The TUSD Governing Board voted 3-2 against outsourcing jobs in the district last night. The Board also reviewed the District’s budget and desegregation budget.
The two board members who voted in favor of looking into outsourcing were Michael Hicks and Dr. Mark Stegeman. The District is facing a $17 million dollar deficit due to declining enrollment and had considered outsourcing positions in many departments, such as custodial, transportation, maintenance, and grounds keeping.
The teachers union offered to suspend a personal day for all employees for one year and suggested the use of certified staff and administrators as substitute teachers two to five days a year. AFSCME representatives suggested that costs can be reduced by leveraging health insurance and life insurance for its members.
According to an Arizona Auditor General Report, the District has increased administrative costs for the past two years despite the decline in enrollment.
The Board reviewed the desegregation budget and was assured by the District’s attorney, Sam Brown, that the administration would be more transparent in the future with budget items.
Documents were delivered to State legislators on Wednesday which show that less than 21 percent of the $63 million in desegregation monies will make their way into the classrooms. The vast majority of the funds go to administrative services and special programs.
A review of the Auditor General’s report shows that in fiscal year 2011, the District spent $793 per pupil on administration, and in the fiscal year 2012, it spent $854 per pupil on administration.
The review also finds TUSD’s peer group average spending on administration for 2011 was $613 per pupil, and in 2012 it was $620 per pupil.
The review also found:
Total classroom funding from all sources for TUSD
2011: $8184 per pupil
2012: $8751 per pupil … This is a 6.9% increase in funding
Number of students enrolled:
2011: 50,550
2012: 48,969… This about a 3.2% decrease in the number of students
Total spending on administration:
2011: $40,035,600
2012: $41,819,526
Total spending on administration if TUSD would have spent no more than the average for districts its size:
2011: $30,987,150
2012: $30,360,780
Savings if TUSD had spent no more than the average for districts its size on administration:
2011: $9,048450
2012: $11,458,846
Summary:
• In 2012, TUSD had a 3.2% DECREASE in the number of students.
• In 2012, TUSD had a 6.9% INCREASE in funding.
• In 2012, TUSD spent $11,458,846 more on administration than it would have if it spent the average for districts its size.
