Summary of Data from the Administrative Study Task Force

First Presented Dec. 2009

1

Task Force Objectives

Given the context of the national economic crisis and the difficulties Keene faces during this budget cycle that will require addressing fiscal realities…

• Comprehensively review Keene’s administrative structure and determine where efficiencies and cost savings may be found.

• Determine the financial benefits of sharing one principal between two of Keene’s smaller elementary schools. Address the variety of issues that would accompany such a decision and determine whether those issues could be managed so that education for Keene students would not suffer.

• From objectives 1 and 2, present recommendations on how to move forward.

2

Step 1: District by District Comparisons

• The committee looked at how Keene’s district costs compare to:– four “like” districts recommended to us by Mark

Joyce Director of the NH School Administrators’ Association (Portsmouth, Exeter/Exeter Regional, Hampton/Winnacunnet Cooperative, and Londonderry)

– five additional districts studied after an initial review of data (Concord, Laconia, Salem, Rochester, Merrimack)

3

Comparative Factors

• School Level– Per pupil spending

– % Free Reduced participation

– % SPED rate

– School performance

– Average school size

– A broad array of administrative costs, broken out subgroup by subgroup

• City Level– Per capita income

– Total tax rate

– Keene only – a quick look at the overall tax rate and tax breakdown over time

4

The committee analyzed these districts across a number of measures:

DISTRICT AND CITY LEVEL DEMOGRAPHICS

5

District Enrollments (As of Oct 2008)

6

9951,225 1,273

2,2512,600

2,994

3,656

4,499 4,6315,004 5,119 5,278

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Districts are K-12 unless otherwise noted. These enrollment numbers include preschool enrollments. Preschool staffing and enrollments are not included in staffing ratios or per pupil expenditure later in the presentation.

2007-2008 Early Exit and Drop Out Data by District

7

0.8% 1.0% 1.4% 1.4% 1.7%2.6% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9%

5.8%

3.2% 3.8%5.4% 5.5%

6.7%

9.9%11.0% 11.1% 11.3%

21.2%

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

Annual DropOut % 4 Yr Cum. Rate

In 2007-2008, Keene’s drop-out rate equated to 52 students. In 2008-2009 (numbers not yet certified by the DOE), the number of students dropping out without earning a GED is 20.

2008-2009 % Special Education by District

8

12%

15%15%

16% 16% 16% 17% 17% 17% 18%

20%20%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

From DOE-25 reports provided by NH DOE

Free/Reduced Participation by District

9

6.15% 6.68% 7.09%

10.39%

12.85% 13.29%

17.99%

20.73% 20.87% 21.69%

25.34%

37.80%

43.48%

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

45.00%

50.00%

City Level – Demographics

10

City

Residents with

income below

the poverty

level in 2007:

Residents with

income below

50% of the

poverty level in

2007:

Median

Household

Income 2007

Per Capita

Income 2007

Mean prices in

2007: All

housing units:

Cost of Living

Index (U.S.

Average =

100)

Merrimack 1.9% 0.7% $87,229 $34,586 $302,969 117.4

Londonderry 2.3% 1.5% $89,714 $36,225 $302,766 117.0

Hampton 3.9% 1.4% $74,892 $41,641 $406,994 122.4

Salem 4.1% 1.6% $75,851 $35,417 $333,438 119.7

Concord 8.0% 3.1% $52,120 $27,211 $251,198 118.6

Rochester 8.4% 3.0% $55,080 $24,891 $188,511 112.4

Exeter 8.7% 5.0% $57,817 $33,378 $240,615 119.9

Laconia 8.9% 3.0% $47,895 $24,875 $222,575 91.2

Portsmouth 9.3% 3.9% $59,013 $37,271 $373,703 126.8

Keene 10.7% 5.7% $47,917 $27,206 $220,901 92.2

City Level – A Comparison of Per Capita Income (2007)

