Overview

The proposed Superintendent’s budget has been released at a total of $130,541,213. This document provides a historical perspective on the budget proposal, with the goal of examining why the GPS budget has continued to increase over time. To help illustrate these trends, we will include graphs depicting long-term spending patterns.

All relevant data can be found in the linked Google spreadsheet. Please feel free to review my research, and notify me of any discrepancies you may discover. While I strive for accuracy, mistakes are possible. If you have any other areas you would like me to investigate, please let me know.

TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read)

  • The reason the GPS budget has increased over time is due to inflation.
    • Some programs have shrunk or grown as a percentage of our total budget.
    • When adjusted for inflation, we are spending less on our school’s budget today than in 2010.
    • When adjusted for inflation, we are paying more per student than in 2010.
  • The budget increases are non-partisan, spanning both Republican and Democratic super majorities.
  • Overall staffing has decreased. Reliance on technology to assist in teaching has increased

Budget Increases

In the 2024-2025 Superintendent Proposed Budget, the percentage increases for the past 20 years were outlined in the released budget document. I compiled the actual final budgets from 2010 through 2023 using the Board of Education Budget Archives, and added the corresponding yearly inflation figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The following table summarizes this information:

Budget YearSuperintendent IncreaseActual IncreaseYearly Inflation
2004-20055.51%–2.70%
2005-20066.85%–3.4%
2006-20077.92%–3.2%
2007-20087.34%–2.9%
2008-20096.75%–3.8%
2009-20104.91%–-0.4%
2010-20113.29%1.23%1.6%
2011-20123.83%2.02%3.2%
2012-20132.67%1.34%2.1%
2013-20144.88%2.85%1.5%
2014-20154.41%2.99%1.6%
2015-20163.78%2.17%0.1%
2016-20172.89%0.83%1.3%
2017-20183.10%2.78%2.1%
2018-20192.20%1.83%2.4%
2019-20203.60%1.40%1.8%
2020-20213.60%2.04%1.2%
2021-20222.48%1.58%4.7%
2022-20233.80%2.90%8%
2023-20243.52%2.77%4.1%
2024-20254.81%3.74%3.2%
2025-20264.88%––

Difference Between Superintendent’s Proposed and Actual Increases

From 2010–2011 onward, you can see a gap between the “Superintendent Increase” and “Actual Increase.” Often, the superintendent’s proposed increase is higher than what ultimately ends up being adopted. For instance, in 2010–2011 the superintendent proposed a 3.29% increase, while the final increase was only 1.23%. In most years, the actual figure is smaller than the proposal, which suggests there’s a consistent pattern of budget-tightening after initial proposals.

The graph below illustrates the differences between the proposed budget and the actual budget.

Comparing “Actual Increase” with “Yearly Inflation” gives a sense of whether the budget is truly growing in real terms. For many years, the GPS budget was surpassing inflation, until 2022 when inflation overtook the budget increases.

Reduced Purchasing Power

If the budget doesn’t keep pace with inflation, even a nominally larger budget can buy fewer goods and services year over year. Textbooks, technology, utilities, and other operational costs all become relatively more expensive, stretching district resources thin.

Potential Constraints on Programs

Programs may find they need to streamline programs, defer equipment upgrades, or curtail certain activities if cost increases outstrip the budget’s real value. Salaries and benefits (often the biggest portion of a school budget) might also feel pressure if the district can’t match inflation-driven cost-of-living increases.

Steady Growth Over Time

Although the actual percentage increases vary year to year, the general trajectory shows that the budget has consistently gone up. The graph below shows the actual dollar value of the budget over time, along with a trend line that shows the overall trend during this time.

Non Partisan

This steady growth shows a similar growth pattern for Republican or Democrat controlled Boards of Education.

Patterns and Potential Influences

From 2005 to 2010 the superintendent increases hover around 5–7%. Post-2010, proposals moderate to somewhere in the 2–4% range most years. This shift might reflect broader economic conditions, changes in enrollment, or policy decisions at the state or local level.

The significant inflation spikes in 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 (4.7% and 8.0% respectively) were not matched by actual budget increases, implying that the district’s real purchasing power likely took a hit in those years.

GPS students have dropped in population from 6,614 in 2012 to 5,607 in 2024.

Budget Cost Per Student

During this time, the cost per student has increased.

Budget Cost Per Student

When looking at the budget per student and comparing it to inflation, we see that the overall cost of the education per student has been exceeding inflation. The 2024 budget is 16.72% higher than the same rate if we applied inflation to it.

