Rating how Delaware schools are spending money

New report shows how Delaware school districts are spending money on either classroom instruction or administration.

Delaware schools could be doing a better job of spending money on on classroom instruction instead of administrative costs, according to a new report issued today by Lt. Governor Matt Denn (D).

The school spending efficiency report examined how districts spent money during the 2008-2009 school year.  Denn says there was a big difference in spending between districts.  Top classroom spenders include both large and small districts.  The top five districts were Seaford, Caesar Rodney, Cape Henlopen, Capital, and Red Clay.  Those districts directed more than 76% of all their spending to direct educational services.  The bottom five districts, starting with the lowest, were Laurel, Appoquinimink, Christina, Woodbridge, and Brandywine.

Denn says if the lowest districts would shift some of their spending from administration costs to the classroom, it would make a big difference.  “If all of our state’s public school districts were spending on direct education of students at the same ratio as those districts that are spending at the highest ratios, the state could be spending about $28 million more each year on direct educational services without raising anyone’s taxes.”

Denn says because there are small and large districts at both ends of the rankings, the size of a district is something that can be overcome.  “There’s enough of a spread from top to bottom between districts of different sizes and districts from different parts of the state that the numbers suggest that a district that is focused on this issue can achieve well.”