11

City Level Comparison of the Total Tax Rates (2008) and Property Valuation

City 2008 /Equalized Valuation of School

Districts for Local Taxes (with Utilities)

Local Educ. Other Local State Education Total Tax Rate

SALEM 4,623,083,845 6.03 5.64 2.15 13.82

PORTSMOUTH 3,781,039,963 4.89 8.08 2.1 15.07

HAMPTON 3,031,631,500 6.42 7.35 2.23 16.00

LACONIA 2,151,357,301 6.99 7.57 2.22 16.78

LONDONDERRY 3,392,542,383 11.19 5.32 2.17 18.68

ROCHESTER 2,357,398,865 9.09 8.43 2.21 19.73

MERRIMACK 3,219,721,756 12 5.47 2.28 19.75

CONCORD 3,882,616,366 8.91 9.23 2.1 20.24

EXETER 1,591,018,998 11.16 6.91 2.19 20.26

KEENE 1,927,581,987 11.9 13.18 2.2 27.28

12

Per Capita Income (2007) with Total Tax Rate (2008) Overlay

13

Cost of Living Index Comparison

14

91.2 92.2

100

112.4117 117.4 118.6 119.7 119.9 122.4

126.8

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Laconia Keene U.S. Average Rochester Londonderry Merrimack Concord Salem Exeter Hampton Portsmouth

Cost of Living Index (100= U.S. avg)

Keene -Local and State Education Taxes –% of Total Tax (1999 and 2008)

15

61.57%

31.21%

7.21%

1999

Local and State Ed.

City

County51.71%

38.76%

9.53%

2008

Local and State Ed.

City

County

Education is only one piece (51.71%) of the Keene tax burden.

Keene - % Change in Taxes Raised –1999 to 2009

16

DISTRICT LEVEL STAFFING COMPARISONS

Based on Data from the FY 2009 Department of Education District Staffing A12B

17

Limits of the Data and Comparisons

• This is a district by district comparison. It does not provide building level information, or even a breakdown among elementary*, middle and high school staffing levels. It’s a big picture, high altitude view.

• It may be helpful to focus more on the direction of the information and less on any specific number.

• This data can give a broad view of where the Keene School District is now; any adjustments that may need to be made will require thoughtful planning.

*Elementary staffing ratios do not include preschool staff or preschool enrollments. DOE per pupil expenditure data is also K-12.

18

Number of Students Per Employee

19

Of the eight K-12 districts, the average number of Students/ Employee is 6.2

Keene averages 5.2 Students/Employee

On the other end of the graph: Salem has 1,376 more students than Keene, but employs 12 fewer people overall.

This category includes all of the positions reported by school districts on form A12B:

• full-time kindergarten teachers

• regular and special education classroom teacher

• instructional aides

• principals & assistant principals

• guidance counselors

• library specialists and staff

• clerical staff and all other non-teaching support staff.

Number of Students Per Employee

20

5.25.4

5.8 5.9 5.96.3 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6

6.8 6.8

7.3

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

Average Number of Students Per Teacher

21

Of the eight K-12 districts, the average number of Students/ Teacher is 12.8

Keene averages 12.0 Students/Teacher

This category includes all full time equivalent teaching positions reported by school districts on form A12B:

• full-time equivalent preschool and kindergarten teachers

• regular and special education classroom teacher

• “specials” teachers, Title I and ESL teachers are reported as classroom teachers

Average Number of Students Per Teacher

22

10.410.8

11.412.0 12.1 12.4 12.5 12.8

13.2 13.4 13.614.5

14.9

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

Average Number of Students Per Aide (Tutors and Paraprofessionals)

23

SPED aides (tutors and paras):SPED aides are tutors or paraprofessionals based on individual student need as noted in the student’s IEP.

The average number of Students/SPED Aide in the eight K-12 districts is 35.5

Keene averages 23.1 Students/SPED Aide

Regular instructional aides (paras):In Keene, Regular instructional aides are a subset of paraprofessionals providing classroom support, including Title I paras.

