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RELEVANCE · PASSION · SUCCESS
Letter from the School Board President
On behalf of the East Pennsboro Area School District School Board of Directors, I
want to thank you, our community, for giving us so much to celebrate.
Since July 2019 we:
• Continued construction projects to improve the learning environment of our
students in elementary, middle, and high schools
• Began the process of transitioning our 5th grade from middle to elementary schools
• Introduced a new, improved schedule and an enhanced program including STEM
and Spanish in the middle school
• Initiated a Navy JROTC program at our high school
• Developed a budget that meets the needs of our school community, with a nominal
increase in taxes
• Persevered and maintained educational, mental and emotional health structures
and services through a three-month shutdown of schools due to coronavirus
In 2020, East Pennsboro Area High School was ranked 11 out of 28 high schools in the
Harrisburg/Carlisle area, moving up one spot from the previous year. The rankings
are based on student success indicators. At EPAHS, 21% of students took at least one
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam; 15% passed at least one AP Exam; 78%
demonstrated proficiency in mathematics; 74% demonstrated proficiency in reading;
and the graduation rate was 93%. These figures are not the only way that we can
measure the success of our students. Our students earned academic, athletic, and
artistic awards and honors throughout the school year.
When our students, families, and staff were faced with the unprecedented
circumstances brought forth by the coronavirus pandemic, they not only accepted and
handled themselves with grace and perseverance, but excelled in forming a virtual
school community. Our students have shown us more than ever that they are caring,
thoughtful, and articulate – and that they have the strength and resiliency to
overcome any obstacle. They give us hope that our community will continue to grow
and thrive.
Together, we are ensuring that our students have access to learning that is relevant to
their interests, inspires their passion, and makes them successful. I look forward with
anticipation to joining with our students again as we begin our next school year.
Sincerely,
David Crozier David Crozier
Contents Superintendent’s Letter 5
District Statistics 6
About the District 7
PA Future Ready Index 10
Standardized Testing 12
AP/Honors 14
Class of 2020 Profile 15
Budget and Finances 16
East Pennsboro Education Foundation 18
Progress Toward District Goals 20
2019-2020 Board of School Directors
Board President Members David Crozier Stephanie Andrejack Steven Davidheiser Board Vice President Patti Gilbert Jason Oyler Dennis Helm Leslie Marshall Board Treasurer Denise Pearson Mike Jones
2019-2020 District Administration
Donna Dunar, Superintendent of Schools
Troy Price, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Elizabeth Holley, Business Administrator
Colleen Livingston, Director of Special Education
Caitlin Miletto, Assistant Director of Special Education
Brian Moore, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Bruce Gordon, Director of Technology
Christopher Skaugen, Director of Athletics and Student Activities
Katelynn Edger, Coordinator of Communications, Grants, and Partnerships
Jonathan Bucher, Principal, East Pennsboro Area High School
Patricia Koser, Assistant Principal, East Pennsboro Area High School
Daniel Peck, Assistant Principal, East Pennsboro Area High School
Daniel Frey, Principal, East Pennsboro Area Middle School
Jennifer Shelley, Assistant Principal, East Pennsboro Area Middle School
Richard Tysarczyk, Principal, East Pennsboro Elementary School
Scott Shapiro, Principal, West Creek Hills Elementary School
2020 District Information
East Pennsboro Area School District 890 Panther Parkway
Enola, PA 17025 Telephone: 717-732-3601
Fax: 717-732-8927 Web Site: www.epasd.org
Letter from the Superintendent
Dear East Pennsboro Community:
Greetings! I hope all is well with you and your loved ones. It is my privilege to serve
this community as your superintendent. The Annual Report for 2019-2020 is
intended to provide our community members with a picture of our accomplishments
and relevant data both programmatically and financially. On behalf of the Board of
School Directors and administration, our goal is to serve the community as
responsible stewards while maintaining and improving the educational experience for
our students.
Who would have ever foreseen the 3-month school closure due to the Covid-19
pandemic? Our students, families, and staff all embraced the challenge with
resiliency, hope, and perseverance. We are so very proud of our students, families,
and staff for coming together with grace and a spirit of fortitude to make the best of
the situation.
