Smaller number of students doesn't slow spending

Thursday, March 23, 2006

By CANDY BROOKS
ThisWeek Staff Writer

A smaller number of students has not resulted in reduced spending in the Worthington schools.

In fact, district expenditures have increased 54 percent over the past 10 years, while enrollment decreased by 1,256 students, according to information provided by the state and the school district.

During the 1995-96 school year, the district spent $67.9-million on 10,818 students.

This year, expenses are expected to be $105.5-million for 9,562 students.

While expenses must be related to salary increases, because 85 percent of district spending is personnel-related, a closer look also shows that the number of teachers has not been cut to keep pace with enrollment decline.

Between 1995 and 2005, there was a net loss of approximately nine teachers -- meaning one teaching position was eliminated each time the district lost 140 students.

District officials point out that it is not that simple. While more than nine teaching positions may have been cut because of declining enrollment, other positions have been added to meet mandates, especially in the area of special education.

In 2004 and 2005 alone, 10.5 special education positions were added, which explains why teacher numbers dropped only three in 2005, despite the loss of 7.8 positions due to the merger of Sutter Park and Liberty elementary schools.

Still, state figures show that Worthington class sizes continue to be smaller than both the state average and the average for schools in a comparison group made up of districts with similar demographics.

According to a report by the Ohio Department of Education, Worthington has a regular classroom teacher for every 14.11 students. The state average is 16.47; the comparison group average is 16.8.

Class sizes in Worthington are smaller now than in past years, according to state records.

In 1996, the average class size was 18.

At elementary schools, the smallest classes this year are at Brookside, where the average third-grade class has 16.7 students, and in Liberty's second grade, where the average class size is 17.

The largest class sizes are in Granby's fourth grade, where the average is 27.5, and Evening Street's sixth grade, where the average is 26.5.

The overall average is smaller because it includes middle and high school class sizes.

While the advantages of small classrooms are touted by educators and valued by parents, the small teacher-pupil ratio drives up the cost of education and taxes.

Worthington spends an average of $10,163 on each pupil, compared to the state average of $9,018 and the comparison group average of $9,145.

The cost per pupil in Worthington is sixth among the 16 school districts in Franklin County.

At the top of the pupil expenditure chart is Bexley, which spends $11,538, followed by Grandview Heights, $11,472; Upper Arlington, $11,359; Columbus, $11,145; and Dublin, $10,548.

Spending less than Worthington are Plain Local (New Albany), $9,868; Groveport Madison, $9,590; Whitehall, $9,575; Hilliard, $9,831; Gahanna-Jefferson, $9,311; South-Western, $9,140; Westerville, $8,356; Canal Wincester, $8,316; Reynoldsburg, $8,222; and Hamilton Local, $7,433.