The average number of Students/Regular Aide in the eight K-12 districts is 183.3

Keene averages 78.1 Students/Regular Aide

Average Number of Students Per Regular Instructional Aide (Paras)

24

0.0

77.8 78.1

115.3 122.2 126.9137.5

148.3

177.9 183.3193.1

366.2

406.5

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

400.0

450.0

Average Number of Students Per SPED Aide (Tutors and Paras)

25

20.323.1

27.4

33.335.5 35.8 37.1

41.8 42.2 43.4 43.6

54.5

82.7

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

Average Number of Students Per Aide: Comparing Keene (K-5) to Exeter (K-5)

26

Because Keene’s instructional aide numbers are spread across the K-12 district, a true comparison to Exeter (K-5) cannot be made based on the original data.

However, we know that 70% of Regular aides are in Keene’s elementary schools (32.2 positions out of 45.9 total)

We also know that 68.9% of SPED aides are at the elementary level (106.2 positions out of 155 total).

With this information, we can compare Keene (K-5) to Exeter (K-5)

36.7

77.8

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

Keene (K-5) Exeter (K-5)

Students Per Regular aide

11.1

20.3

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Keene (K-5) Exeter (K-5)

Student SPED aide

Students Per Non Instructional Professional

27

Students Per Non Instructional Professional:

The average number of Students/Non Instructional professional in the eight K-12 districts is 137.6.

Keene averages 78.1 Students/Non Instructional Professional

This category includes non-teaching education professionals who have not been reported as teachers such as nurse, resource officer, curriculum coordinator, OT/ PT therapist, reading specialist, speech pathologist, psychologist and technology coordinator

Average Number of Students Per Non Instructional Professional

28

68.9 75.3 76.1 78.193.9

106.1121.5

136.6 137.6155.5

166.3185.1

307.7

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

350.0

Students Per Clerical Position

29

Students Per Clerical Position

The average number of Students/Clerical position in the eight K-12 districts is 159.5.

Keene averages 116.3 Students/Clerical position

This category includes all of the clerical support staff in the schools such as clerical workersin the principals’ or guidance offices. This count does not include clerical staff in the superintendents’ office.

Average Number of Students Per Clerical Position

30

106.1 110.5 116.3127.4

134.4142.7

149.4155.9 159.5

171.4

191.7

218.5

236.1

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

Number of Students Per Support Positions (Other)

31

Students Per Support Position

The average number of Students/Other Support position in the eight K-12 districts is 58.2.

Keene averages 53 Students/Other Support position

This category includes all other support positions not already reported on form A12B including: • social workers, data

processing, maintenance, bus drivers, security and food service workers

Average Number of Students Per Support Position

32

36.8 37.8

45.8

53.0 53.8

58.2 58.2 59.2 59.4 60.5 61.5

69.473.5

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

Other Staffing Categories

Keene Average of eight K-12 districts

Students/ Guidance 188.6 211.6

Students/ Library specialist &Library support 328.7 331.5

33

Students/Guidance The average number of

Students/Guidance in the eight K-12 districts is 211.6

Keene averages 188.6 students/ Guidance

Students/Library:

The average number of Students/Library specialist in the eight K-12 districts is 331.5

Keene averages 328.7 Students/Library specialist

Average K-12 Students Per Principal

34

403.3 438.1 439.4486.0 511.9

597.8 616.0 619.9718.0 740.3

862.5

1273.0

1497.0

0.0

200.0

400.0

600.0

800.0

1000.0

1200.0

1400.0

1600.0

If Keene used the average number (616), the difference is approximately 1 principal position.

Note: Hampton (K-8), Exeter (K-5), Winnacunnet and Exeter Regional are not K-12 districts and are not directly comparable to Keene in this category.