Budget Increase Reasons

  • Small Class Sizes: The district could be taking advantage of enrollment declines to keep class sizes smaller, thereby potentially improving individualized attention and instructional quality.
  • Special Education Services: The proportion of students requiring special education, 504 plans, and other support services can increase over time. Meeting individual education plans (IEPs) frequently mandates certain staffing ratios and specialized personnel, regardless of declining enrollment in the general population.
  • Social-Emotional and Mental Health Support: Schools may need to hire or retain counselors, social workers, and other specialists to address heightened concerns about students’ social-emotional well-being.
  • Facility and Maintenance Costs: Buildings, grounds, and equipment still require upkeep, heating, cooling, and repairs regardless of student count. Closing a school or reducing operations can be costlier in the short run and politically complicated.
  • Avoiding Teacher Layoffs: Some districts (like Glastonbury) have an institutional culture or policy against teacher layoffs. Even when enrollment declines, they prefer to use attrition (e.g., retirements, resignations) rather than actively cutting staff.
  • Cyclical Demographics: Enrollment may dip temporarily as older generations’ children have graduated. Eventually those homes are sold, and the next wave of families with school-age children moves in, the district may see a surge in enrollment again. It’s much harder to hire new teachers than to increase class size.

Future Enrollment

https://data.census.gov shows an increasing trend of children under the age of 5 moving to Glastonbury. These children born after 2020 will be enrolling starting after 2025.

Historical Trends By Programs

The budget increased from 2009 (90 million) to 2024 (125 million) by 39%. If every program were to stay the same size, we would expect them to grow by the same amount, this is not the case. Some programs grew by a larger amount, meaning they take up a proportionally larger part of the budget, some have shrunk and some have stayed roughly the same.

Salary Considerations

When salaries are shown below, there are a few items to remember when reviewing them.

  • This is simply an average. Some will be above and below it.
  • Some roles, like teachers only work 180 days out of the year. These roles can effectively be given a “20% salary increase” due to this.

0200 ART : 34.37% Increase

The 0200 ART budget has grown in nominal dollars since 2009, it hasn’t kept pace with inflation. That gap translates to fewer resources in real terms—meaning the program, in effect, has less purchasing power than it did 15 years ago.

From 2012 to 2023, the ART program showed reduced staffing in the mid-2010s, followed by a notable expansion in the last few years—particularly for teacher FTE and salary. Administrative staffing stayed the same, with salary fluctuations likely related to position restructuring or changes in pay scale. Instructional materials spending has varied considerably, suggesting periodic surges to purchase equipment or address new curricular needs. Dues/fees, while small, are on an upward trend, potentially reflecting increased external engagement in art-related organizations or competitions.

Overall, the data points to a program that has weathered some mid-decade cuts but appears to be on an upswing, particularly in teacher resources and salary outlays.

0300 BASIC EDUCATION ( K – 6 ) : 24.19% Increase

The 0300 Basic Education budget has grown in nominal dollars since 2009, it hasn’t kept pace with inflation. That gap translates to fewer resources in real terms—meaning the program, in effect, has less purchasing power than it did 15 years ago.

The Basic Education (K–6) budget showed fewer teachers than in 2012. Meanwhile, there’s a strong pivot toward support/intervention in reading and math, evidenced by major increases in tutoring/paraprofessional lines. Spending on magnet schools is phased out, technology has gained traction, and instructional materials remain a moderate but steadily rising expense. The dips and surges in field trips, summer school, and paraprofessional lines hint at evolving district priorities, program adjustments, and possibly the impact of external events on budget allocations.

Teacher Salary

When we take inflation into consideration, neither teachers nor administrators appear to have outpaced inflation between 2012 and 2024. Though their nominal (dollar) salaries increased, the purchasing power of those salaries has edged downward—teachers are a bit closer to keeping pace, while administrators lag further behind

In-Class Tutors/Paras

  • In Class Tutors/Paras” shows big swings, too—from $175,629 in 2012, up to $206,706 in 2013, then a dip to $106,133 in 2015, rising again to $116,724 by 2024.
  • These fluctuations suggest shifting budget coding (some years staff may have been labeled as paraprofessionals vs. tutors) or evolving program priorities (e.g., pilot programs, one-time grants, or reallocation).

Instructional Materials

  • Though it varies year-to-year, the overall trend is upward, indicating continuing (but not huge) growth in classroom material purchases.

Language Arts / Math Tutors / Paras

  • This line sees a steady, significant climb, signaling a major investment in academic intervention services over time (particularly reading and math support).

0400 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS & READING : 34.58% Increase

The budget for 0400 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS & READING oscillates around the inflation baseline. Sometimes it’s higher (likely reflecting bursts of spending on new initiatives, staffing changes, or curriculum updates), and sometimes it’s lower (due to fewer material purchases in a given year or staff attrition).

