-23 $1,349,437
Amt. of Increase $ 31,215 % of Budget 5.66 %
Includes: Transportation for all district students including those going to private, parochial, and special needs schools. Also included is transportation for state mandated early intervention programs. This transportation is also provided through the summer.
Comments:
1. Increase in contract costs.
2800 Technology
2022-23 $ 591,974
Amt. of Increase $ 16,313 % of Budget 2.48 %
Includes: Network, security, non-educational technology.
Comments: 1. Increase in professional services.
2900
Other Support Services
2022-23 $ 155,567
Amt. of Decrease $ 1,057
% of Budget 0.65 %
Includes: Salaries for lunch monitors.
Comments: 1. Minimal increase in services.
3000
Student Activities & Community Services
2022-23 $ 689,100
Amt. of Decrease $ 67,717 % of Budget 2.60 %
Includes: Salaries and supplies for student activities, athletics, and community services along with transportation and equipment for these programs and salaries for coaches and the Athletic Director.
Comments: 1. Increase in personnel costs and equipment.
5000 Other Financing
2022-23 $2,361,050
Amt. of Increase $ 41,294
% of Budget 9.91 %
Includes: Debt service, food service & athletic fund transfers.
Comments: 1. Decrease in debt service payments after refinancing.
Administration
Patrick M. Graczyk, Ed.D.
Melissa Holler, Ph.D.
Jennifer Vecchio
Andrew Leviski
Melissa Gibbon
Gregory J. Heavner
Hamsini Rajgopal
Janice Zastawniak
Tina Kaczor
Alan Donnelly
Amanda Noel
Matt Maine
Jay Zangrille
Superintendent
Supervisor of Pupil Services
Coordinator of Curriculum & Instruction/Director of Transportation
High School Principal
High School Assistant Principal
Elementary Supervisor
Business Manager
Public Relations Director
Technology Systems Coordinator
Food Service Director
Athletic Director
Supervisor of Technology
Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds
School Board
Larry Pollick President
Kathleen Haas Vice President
Paula Jean Moretti Treasurer
David Buchman
Salvatore Conte
Colleen Crumb
Jessica Griggle
Glenna Renaldi
Amy Sarno
Our Mission
The mission of the Allegheny Valley School District, a group of small traditional communities, is to educate all students to achieve their maximum potential. A dedicated staff, in partnership with school, home, and community, will empower students to become responsible and contributing citizens able to meet challenges in an international society.
The Allegheny Valley School District will not discriminate in its education programs, activities, or employment practices, based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, ancestry, disability, union membership, or any other legally protected classification. Announcement of this policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Employees and others involved with the District who have a complaint of discrimination or harassment or require information about accommodations for disabled individuals, should contact the superintendent of schools by calling 724-274-5300 or writing and mailing a letter addressed to 300 Pearl Avenue, Cheswick, PA 15024.