At the time of preparing this Annual Report, the team is diligently preparing for our
2020-2021 school re-entry. School is intended to be social, together, learning within
the community through human interaction. Nothing can take the place of the caring
teacher to guide a student in his/her learning and to provide encouragement and
constructive feedback. Our goal is to plan for a safe re-entry with contingency plans
with safety provisions as the need arises in the fall. We are hoping for the best!
We have so much to be proud of – great talented and wonderful students, supportive
families, and a School Board that places our students at the center of all decision-
making – curriculum, instruction, facilities – all to maintain and improve for the
benefit of our community.
Please take the time to review this report as we take stock of our work in support of
District goals and our view as the vision for the future. We are proud to be East
Pennsboro Area School District!
On behalf of the Board of School Directors and administration team, I wish you a safe
and happy summer. And, I thank you for your support of our schools.
Enthusiastically and with gratitude,
Donna Donna M. Dunar, Ed.D.
2019-2020 District Statistics
District Size (Square Miles) 12
District Population 21,458
2019-2020 Millage Rate 12.3792
Municipality East Pennsboro Township
2019-2020 Budgeted Expenses $43,350,599
Personnel as % of Budget 61%
Per Pupil Expenditure $16,712
Buildings 4
Enrollment (as of June 30, 2020) 2,594
East Pennsboro Elementary School 550
West Creek Hills Elementary School 456
East Pennsboro Area Middle School 814
East Pennsboro Area High School 778
Ethnic Composition of Enrollment
Non-Minority 68%
Minority 32%
Special Education Enrollment 20.1%
Gifted Enrollment 10.7%
Low Income Student Percentage 34%
Participation in Cumberland Perry Vocational-Technical School (as % of High School population)
6%
Our Mission
To develop the whole child through relevant experiences that inspire passion and empower success.
About East Pennsboro Area School District
East Pennsboro Area School
District (EPASD) is a progressive
school district with a total
population of 2,594 students in
kindergarten through grade
twelve. Located in Cumberland
County, Pennsylvania, and
bordering the Susquehanna River,
the twelve –square-mile school
district serves East Pennsboro
Township and the communities of
Enola, Summerdale, West
Fairview, and parts of Camp Hill.
East Pennsboro is a suburb of the
state capital, Harrisburg, and
serves a socioeconomically diverse
community of over 21,000
citizens. Although it was once
considered a railroad town. The
community is now a thriving
center for business and service
industries. Corporations
including Gannett Fleming,
Highmark/Blue Shield, and
Norfolk Southern have regional
offices within the township.
Geisinger Holy Spirit Health Care
System operates a hospital and
numerous medical offices in East
Pennsboro Township.
Bordering the school district
campus is Central Penn College, a
well-regarded postsecondary
school. Within a 40-mile radius of
the school district, there are
numerous postsecondary schools,
including Dickinson College,
Dickinson School of Law,
Elizabethtown College, Harrisburg
Area Community College, Messiah
College, Lebanon Valley College,
Penn State Harrisburg,
Shippensburg University, and
York College of Pennsylvania.
Capital Area Intermediate Unit
(CAIU), which provides special
education and support services for
the region’s 24 school districts, is
also located within East
Pennsboro Township. The region
offers easy access to a variety of
private childcare, nursery, and
preschool facilities.
A strong partnership between the
school district and the township
has created a supportive
atmosphere for a dynamic
community. Excellent municipal
services and facilities brought new
families and businesses to East
Pennsboro. The result has been
an increase in school district
enrollment from 2,421 in 1993 to
2,594 in 2020.
EPASD is experiencing steadily
rising student performance as
evidenced by a variety of
indicators, including SAT and AP
exams, the Pennsylvania State
System of Assessment (PSSA),
Keystone Exams, and graduation
criteria. While there are moderate
changes in scores from year to
year, the overall trend remains
positive. All teachers develop
annual goals for each grade level
to identify and address areas of
concern, challenging students to
achieve at the highest level.
EPASD operates four schools.
