TUSD’s Stegeman calls for reallocation away from administration

TUSD Board member Mark Stegeman is concerned about continuing declines in TUSD’s classroom funding.

“To improve both TUSD’s academic performance and its public image, it is critical to reallocate spending toward classrooms and teachers. The district has for years talked about becoming more efficient in operations and administration, but so far we have little to show for it,” said Stegeman. “The Board and central administration repeatedly shy away from specific cuts.”

Other large Arizona districts and many Pima county school districts consistently get 56% or more of their spending into the classroom, according to the state Auditor General. Until five years ago TUSD consistently achieved about 55% but this declined to 50.4% in the last available report, for fiscal year 2011. The Auditor General’s office has found TUSD’s costs to be “high” in several areas and “very high” in administration.

Despite declining enrollment and many school closures, and even after adjusting for inflation, TUSD today spends millions more dollars outside of the classroom than it did ten years ago, in 2002.

Stegeman went on to say, “On October 9th, I will ask the Board to consider a resolution requiring TUSD’s spending in the classroom to increase in steps to 55% in fiscal year 2015, representing a total increase of $350-400 per student. I am happy to work with the Board and staff to find ways to increase operational efficiency and achieve these targets.”

Stegeman is convinced that these savings are achievable. “Food service represents less than 5% of TUSD’s budget. Yet if TUSD’s costs per meal were comparable to the large Arizona districts that are efficient in this area, then that alone could increase the district’s classroom spending by half a percent; and many persons believe that TUSD’s other administrative and operational areas are less efficient than food service.”

Percentage of funds spent in the classroom in 2010-2011 (comparison from the state Auditor General)

Comparison to eight neighboring districts:

Sahuarita     57.7%
Vail    57.6%
Tanque Verde    57.5%
Amphitheater    56.3%
Marana    56.1%
Flowing Wells    53.2%
Catalina Foothills    53.1%
Sunnyside    51.5%
TUSD    50.4%

Comparison to eight other large districts:

Chandler 60.6%             
Gilbert 59.9%             
Valley 59.6%             
Paradise Valley 58.6%             
Scottsdale 57.7%             
Mesa 57.6%             
Peoria 57.2%             
Phoenix Union  56.2% 
TUSD 50.4%

Stegeman concluded, “Improving TUSD’s performance will require significant and difficult changes in TUSD’s operations, but it is a critical step toward restoring public confidence in TUSD’s fiscal responsibility.”

Mark Stegeman is running for his second term on the TUSD Board. He is committed to increasing classroom funding, transparency and accountability at TUSD and restoring its historical position as one of Arizona’s best districts.