Which schools have the most students per teacher? What percentage of school funds is spent on administration rather than teachers? How much money is spent on special education programs? What is the average class size for my school district? How much money is spent by the district for my child's education? How does it compare to other districts?
These questions and many more will be answered in a new by The Girard Foundation. The Girard Foundation, based in La Jolla, is a non-profit, non-partisan philanthropic foundation focused on K-12 education in San Diego County. This is the second annual report commissioned by the foundation examining school district expenditures for all 43 public school districts in San Diego County.
Among other findings, this study reveals that:
* Total annual operating budgets for K-12 public school districts in San Diego County exceed $2.3 billion. Special education alone consumes $324 million of school spending.
* Average class size varies substantially across the county--from a low of 18 students per class in Bonsall Union Elementary to a high of 32 students per class in Solana Beach Elementary.
* Currently, 80 percent of San Diego school districts exceed administrative cost limits proposed in Proposition 223 (The "95-5" Initiative)
Copies of the report can be requested by calling the Girard Foundation at (619) 551-0881 after June 4.
This study was conducted by the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont McKenna College. The Rose Institute is California's leading think tank analyzing political, demographic, and fiscal data and trends. Claremont McKenna College is a highly selective independent liberal arts college educating leaders in business and public affairs. CMC enrolls nearly 1,000 students and is a member of The Claremont Colleges.