PER PUPIL SPENDING: HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY

35

2007-2008 High School Cost Per Pupil

36

$8,308

$9,400 $9,795

$10,438 $10,481 $10,772 $10,877

$11,880 $12,220

$13,058 $13,114

$0

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

Salem Rochester Concord Keene Londonderry Laconia State Average

Exeter Regional

Cooperative (6-12 only)

Merrimack Portsmouth Winnacunnet Cooperative (9-12 only)

In 2007-2008 (the most recent year for which per pupil spending data is available), Keene’s average per pupil spending at the high school level was $439 less than the State Average.

When multiplied by Keene’s 2007-2008 high school population of 1880 high school students, Keene spent approximately $825,320 less than Keene would have spent using the average per pupil cost.

Keene High School Per Pupil Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000

Year

Keene Average Cost per HS Pupil

State Average

Difference/ Per Pupil

HS Enrollment

Based on enrollments,

what the Difference

translates to:

2008-2009 $ 11,205 $ 11,573 $ (368) 1784 $ (656,512)

2007-2008 $ 10,438 $ 10,877 $ (439) 1850 $ (811,336)

2006-2007 $ 9,893 $ 9,992 $ (99) 1880 $ (186,759)

2005-2006 $ 9,637 $ 9,431 $ 206 1834 $ 378,079

2004-2005 $ 9,214 $ 8,982 $ 232 1844 $ 426,904

2003-2004 $ 8,360 $ 8,503 $ (143) 1861 $ (265,937)

2002-2003 $ 7,973 $ 8,023 $ (50) 1742 $ (86,281)

2001-2002 $ 7,608 $ 7,502 $ 106 1698 $ 180,531

2000-2001 $ 7,687 $ 7,167 $ 520 1659 $ 862,973

372008-2009 Data added 5/2010

Graph of the Difference between Keene High School Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000

38

$10,438 $9,893

$9,637

$9,214

$8,360 $7,973

$7,608

$7,687

$10,877

$9,992

$9,431

$8,982 $8,503

$8,023

$7,502 $7,167

$-

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001

Keene Cost per High School Pupil State Average

Average Cost of Principals + APs Per High School Student

39

$145.81

$238.57 $246.79

$314.53

$-

$50.00

$100.00

$150.00

$200.00

$250.00

$300.00

$350.00

Principal+AP Cost/High School Student

2007-2008 Middle School Cost Per Pupil

40

In 2007-2008 (the most recent year for which per pupil spending data is available), Keene’s average per pupil spending at the middle school level was $897 more than the State Average.

When multiplied by Keene’s 2007-2008 middle school population of 729 middle school students, Keene spent approximately $653,913 more than Keene would have spent using the average per pupil cost.

7,830

9,076 9,282 9,801

10,640 10,754

11,264 11,536

12,417 13,007

14,192

-

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

Salem Rochester Londonderry Concord State Average

Exeter Regional

Cooperative

Merrimack Keene Hampton Laconia Portsmouth

Keene Middle Per Pupil Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000

Year

Keene Average Cost per MS Pupil

State Average

Difference/ Per Pupil

Middle School

Enrollment

Based on enrollments,

what the Difference

translates to:

2008-2009 $ 12,552 $ 11,161 $ 1,391 708 $ 984,828

2007-2008 $ 11,536 $ 10,640 $ 896 729 $ 653,534

2006-2007 $ 11,482 $ 9,821 $ 1,661 728 $ 1,209,288

2005-2006 $ 10,622 $ 9,208 $ 1,414 776 $ 1,097,380

2004-2005 $ 9,792 $ 8,558 $ 1,234 795 $ 981,094

2003-2004 $ 9,397 $ 7,901 $ 1,496 801 $ 1,198,528

2002-2003 $ 8,129 $ 7,144 $ 985 841 $ 828,789

2001-2002 $ 7,455 $ 6,646 $ 809 858 $ 693,916

2000-2001 $ 7,184 $ 6,232 $ 952 873 $ 831,111

412008-2009 Data added 5/2010

Graph of the Difference between Keene Middle School Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000

42

$11,536 $11,482

$10,622

$9,792 $9,397

$8,129 $7,455

$7,184

$10,640

$9,821

$9,208 $8,558

$7,901

$7,144

$6,646 $6,232

$-

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001

Keene Cost per Middle Pupil State Average

Average Cost of Principals + APs Per Middle School Student

43

Note: Some schools, such as Londonderry, have additional administrative positions (e.g. housemaster, dean, Athletic Director) that are not captured here.

