A by-the-numbers comparison
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Here are 10 reasons why Amherst's per-pupil spending is so much higher than in Northampton, according to school administrators:
1. Teacher salaries are higher. In Amherst, they average about $60,000, while in Northampton they are about $10,000 lower. But Amherst is a more expensive place to live, with an average single-family assessment of $334,300 and average annual tax bill of $5,666, compared to $303,000 and $4,000 in Northampton.
2. Old figures. The latest figures listing per-pupil spending, put out by the state, are for the fiscal year that ended last June. The Amherst schools eliminated the equivalent of more than 50 full-time positions for the current year, but that lower level of spending hasn't shown up in state figures yet.
3. Well-paid administrators. The Amherst superintendent makes $173,000 a year, compared to $113,568 in Northampton, and the Amherst high school principal makes $128,663, compared to $89,166 in Northampton. The Amherst elementary schools all have assistant principals; Northampton's don't. Amherst has special education administrators making $98,731, $98,095 and $95,767; Northampton has two making $87,524 and $78,518.
4. Out-of-district spending. Amherst's spending is higher than Northampton's for students who attend schools outside their districts, according to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Web site. For example, Amherst is paying $320,760 for 24 students to attend Smith Vocational and $224,000 for 16 students at Franklin County Technical School this year. These numbers are significantly higher than last year's.
5. Health insurance. The per-pupil costs for insurance were $1,706 in Amherst and $1,045 in Northampton last year, according to the state Web site. For this year, Amherst found a way to limit increases in health insurance costs.
6. Transportation. The Amherst regional district paid $675 per pupil for busing students last year, while Northampton paid $317, according to state figures. Some of this can be attributed to the greater expense of sending buses to Leverett and Shutesbury, and Amherst is planning to save money on busing next year by having fewer stops.
7. Teacher-student ratio. Amherst has a higher one than Northampton, according to school administrators.
8. Operations and maintenance. Amherst spends $1,263 per pupil on the elementary level and $1,458 on the regional level, compared to Northampton's $1,072. This category includes custodians, heating and maintenance of buildings, utilities and technology maintenance.
9. Degree holders. Amherst, home to a state university and two colleges, has a high percentage of parents who have postsecondary and advanced degrees.
10. Other budget items. Amherst elementary schools and the middle and high school spend more per-pupil than Northampton on professional development ($294 and $352 vs. $199), administration ($626 and $652 vs. $494), instructional leadership ($1,134 and 1,288 vs. $814), and guidance, counseling and testing ($396 and $525 vs. $360).
Comments
As a reminder, Northampton
As a reminder, Northampton was just cited by the state on 43 areas of partial non-compliance with minimum legal standards for civil rights, special education, and English Language Education. The citations included lack of instruction, lack of academic support services, and missing implementation of the curriculum accommodation plan attributed to lack of resources, among many other issues that map to "lean" school funding. I hope that those weighing Amherst's override will take a close look at what Northampton's tight budget has wrought. As a Northampton parent, I'd hate to see another school district make the sacrifices our children have.
Degree holders?
Please explain number 9 as a factor in a higher per-pupil cost: "Amherst, home to a state university and two colleges, has a high percentage of parents who have postsecondary and advanced degrees." Why do the degrees held by the parents of students have any impact on the school budget?
No Override
All of this points out why there should be no override. To any reasonable person it looks like there is alot of fat and waste that can be taken out of the school budget. But then again, the vested interests that will vote for the override don't care about reason. They just want more of the rest of our's hard earned money in their buckets.