Children in grades K-5 attend East
Pennsboro Elementary, which
serves the northern part of the
district, and West Creek Hills,
which serves the southern part of
the district. Both elementary
schools have an educational
philosophy that is child-centered
and offers a strong foundation in
literacy, numeracy, and Science,
Technology, Engineering, and
Math (STEM) using a rigorous,
standards-aligned curriculum
delivered through research-based
learning strategies that prepare
them for success in middle school
and beyond. The curriculum is
infused with character education,
wellness, and mindfulness
practices that improve the culture
and climate of our schools and the
education experience and lives of
our students.
Approximately 814 students in
grades 6-8 attend East Pennsboro
Area Middle School, which
features a team-teaching approach
focused on the unique needs of
adolescents. The curriculum
builds on the elementary school
experience and features a strong
emphasis on readying, literacy,
STEM, the arts, foreign language,
and interdisciplinary connections.
With approximately 778 students
in grades 9-12, East Pennsboro
Area High School offers the
advantages of a large school while
creating an atmosphere were all
students receive the attention and
assistance they need to success.
Students continue to focus on
literacy, numeracy, STEM, and
character education with
opportunities for specialized
learning in career-aligned
educational tracks, including Arts
and Communications, Business
and Computer Science,
Engineering and Industrial
Technology, Human Services, and
Science and Health Services. The
graduation rate for East
Pennsboro seniors is 93% with
76% of our students going on to a
post-secondary education
experience and 8% of our students
going into the armed forces.
District Data
Staff Overview
Support Staff
Administrators 15
Professional Staff 212
Support Staff 52
Contracted Staff 54
Maintenance/Custodial 27
Technology 1
Aides 26
Support Staff 52
Average Experience 8.6 Years
Starting Salary $12/hour
Average Salary $29,416
Professional Staff (Faculty)
Technology
Average Experience 12.6 Years
Starting Salary $48,281
Average Salary $59,182
Level of Teacher Education
Bachelor’s Degree 48%
Master’s Degree 52%
Percentage of PA Certified Professional Staff 97%
Percentage of Professional Staff with Emergency Certification
3%
Number of Computers in the District 2,900
Computer to Student Ratio 1 : 1.11
Classroom Internet Connectivity 100%
PA Future Ready Index
How do we know we are serving our students, families, and communities well? We
know that standardized test scores are not the only measures of success for our
children. In Pennsylvania, each school’s success is measured by the PA Future Ready
Index in three areas—academic performance, student progress, and college and career
readiness. How did EPASD Schools fare? The following are our outcomes, by school,
from 2019 measures, the most recent data available.
Key
College and Career Measures
EPMS EPHS
Career Standards Benchmark
High School Graduation Rate N/A
5-Year Cohort N/A
92.4%
Industry-Based Learning N/A
15.7%
Advanced on Industry-Based Competency Assessment N/A 3.5%
Rigorous Courses of Study N/A
54.5%
Post Secondary Transition N/A
84.9%
Proficient or Advanced on Pennsylvania State Assessments
Meeting Annual Academic Growth Expectations (PVAAS)
Advanced on Pennsylvania State Assessments
On-Track Measures
EPE WCH EPMS EPHS
English Language Arts/Literature
Mathematics/Algebra
Science/Biology
EPE WCH EPMS EPHS
English Language Growth & N/A N/A
Regular Attendance
Early Indicators of Success
(Percent Grade 3 Reading Level or
Grade 7 Mathematics
64.5%
70.0% 37.8% N/A
EPE WCH EPMS EPHS
English Language Arts/Literature
Mathematics/Algebra
Science/Biology
EPE WCH EPMS EPHS
English Language Arts/Literature 21.1% 25.4% 14.9% 13.5%
Mathematics/Algebra
24.4%
27.9% 10.0% 36.6%
Science/Biology 35.1% 45.5% 23.0% 30.1%
Standardized Testing
We recognize the importance of assessment to help us improve the learning
experience for our students. One way we can measure our success and determine
what we need to do better is to evaluate our students through standardized testing.
The PSSA helps us understand how students in our elementary and middle schools are
performing relative to Pennsylvania’s academic standards in English Language Arts
(ELA), Mathematics, and Science and Technology. Individual student scores can be
used to provide additional educational opportunities for students in need, and school
scores help our District improve its curriculum and instructional approaches.
