katonah-lewisboro: another look at cost per student numbers

KLSD School Closure

Understanding Cost Per Student Numbers

(based on Charles Day’s 10/17 Slide)

On 10/17/2013, BOE President

Charles Day presented a

spreadsheet with some eye-opening

numbers.

This chart tells the story of an

alarming rise in cost per student

spending

But …

These numbers do not tell the whole

story.

The data shows small budget

increases and plunging enrollment.

The result?

In 2020, the cost per student in this

district will be:

$50,125

There were small budget increases

to get to $50,125

Let’s consider more cuts!

Zero budget increases through

2020 results in a cost per student

of:

$45,842 !!!

Wait a minute. A flat budget though

2020 will still get to $45,842 ?

Is $50,125 a misleading number?

Presented with no

context, $50,125 is a misleading

number.

So, the future of KLSD is

hopeless…

. . . the board does present a

bleak vision of future

A real estate slump continuing

for at least 10 years

. . . more like 15-20.

Fewer people.

Empty buildings.

The future of Katonah-Lewisboro?

It does not have to be this way!

Stable enrollment is the only way

to address cost per pupil spending

Stable enrollment of 3,150 results

in a 2020 cost per student of:

$39,878 !!!

Rather than a drop of 680 students

in the next 5 years …

The likelihood is that there will be

stability in housing and enrollment

KLSD 2006-2012:

700 less houses were

sold than on average

1,170 less were sold than

from 1999-2005

These houses will move

Things will get better

The future is not bleak!

To control cost per student

spending:

We must stabilize enrollment

… not close a school

The future is not bleak. We can

make this district better:

• By having a positive vision of

the future

• By working with local town

officials

• By sharing a vision and a plan

with the entire community

The future is in our hands

Let’s work together to make this right.