Transition & Reallocation of Resources: The district appears to have fewer full-time teachers in English and Reading than it did a decade ago, possibly offset by pay scale increases for more experienced staff. Meanwhile, new tutoring funds from 2022 onward suggest shifting resources toward flexible or part-time instructional support.

Administrative Salary Anomaly: The large salary jumps for 0.5 admin FTE remain a key outlier that might be explained by a contract change, a newly combined position, or a budgeting shift.

Curriculum and Program Shifts: Fluctuations in instructional materials and testing budgets point to waves of new initiatives, textbook adoptions, or assessment changes.

Evolving Tech Investment: The technology software line for English is up significantly compared to 2012, reflecting a wider trend toward digital resources and possibly remote/hybrid instruction tools.

Instructional Materials (English)

  • Fluctuates year to year: for example, $21k (2012) → $32.7k (2014) → $6.8k (2018) → $4k (2023–2024).
  • Such variations often signal curriculum adoptions or big resource purchases in some years and maintenance spending in others.

Instructional Materials (Reading)

  • Also bounces around: $6.6k (2012), up to $14.6k (2017), down to $583 (2022), then $4k in 2023–2024.
  • Could reflect larger periodic purchases (e.g., new reading series), plus small amounts in “off” years.

Testing Materials (Reading)

  • Notable spikes: $15k in 2014 and 2017, but only $2.5k in 2019, then $7.6k in 2023, and $3k in 2024.
  • May correspond to rolling out new standardized assessments or cyclical testing programs.

Technology Software (English)

  • Ranges from around $4.6k (2012) to $13.5k for several years (2017–2019), then up to $19,999 (2022) and $20.5k (2023–2024)
  • Suggests more money spent on digital subscriptions, online resources, or licensing over time

0500 MATHEMATICS : 39.68% Increase

The total budget for 0500 MATHEMATICS has trended with inflation.

0500 MATHEMATICS Trends

0500 MATH has evolved in a fairly typical way:

  • Gradual Salary Increases for both teachers and administration
  • New or Expanded Budget Lines for tutors (post-2016) and technology software (mid-2010s onward) reflect changing instructional strategies and tech adoption.
  • Fluctuating Materials Lines show periodic spikes when new resources or replacements are purchased, and calmer years in between.
  • Dues & Fees have grown modestly, possibly indicating greater participation in professional organizations or math contests.

Nothing here looks truly unusual. The biggest leaps or dips (like tutors suddenly appearing, or technology outlays surging) can typically be explained by new program initiatives or shifts in how the district allocates money. It looks like a standard pattern of gradual staff-salary growth, cyclical material purchases, and newly introduced lines for emerging needs.

One items of note is the large disparity between pay scales for Administrators and Teachers. Administrators make nearly twice as much as teachers.

Tutors

  • 2012–2015: $0 (no separate tutor line)
  • 2016: $19,692 (tutors appear for the first time)
  • Rises to $49,296 by 2022, then drops to $32,400–$33,048 in 2023–2024.
  • This suggests the district started dedicating budget lines to math intervention or tutoring around 2016, expanded it, and then readjusted in later years.

Instructional Materials

  • $5,194 in 2012 → up to $13,084 in 2017 → down to $6,144 in 2019 → $8,000 in 2023–2024.
  • These bumps could indicate new curriculum rollouts or big material purchases in some years, then smaller “maintenance” budgets in others.

Technology Software

  • 2012: $0; it appears in 2014 ($500), climbing to $5,919 in 2020, $15,963 in 2022, then $13k in 2023–2024.
  • This pattern suggests the district increasingly invests in digital tools, online licenses, or software packages for math instruction—spiking especially in 2022, then settling slightly lower in 2023–2024.

0600 SCIENCE : 38.95% Increase

When we look at the budget for 0600 SCIENCE, we see that the budget outpaced inflation until 2022, when inflation costs surpassed the budget.

Administrative staff remains at 0.5 across all years (2012–2024). Teachers decline from 36 down to 31 in 2023–2024, indicating a gradual decrease in the number of science teachers. Paraprofessional staff are constant throughout the entire study.

The administrative salary goes from $66,123 in 2012 to $87,881 in 2024, a roughly 33% increase over 12 years—fairly typical of incremental raises. The average teacher salary climbs from around $78.6K to $113K (up ~44%), reflecting step raises, cost-of-living increases, and possibly a more experienced teacher corps over time. Paraprofessional Salaries grow from $73,257 total in 2012 to $96,066 by 2024, which is about a 31% increase.