The Keystone exams assess middle and high school student proficiency in core subject
areas and are one component used to determine whether our students meet high
school graduation requirements. Like the PSSA, the Keystone Exams help our District
improve its progress related to state standards. Keystone Biology and Algebra exams
are administered to students taking those courses, typically in tenth and eleventh
grades. Keystone Literature exams are typically administered to tenth grades, but
some eleventh grade students may take the exam.
In April and May 2020, students had been planning on participating in the
Pennsylvania System of School Assessment
(PSSA) testing and Keystone exams.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic,
testing was postponed.
Keystone Exam Results 2019
PSSA Exam Results 2019
English Language Arts
3rd Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Key
3rd Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Key
Math
Science 8th Grade
Advanced Placement/Honors
East Pennsboro Area High School offers students opportunities to enroll in
Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Through AP, our students can earn
college credits by succeeding in subject-specific AP exams. The College
Board placed EPASD on its 10th Annual Honor Role for significant gains in
student access and success.
We are proud to announce that the Spring 2019 AP Administration was the
most successful cohort of AP Students in East Pennsboro history!
AP and Honors Overview 2019
Students in AP or Honors
Courses 260
Students Who Took AP Exams 79
Number of AP Exams Taken 131
Number of Students with AP
Scores of 3+ 71
Percentage of Students with
AP Scores of 3+ 90%
Percentage Enrolled Who
Took AP Exams 45%
Class of 2020 Profile
Total Graduates 184
Class of 2020 Graduation Rate 93%
Post-Graduation Plans for Class of 2020
Four-Year College 61%
Two-Year College or Trade/Technical School 15%
Military 8%
Workforce 9%
Undecided 7%
Top Five College Destinations for Class of 2020
Harrisburg Area Community College
Penn State University
Shippensburg University
Bloomsburg University
Millersville University
Amount of Scholarship Funding Received $1,661,304
Total Students Earning Honors 73%
Superintendent’s Awards Honors in at least 32 courses
12%
Honors Trophies Honors in at least 24 courses
15%
Gold Awards Honors in at least 18 courses
8%
Silver Awards Honors in at least 12 courses
17%
Bronze Awards Honors in at least 6 courses
21%
Bu
dg
et a
nd
Fin
an
ces
2019-2020 Total 2019-2020 District Budget: $43,350,592*
* Figures are approximate pending August 2020 budget resolution.
69%
1%
30%
$15,716,314
$1,327,361
$3,902,269
$10,735,256
$10,669,392
2020-2021 Total 2020-2021 District Budget: $44,890,297
The 2020-2021 budget was approved on June 4, 2020 with a 3.2% tax increase.
25%
56%
17%
1%
$2,389,601
$3,342,558
$11,665,917
$10,862,013
$16,630,208
East Pennsboro Education Foundation
The East Pennsboro Education Foundation (EPEF) helps students in our community
by planning and implementing community-based events and activities to raise funds
to support innovative programs to promote academic excellence and educational
quality for EPASD students.
This past fiscal year, EPEF was able to fundraise $41,481;
$32,500 of which were comprised of EITC contributions.
Board Members
Lauren Sweet, President
Steve Grubb, Vice President
Nichlas Smith, Treasurer
Christina Baldwin
Liz Roman
Ed James
Molly O’Keefe
Daniel Proctor
Debbie Lawrence
Tammy Strayer
Leslie Marshall, School Board
Representative
Denise Pearson, School Board
Representative
EPEF is proud to support PantherPack for all students in the East Pennsboro Area School District who are eligible and participating in Free or Reduced Lunch. PantherPack fills a backpack full of nutritional food each week for each student enrolled in the program. The contents are different each week and may include: cereal, juice, pasta, granola bars, tuna, soup, etc. Participants also receive recipes and special announcements in their bags each week!
8th Annual Panther Prowl Adventure Race
September 8, 2019 at EPHS
Despite the rainy weather, EPEF held an incredibly successful and fun Panther Prowl!
They are looking forward to the 9th Annual Adventure Race in 2020 (date TBD).