$261.53

$354.56

$-

$50.00

$100.00

$150.00

$200.00

$250.00

$300.00

$350.00

$400.00

Principal+AP Cost/Middle School Student

Average Middle School Class Size2008-2009

44

2007-2008 Elementary Cost Per Pupil

45

In 2007-2008 (the most recent year for which per pupil spending data is available), Keene’s average per pupil spending at the elementary level was $3,813 more than the State Average.

When multiplied by Keene’s 2007-2008 preK-5 population of 1203 students, Keene spent approximately $4.58 million more than Keene would have spent using the average per pupil cost.

$9,706 $10,401

$11,354 $11,507 $11,619 $11,690 $11,706

$13,005 $13,650 $14,331

$15,320

$0

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

$16,000

$18,000

Keene Elementary Per Pupil Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000

Year

Keene Average Cost

per ElemPupil

State Average

Difference/ Per Pupil

K-5 Elementary Enrollment

Based on enrollments,

what the Difference

translates to:

2008-2009 $ 15,133.73 $12,095.86 $3037.87 1187 $3.6 million

2007-2008 $15,320.00 $11,506.00 $3,814.00 1111 $4.2 million

2006-2007 $14,922.00 $10,716.00 $4,206.00 1092 $4.6 million

2005-2006 $14,159.00 $ 10,108.00 $4,051.00 1153 $4.7 million

2004-2005 $12,309.00 $9,406.00 $2,903.00 1185 $3.4 million

2003-2004 $11,843.00 $8,743.00 $3,100.00 1243 $3.8 million

2002-2003 $9,966.00 $7,961.00 $2,005.00 1280 $2.6 million

2001-2002 $9,108.00 $7,321.00 $1,787.00 1336 $2.4 million

2000-2001 $9,229.00 $6,705.00 $2,524.00 1351 $3.4 million

462008-2009 Data added 5/2010

Graph of the Difference between Keene Elementary Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000

47

$15,320 $14,922

$14,159

$12,309 $11,843

$9,966

$9,108 $9,229

$11,506 $10,716

$10,108 $9,406

$8,743 $7,961

$7,321 $6,705

$-

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

$16,000

$18,000

2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001

Keene Cost per Elem Pupil State Average

Elementary vs. High School Per Pupil CostsAn Analysis of 175 New Hampshire districts

• Of the 175 districts in NH, 65 districts have elementary and high school per pupil costs to compare.

– 27 out of 65 (42%) spend more at the high school level per pupil than at the elementary school level per pupil.• On average, those districts spend $2,018 (median $,1444) more per high

school pupil than per elementary student

– 38 out of 65 (58%) spend more at the elementary level than at the high school level.• On average, those districts spend $1407 (median $1,087) more per

elementary pupil than per high school pupil

• Keene spends $4,882 more per elementary pupil than per high school pupil (out of 38 districts, only Lebanon has a higher figure than this)

48

Average Cost of Principals/APs Per Elementary Student

49

Using the 2008-2009 Salary and Benefits Survey of NH Association of School Principals, we calculated the average cost of Principals and Assistant Principals per Elementary Pupil across the districts.

Multiplying the average per pupil administration cost ($318.81) by Keene’s student population of 1187 elementary students, Keene spends $65,667 more than the average on elementary principals and assistant principals.

