Findings from my analysis included in testimony to the DC Council on Friday, March 4 and presented again as testimony to Mayor Vincent Gray on Monday include:
1. The number of DCPS central administration employees rose by 112 or 18% from 2007 to 2010 (the tenure of Michelle Rhee), while enrollment went down by 6,600 or 12%. Since FY 2003 central office FTEs are up 38% while enrollment is down by 28%.
2. As of October 1, 2010, about 100 of the central office staff have salaries of over $100,000 per year.
3. Per student spending went up 28% during Ms. Rhee’s tenure, compared to inflation of 6%, leading to the possibility that better student/staff ratios, smaller classes and other resources were responsible for the modest test score improvements that did occur. Unfortunately, the level of spending – which is high compared to other school districts -- can’t be sustained.
4. DCPS is now losing half its teacher workforce within 5 years, and half its new teacher hires within 2 years.
5. The percentage of inexperienced (first and second year) teachers has risen to almost 20%.
6. Beginning teachers (first and second year) are 25% of the teachers in three wards with mostly low-income students (1, 5, and 8).
7. Basic budget and expenditure information is not available to the public – such as financial reports, current budgets for both the system and local schools.
Copies of the testimony and the attached tables are posted here. A more detailed analysis of central office positions is here and more information is on the SHAAPE web site here under High School Policy Areas-Budget Analysis.
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1 comment:
I don't have good data on this, but it would also seem that at the same time the central office has grown, so has consultant spending.
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