Walk the Stage
EPEF generously sponsored the
professional photographer for
the Walk the Stage Graduation
Event to honor our Class of
2020 graduating seniors.
Progress Toward 2019-2020 District Goals
2019-2020 District Goals
Status
Goal 1 Prepare future-ready children Ongoing
Goal 2
Begin 2019-22 Comprehensive Plan
Implementation (Focus on
Excellence in Teaching and Learning
In Progress
Goal 3
Implement new English Language
Arts Materials (K-5th Grade) and
provide related professional
In Progress
Goal 4
Conduct mathematics program
quality assessment for alignment
with best practices and PA Core
Standards, and recommend new
mathematics materials
In Progress
Goal 5 Prepare for re-alignment of fifth
grade to elementary schools for Accomplished
Goal 6 Prepare for Navy JROTC Program
Implementation for the 2020-2021 Accomplished
Goal 7 Continue facilities renovation
construction project In Progress
Goal 8
Conduct quality review of
instructional technology integration
and provide related embedded
professional development
In Progress
Goal 1—Prepare future-ready children
At EPASD, we believe in a transdisciplinary approach to learning with a focus on
inquiry, project-based learning, and student interest. We believe in promoting rigor
and equity and affording students the opportunity for personalized learning while
emphasizing 21st Century Skills in the curriculum. To this end, we are continuously
improving our educational experience for students, and working to ensure that each
student has a guaranteed experience with an element of choice and personalization.
Mission Statement
To develop the whole child through relevant experiences that inspire
passion and empower success.
Vision Statement
Where relevance and passion inspire success.
Goal 2—Begin 2019-22 Comprehensive Plan Implementation (Focus on Excellence in Teaching and Learning
and Developing the Whole Child)
Comprehensive Planning for the East Pennsboro Area School District is a
continuous process used to ensure that all students are
achieving at high levels.
All schools can create better environments so that more students are
successful. Continuous Comprehensive Planning of our schools is essential
to providing increased student performance and quality results.
Innovative, exemplary, and research based programs, coupled with staff
development, focused and aligned resources, and public participation in
planning, are critical factors our schools that demonstrate continuous
growth.
High performing schools with varied demographic conditions have shown
they share common characteristics.
These Nine Characteristics are strongly correlated to consistently high
performing schools. As school teams go through the process of
Comprehensive planning, they will look for the presence of these
characteristics. The characteristics are:
1. Clear and Shared Focus
Everybody knows where they are going and why. The vision is shared—everybody
is involved and all understand their role in achieving the vision. The vision is
developed from common beliefs and values, creating a consistent focus.
2. High Standards and Expectations
Teachers and staff believe that all students can learn and that they can teach all
students. There is recognition of barriers for some students to overcome, but the
barriers are not insurmountable. Students become engaged in an ambitious and
rigorous course of study.
cont.
3. Effective School Leadership
Effective leadership is required to implement change processes within the
school. This leadership takes many forms. Superintendent's often play this role,
but so do teachers and other staff, including those in the school community.
Effective leaders advocate, nurture, and sustain a school culture and
instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional
growth.
4. High Levels of Collaboration and Communication
There is constant collaboration and communication between and among
teachers. Everybody is involved and connected, including parents and members
of the community, to solve problems and create solutions.
5. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Aligned with Standards
Curriculum is aligned with local, state and national standards. Research-based
materials and teaching and learning strategies are implemented. There is a clear
understanding of the assessment system, what is measured in various
assessments and how it is measured.
6. Frequent Monitoring of Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning are continually adjusted based on frequent monitoring of
student progress and needs. A variety of assessment procedures are used. The
results of the assessment are used to improve student performances and also to
improve the instructional program.
7. Focused Professional Development
Professional development for all educators is aligned with the school’s common
focus, objectives, and high expectations. It is ongoing and based on high need
areas.
8. Supportive Learning Environment
The school has a safe, civil, healthy and intellectually stimulating learning
environment. Students feel respected and connected with the staff, and are
engaged in learning. Instruction is personalized and small learning
environments increase student contact with teachers.
9. High Levels of Community and Parent Involvement
There is a sense that all educational stakeholders have a responsibility to
educate students, not just the teachers and staff in schools. Parents, as well as
businesses, social service agencies, and community all play a vital role in this
effort.
