By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

St. Marys Area School District Superintendent Ann Kearney reported the district was found in compliance following a performance audit conducted by the Auditor General’s Office.

The purpose of the audit was to determine if the district was operating in compliance with applicable state laws, regulations, contracts, grant requirements and administrative procedures.

The lengthy audit covered the period from March 19, 2007, through June 9, 2009, and was conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

Additionally, compliance specific to state subsidy and reimbursements was determined satisfactory for the past several schools years from 2005 through June 30, 2008.

Kearney stated the process was “very thorough.”

According to a quote from the report, “our audit found SMASD complied in all significant respects...”

The district was notified on Jan. 19 that all areas of its Special Education Department were also in found in compliance.

Kearney added that in an unrelated matter, the technology department is required to have all employees read and sign the Acceptable Use Policy as well as a few other monitoring issues. These issues are not required by law, but are recommended.

In a budget matter, Kearney explained that new legislation, House Bill 2135, has been proposed to help alleviate the looming retirement fund crisis through the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS).

Next year the rate of retirement contributions made by the district will stand at 8.22 percent and increase drastically to 33.60 percent during the 2014-15 school year.

“We have received notice from the state that after allocating the grant amount they have but back 6.4 percent due to budgetary shortfalls,” Kearney said. “This grant helps to pay the tutors in our district at the middle and high school levels. It amounts to a $4,200 decrease.”

Kearney explained that California University of Pennsylvania has notified the district that at the end of the current school year the university will no longer participate in the Cal U in the High School program.

This program was part of the district’s dual enrollment initiative where students could gain college credit for successful completion of some of the district’s rigorous high school courses.

“It’s a very big disappointment for the school district. This year we have 32 students participating in the program,” Kearney said. “We would like to thank the faculty for doing the extra work to become approved by California University to enable those students to receive credit for courses.”

Among the courses offered were Trig. Advanced Algebra, Algebra III Trig, MWO I, II and III, Chemistry Study, Spanish II or III, Spanish IV or V and CAD-Drafting II.

She added that Clarion University offers similar courses but at a higher cost than the $75 fee for a three-credit course offered by California University.

St. Marys Area High School Principal Josh Williams is checking with other universities to check out opportunities for other dual enrollment courses.

Kearney reminded SMAHS alumni about the surveys available to assist the district in improving its school system. They are available by contacting Joe Collins at 781-2125 or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for specific details. Thus far 100 alumni have responded.

The district will be publishing newsletters relating to middle and high school activities and programs, following a request from parents for more information about the topic.

The monthly newsletters will be available on the school’s Web site, www.smasd.org, as well as in print in the front offices of each building.

The elementary schools will continue to have their monthly and bi-monthly newsletters.

She congratulated the Quarterback Club on a wonderful banquet and awards ceremony held on Jan. 30.

“It was a real tribute to the program and the student athletes and coaches. Head coach Schlimm gave a very personal farewell to our graduating senior football players, stating that five of these young men are currently in the top 20 of the 2010 graduating class,” Kearney said.

A moment of silence was held in remembrance of custodial supervisor Don Doksa’s father, South St. Marys Street secretary’s Dawn Bush’s mother and middle school teacher Patty Dillinger’s father-in-law.

On Feb. 23, St. Marys Area High School is hosting the Special Education Supervisors and Psychologists from the Intermediate United 9 (IU9) to meet with Malcolm Connor from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a presentation on Chapter 15, referring to services provided for handicapped and/or disabled students.