Tutor Crest Lab

  • New line item in 2018 ($20,759), rising to $31,544 by 2020, then generally in the $30K range thereafter.
  • Suggests the district introduced or expanded a specific science-lab tutoring/intervention program around 2018.

Transport / Mentor Program

  • Jumps significantly year to year ($7,116 in 2012 → $14,733 in 2013 → $625 in 2020 → $20,000 by 2023–2024).
  • Indicates a program with possible grants, external funding, or shifting definitions that can spike or drop in a given budget cycle.

Instructional Materials

  • One of the most variable lines: $25,939 in 2012, shoots up to $105,071 in 2017, $10,760 in 2018, back up to $109,367 in 2020, etc.
  • Large swings likely reflect major science equipment purchases, textbook adoptions, or lab upgrades, which are common in STEM programs.

Technology Software

  • Mostly $0 through 2015, then small amounts in 2016 ($3,594), 2018 ($114), and bigger jumps in 2019–2020 ($2,122, then $10,260).
  • Grows to $12,000 by 2024. This points to increasing investment in digital tools, online subscriptions, or remote-learning platforms.

Dues and Fees

  • Fairly modest amounts each year (under $2K early on), but slowly increasing to $3,000 by 2024.
  • .Typically covers professional memberships, competition fees, or conference costs.

0700 HISTORY & SOCIAL SCIENCES : 31.19% Increase

The 0700 History & Social Sciences budget reflects steady salary growth despite a shrinking workforce caused by inflation. Key trends include:

  • Teacher Salaries: Total teacher salaries increased significantly (32.5%) despite a 17% decrease in teacher FTE. Average salaries grew faster than inflation, likely due to step increases and retention of experienced staff.
  • Resource Fluctuations: Instructional materials and technology spending show spikes (e.g., $30K in 2022 for materials, $13K in 2022 for technology), indicating periodic investments in resources.
  • Enrichment Growth: Field trips and resource speakers gained more consistent funding in later years.
  • Digital Shift: Increased spending on technology aligns with modern educational priorities.

Overall, the budget suggests a department adapting to evolving educational priorities with strategic investments in technology and enrichment, while managing staff reductions with salary increases. It also reflects occasional bursts of curriculum spending, likely tied to state or district initiatives.

Staffing Trends

  • Administrative:
    • Fixed at 0.6 throughout the period. This consistency suggests no major changes in leadership structure or administrative allocation within this department.
  • Teacher:
    • There is a net decrease of 4.4 teacher positions over 12 years, indicating gradual downsizing or consolidation. Despite this, total teacher salaries increase

Salaries

  • Administrative:
    • Ranges from $79,347 in 2012 to $92,208 in 2024 (a 16% increase).
    • The “Administrative Average Salary” reflects what a full-time (1.0 FTE) admin role would earn: it rises from $132,245 to $153,680, showing modest growth in line with typical wage increases
  • Teacher:
    • 2012: $1,860,993 ($70,492 per teacher average)
    • 2024: $2,465,438 ($112,065 per teacher average)
    • Despite fewer teachers, total salary costs rise by 32.5%, with the average salary increasing by ~59%. This reflects standard step raises, cost-of-living adjustments, and possibly a more experienced workforce

Field Trips

  • Small and inconsistent, but there is a notable increase in later years, especially $2,000 allocated in 2023–2024.

Resource Speakers

  • Fluctuates: from $600 (2012) to $1,500 in 2023–2024 after several years of being near zero. The rise suggests a renewed emphasis on external enrichment programs.

Instructional Materials

  • Peaks at $30,129 in 2022, then drops back to $8,000 by 2023–2024
  • These fluctuations likely reflect material adoptions, major resource updates, or adjustments in instructional priorities

Technology Software

  • Peaks at $13,286 in 2022, then stabilizes at $12,000 in 2023–2024.
  • .Suggests a shift toward integrating digital resources, especially in the last few years.

Dues & Fees

  • Minimal to nonexistent in early years, except for small amounts in 2013 ($142) and 2019 ($75).
  • Steady at $2,000 in 2023–2024, possibly reflecting increased participation in professional organizations, competitions, or events

0900 CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION : 47.97% Increase

The 0900 Career & Technical Education budget reflects a department that has steadily expanded over the years, with a notable jump in staffing and spending in 2022. Salaries grow in line with inflation, but materials and technology spending far outpace it, reflecting the specialized needs of career-focused education. The fluctuations in certain line items suggest one-time investments in resources, likely tied to program updates or new initiatives. While nothing appears glaringly unusual, the significant variability in supplies and technology highlights the evolving demands of this department.