$376.03 $321.26

$-

$50.00

$100.00

$150.00

$200.00

$250.00

$300.00

$350.00

$400.00

$450.00

Principal+AP Cost/Elementary Student

Average Elementary Principal Salary by School Size

Looking at 38 of the 41 elementary principals in the districts the committee studied (no data available for 3 Rochester schools):

50

School

2008-2009

# K-12

students

2008-2009

Principal

Salary

Wheelock Elementary School 250 87,343$

Jonathan M. Daniels School 190 78,174$

Franklin Elementary School 210 92,000$

Fuller Elementary School 283 90,916$

Symonds Elementary School 329 95,661$

Elementary School Size

# of schools in

group

Average

Elementary

Principal Salary

150-200 2 82,759$

201-250 4 84,375$

251-300 3 76,384$

301-350 6 85,234$

350-400 9 86,329$

401-450 4 89,088$

451-500 3 98,046$

500-550 1 99,156$

551-600 2 94,741$

601-700 2 85,837$

701-800 1 97,786$

801-900 1 91,658$

KEENE’S ENROLLMENT, STAFFING AND ADMINISTRATION OVER TIME

Because understanding administration costs, particularly at the elementary level, was a key objective of the Task Force, we also spent considerable time examining:

51

Students Per Administrator

52

150

200

250

300

350

400

Stu

den

ts

School Years

Students per Administrator, 1989-2009

Elementary Middle High School

Staff Per Administrator

53

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

Sta

ff

School Years

Supervised Staff per Administrator, 1989-2009

Elementary Middle High School

Elementary Enrollments Since 1989

54

Enrollment Principals

Students/

Principal

1989-1990 1667 5 333

1999-2000 1416 5 283

2008-2009 1260 5 252

Elem. Students Per Principal

While elementary enrollments have declined by approximately 25%, Keene’s total elementary administrators have remained constant.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009

Enrollment

Students/ Principal

Elementary Staff Per Principal

55

Elem. Staff Per Principal

Total Staff PrincipalsStaff/

Principal

1989-1990 201.6 5 40

1999-2000 233.7 5 47

2008-2009 301.3 5 60

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009

Total Staff

Staff/ Principal

However, while elementary enrollments have declined by approximately 25%, total elementary staff has increased by 50%

Nearly all of these additional staff are supervised by elementary principals

Middle School Enrollments Since 1989

56

While middle school enrollments have declined by approximately 12% since 1989, students per administrator have increased (KMS reduced one administrator in 2005). However, Keene had the smallest number of students per assistant principal out of the nine comparison districts that have middle schools.

Middle Students Per Administrator

EnrollmentPrincipals +

APsStudents/

Principal+APs

1989-1990 805 4 201

1999-2000 861 4 215

2008-2009 708 3 236

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009

Enrollment

Students/ Principal+APs

Middle School Staff Per Administrator

57

While middle school enrollments have declined by approximately 12% since 1989, middle school staff has increased by approximately 35%.

Due to the reduction of an administrator in 2005, staff per administrator has increased (again, a supervision responsibility increase for administration).

Middle Staff Per Administrator

Total StaffPrincipals +

APsStaff/

Principal+APs

1989-1990 95 4 24

1999-2000 118.6 4 30

2008-2009 128.2 3 43

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009

Total Staff

Staff/ Principal+APs

High School Enrollments Since 1989

58

While high school enrollments have increased by approximately 17% since 1989, students per administrator have decreased due to the addition of administrators, first in 2000-2001, then again in 2005-2006.

HS Students Per Administrator

EnrollmentPrincipals +

APsStudents/

Principal+APs

1989-1990 1559 6 260

1999-2000 1638 6 273

2008-2009 1819 8 227

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009

Enrollment

Students/ Principal+APs

High School Staff Per Administrator

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While high school staff has increased by approximately 28%, due to the addition of the two administrators, staff per administrator has remained about the same.