Goal 3—Implement new English Language Arts Materials
(K-5th Grade) and provide related professional development
East Pennsboro Area School District is dedicated to ensuring that its students have
access to the best possible educational materials. To this end, the District conducted a
curriculum review process throughout the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years. This
process was designed to improve the educational experience of the District’s students,
teachers, and administrators. As part of the process, the District analyzed the latest
available K-5 elementary reading programs and developed a set of criteria to
determine which program would best serve our elementary students.
The elementary reading program selected is Benchmark Workshop, copyright 2020 by
Benchmark Education Company. The program includes not only classroom
instructional materials, but also professional development and access to an online
platform that features e-libraries, message boards, reading logs, student groups,
student assessment tools, and a help desk.
The District adopted Benchmark Workshop as the primary elementary reading
materials in April 2019, and will continue to monitor the implementation and provide
ongoing professional development throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
Goal 4—Conduct mathematics program quality assessment
for alignment with best practices and PA Core Standards,
and recommend new mathematics materials
(K-8th Grade)
During the 2020-2021 school year the District will manage a mathematics program
quality assessment, similar to the English Language Arts assessment done previously.
The quality assessment plan includes: 1) Develop program review criteria; 2) Re-
search best practices in Mathematics instruction; 3) Develop program review criteria;
4) Examine achievement data; 5) Assess current program and curricular materials vis-
à-vis PA Core Standards for Mathematics; 6) Review high performing districts with
similar demographics; 7) Investigate and recommend, K-8, Mathematics materials for
adoption.
Goal 5—Prepare for re-alignment of fifth grade to
elementary schools for 2020-2021
The District is looking forward to the start of the 2020-2021 school year with our 5th
grade classes moved to East Pennsboro Elementary and West Creek Hills. We have
prepared for both curricular and programmatic implications, and will continue to
monitor our students, faculty, and staff throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
Goal 6—Prepare for Navy JROTC Program Implementation
for the 2020-2021 school year
EPASD is anticipating the start of our Navy JROTC Navy National Defense Cadet
Corps (NNDCC) program. We currently have an enrollment of 35 students for the
2020-2021 school year.
Goal 7—Continue facilities renovation construction project
While many of our renovations will conclude August 2020 for the start of the 2020-
2021 school year, including those specifically utilized for our students’ learning en-
hancement, the District will continue with our other projects. We will continue to im-
plement the renovations collaboratively with the EPASD administration team, Reyn-
olds and Schrader, and continue to communicate effectively with the EP community
on project progress and completion.
Goal 8—Conduct quality review of instructional technology
integration and provide related embedded professional
development (K-12th Grade)
The District is continuing to monitor instructional technology integration throughout
all grades and will provide ongoing embedded professional development. EPASD
views this as a critical goal given our need in spring of 2020 to conduct learning
remotely. In addition, we are completing other technological upgrades, including a
re-vamp of our District’s website expected summer 2020.
Enola/East Pennsboro Alumni Association
About EEPAA The Enola/East Pennsboro Alumni Association (EEPAA) invites all alumni and those who attended
Enola and East Pennsboro High Schools to join as active members. Faculty members and other interested individuals are invited to become Associate members. The Association is managed and
governed by a fifteen-member Executive Board.
The Association maintains an alumni computer database with names and known addresses of more than 11,700 alumni. It also plans theater and dinner parties and other projects to help defray operating expenses and manages a gift fund to benefit the district’s schools and students. EEPAA also supports various township
activities including the library and the East Pennsboro Education Foundation.
Alumni Board of Directors
P.O. Box 87 Enola, PA 17025
Visit
890 Panther Parkway Pupil Services Office
Enola, PA 17025
Call
717-287-8895
Wayne Yost—President Nancy Otstot—Vice President
Patty Schultz—Secretary Marian Soutner—Treasurer
Freda Smart—Historian
Barry Miller—Database Jim Close Liz May
Jean Stuckey Dinah Markley
Peg Garrison Jeff Smith
Mona Kreitzer Pat Cook
Pat Wolaver