HS Staff Per Administrator

Total StaffPrincipals +

APsStaff/

Principal+APs

1989-1990 179.2 6 30

1999-2000 218.3 6 36

2008-2009 230.1 8 29

0

50

100

150

200

250

1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009

Total Staff

Staff/ Principal+APs

A Closer Look at Keene Elementary Schools

• Based on Keene’s average elementary per pupil costs and the staffing analysis, the next step was to take a closer look at elementary spending. The committee:– examined average class sizes in Keene and across districts

– compared Keene’s per pupil spending and average school size to other cities and towns in Keene’s population range

– compared Keene to other cities that are spending similar amounts per pupil

– prepared case studies of districts that are performing well and have a lower per pupil cost than Keene

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2008 Average Elementary Class Size Across Districts

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Keene’s average class size in grades 1-2 is comparable to the other districts, but is lower than any of the comparison districts in grades 3 and up.

Average Elementary Class Size – Keene Policy and Current Enrollments (Sept 2009)

• Grades K-3: District Standard is 20:1 (State Standard is max 25, 20 recommended)– Keene has a total of 199 Kindergarten students in 12 Kindergarten classes, for

an average class size of 16.58*(school averages between 12.5 and 20)– Keene has a total of 220 1st graders in 12 1st grade classes, for an average class

size of 18.33* (school averages between 15.5 and 21)– Keene has a total of 206 2nd graders in 12 2nd grade classes, for an average

class size of 17.16* (school averages between 14.5 and 18)– Keene has a total of 188 3rd graders in 11 3rd grade classes, for an average class

size of 17.09* (school averages between 15.6 and 23)

• Grades 4-5: District Standard is 25:1 (State Standard is max 30, 25 recommended)– Keene has a total of 212 4th graders in 12 fourth grade classes, for an average

class size of 17.66 * (school averages between 14.33 and 20.33)– Keene has a total of 147 5th graders in 9 fifth grade classes, for an average

class size of 16.33* (school averages between 12 and 23)

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Keene Average Elementary Class Sizes Since 2000

Year Keene Average Class Size 1-2

Keene Average Class Size 3-4*

Keene Average Class Size 5-8

2008-2009 18.0 16.2 17.2

2007-2008 17.0 16.6 18.8

2006-2007 16.0 17.2 17.9

2005-2006* 17 18 18

2004-2005 18 19 21

2003-2004 19 18 20

2002-2003 17 19 22

2001-2002 17 19 22

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*Note: in 2005-2006, the Keene Board of Education set a guideline reducing class size maximums to 20 students per class in grades K-5.

Per Pupil K-5 Spending Comparison with NH towns of 14,000 to 34,000 population

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Town Population

2008 K-5

Enrollment

# of

Elementary

Schools

Average

Students per

School

Average Cost

per Elementary

Pupil (2008)

Exeter 14058 972 2 486 13,004.77

Hampton 14937 775 2 387.5 13,650.32

Laconia 16411 965 3 321.7 11,690.18

Goffstown 16929 798 2 399 9,793.78

Bedford 18274 2406 4 601.5 10,195.97

Portsmouth 20784 992 3 330.7 14,330.59

Keene 22563 1187 5 237.4 15,320.45

Hudson 22928 1496 4 374 8,205.10

Londonderry 23236 2115 3 705 11,354.31

Merrimack 25119 1535 3 512 10,692.23

Dover 26884 1356 3 452 10,203.20

Salem 28112 1648 6 285 9,706.18

Rochester 28461 1888 8 236 11,706.46

Derry 34021 2343 5 468.6 11,599.10

Averages (not including Keene) 427.6 11240.9

Chart of the Average School Size Versus the Average Cost Per K-5 Pupil – Towns of Similar Population

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236

237 285

322 331

374388

399

452 469486

512

602

705

$11,706

$15,320

$9,706

$11,690

$14,331

$8,205

$13,650

$9,794 $10,203

$11,599 $13,005

$10,692

$10,196

$11,354

$-

$2,000

$4,000

$6,000

$8,000

$10,000

$12,000

$14,000

$16,000

$18,000

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Rochester Keene Salem LaconiaPortsmouthHudson HamptonGoffstown Dover Derry Exeter Merrimack BedfordLondonderry

Average Students per School Average Cost per Elementary Pupil (2008)

A Comparison of Keene and Other Districts with Small Schools/Lower Per Pupil Costs

Keene Rochester Salem

District Elem. Enroll. 1200 2015 1750

Average school size 237 236 285

Per Pupil Spending $15,320 $11,706 $9,706

Students /Teacher 12 12.5 14.5

Students/Employee 5.2 6.4 7.3

Students/Reg. Aide 78.1 115.3 406.5

Students/SPED Aide 23.1 43.6 37.1

Students/Non Instruct.Professional

78.1 75.3 155.5

Students/Clerical 116.3 171.4 236.1

Students/Other Support 53 73.5 60.5

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A Look at Cities with Similar K-5 Per Pupil Spending

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Based on the eight cities directly above and below Keene in per pupil spending, Keene is more closely aligned with smaller towns (average population = 5,636) with smaller schools (average 240 students).

Of 175 NH school districts, in 2008-2009, 22 spent more per pupil at the elementary level. The average population of these 22 towns is 2,043 and the average school size is 115 students.

Town Population

2008 K-5

Enrollment

# of

Elementary

Schools

Average

Students

per School

2008

Average

Cost per K-5

Pupil

Plymouth (K-8) 6,362 426 1 426 15,019.72

Newfound Area (7 towns) 9,878 594 4 148.5 15,080.49

Hanover 10,850 472 1 472 15,223.21

Oyster River Cooperative (Durham) 12,664 728 2 364 15,223.49

Keene 22563 1187 5 237.4 15,320.45

Croydon (Sullivan) 661 25 1 25 15,397.60

Hampton Falls 1,880 276 1 276 15,554.43

Jackson 835 55 1 55 15,584.02

Ashland 1,955 153 1 153 15,685.96

Averages (not including Keene) 5,636 288 240 15,346.12

2008-2009 Average Elementary Class Size Comparisons by Size of Town

2008 Average Class Size

Gr. 1-2

2008 Average Class Size Gr. 3-4*

2008 Average Class Size

Gr. 5-8

Towns with 14,000-34,000 population (not incl Keene)

18.6 19.9 22.3

Small Towns with similar per pupil elementary spending (not incl Keene)

15.8 15.5 16.8

Keene 18 16.2 17.2

State Averages 17.5 18.9 20.5

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One of the effects of small schools is a lesser ability to be nimble regarding class size. The fewer classrooms there are per grade, the more difficult it becomes to adjust to shifting student populations.

Other costs include duplication of administration, support staff, libraries, building maintenance, snow removal, fuel, electricity, etc.

Summary of Findings

I. Education in Keene, particularly at the elementary level and to a lesser degree at the middle school, is more costly than that of other comparison districts due to a number of expensive choices the district and community have made.

II. In per pupil spending over the past 8 years, Keene High School stands at or near the state average; Keene Middle School is higher than the state average; Keene elementary schools are significantly higher than the state average.

III. Keene has small K-5 schools for a community its size, and each is staffed by one principal – resulting in administrative staffing higher than that of comparison districts. Keene Middle School also has administrative costs that are comparatively high.

IV. Keene staffing is richer than that of comparison districts. With 5.2 students per employee, Keene has the lowest number of students per employee of any comparison district.

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Summary of Findings

V. Staffing levels at the elementary and middle levels are one driver of administration costs. Although enrollments have decreased over the past twenty years, staff has significantly increased.

VI. Keene class sizes in grades 1-2 are comparable to other districts; 3-8 are smaller than those of comparison school districts.

VII. Keene’s percent of students enrolled in special education services is higher than the state average; Keene’s special education service delivery model appears to be quite different than that of other districts (based on staffing comparisons and positions).

VIII. Despite Keene’s substantial investment in special education and its deep commitment to its students, the performance of special education students on the NECAP was less strong than other comparison districts allocating fewer resources to special education.

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