0900 CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION Review

Staffing Trends

  • Administrative FTE:
    • Consistently at 0.9 FTE from 2012–2024, with gradual increases in administrative salary reflecting regular pay adjustments.
  • Teacher FTE:
    • 2012–2021: Steady at 14.2 teachers
    • 2022: A sharp increase to 17.2 teachers before dropping slightly to 17 teachers in 2023–2024.
    • This increase in 2022 suggests either a rise in enrollment, program expansion, or a district decision to bolster staffing for career education.

Salaries

  • Administrative Salaries:
    • Grows from $119,435 in 2012 to $158,185 in 2024, a 32.5% increase over 12 years.
    • The average administrative salary rises similarly, from $132,706 to $175,761. This aligns with typical wage increases and reflects consistent administrative roles.
  • Teacher Salaries:
    • 2012: $1,282,579 ($90,322 per teacher average)
    • 2024: $1,718,497 ($101,088 per teacher average)
    • Total teacher salaries increase by 34%, with the average per-teacher salary rising by about 11.9%. This modest per-teacher increase reflects steady pay raises, though the overall jump in total salaries is driven by the staffing increase in 2022.

Supplies & Materials

  • Field Trips:
    • Fluctuates but remains a relatively small line item, ranging from $0 (2020) to $2,000 (2023–2024). These variations might reflect fluctuating funding priorities or pandemic-related restrictions in 2020.
  • Instructional Materials:
    • Starts at $32,280 (2012), peaks at $152,563 (2024), with notable spikes in 2017 ($82,190), 2022 ($98,060), and 2023 ($134,909).
    • This large variability suggests periodic curriculum overhauls, new equipment purchases, or updates to meet program requirements.
  • Technology Software:
    • Gradual growth, peaking at $16,926 in 2022 before slightly decreasing to $13,158 in 2024. This reflects growing reliance on digital tools, software licenses, and technology integration.
  • Dues & Fees:
    • Absent for most years but appears as $4,500 in 2024. This may reflect new memberships, certifications, or external program requirements.

1000 COMMUNITY SERVICES : 20.38% Increase

The 1000 Community Services budget exhibits steady salary growth for custodians, minimal growth for secretarial staff, and significant increases in technology-related services. While most trends align with inflation or expected shifts in priorities, the slow growth in secretarial pay stands out as unusual, potentially indicating turnover or lack of raises. The large fluctuations in supplies and materials reflect periodic spending patterns influenced by external factors, such as the pandemic or major equipment purchases. Overall, the budget shows a shift toward increased reliance on technology and occasional peaks in spending for specific needs.

Staffing
  • Custodians (FTE):
    • 2.5 FTE custodians remain constant throughout the 2012–2024 period.
  • Secretarial Staff (FTE):
    • 0.75 FTE remains consistent over the same period.
Salaries

Custodial Salaries

  • Total Custodian Salaries:
    • 2012: $104,854 → 2024: $149,583 (a 42.6% increase over 12 years).
    • Average Custodian Salary:
      • 2012: $41,942 → 2024: $59,833 (a 42.7% increase).
  • Analysis:
    • The salary growth appears to slightly outpace inflation (average annual increase ~3.5%), reflecting regular pay raises, cost-of-living adjustments, and/or union agreements.

Secretarial Salaries

  • Total Secretarial Salaries:
    • 2012: $41,934 → 2024: $42,588 (a modest 1.6% increase).
    • Average Secretarial Salary:
      • 2012: $55,912 → 2024: $56,784 (a 1.6% increase).
  • Analysis:
    • Secretarial salaries exhibit minimal growth over 12 years. This limited increase might indicate stagnant pay rates, or newer hires replacing more experienced, higher-paid staff.
Purchased Services

Part-Time / Overtime (Systemwide)

  1. 2012: $141,346 → 2024: $182,592 (a 29.2% increase).
    • Fluctuates year to year, with dips in 2015 ($130,488) and 2021 ($98,896). The 2021 decrease may reflect reduced activities or services during the pandemic.

Audio-Visual Services

  • 2012: $18,430 → 2024: $30,322 (a 64.5% increase).
    • Significant growth from 2012–2024, suggesting increased reliance on audio-visual technology, possibly for remote services or expanded events.
Supplies & Material
  • Instructional Materials:
    • Fluctuates widely, e.g., $19,281 (2012) → $4,982 (2021) → $16,000 (2023–2024).
    • The sharp dip in 2021 may reflect pandemic-related restrictions, with spending recovering in subsequent years.

1100 P.A.C.E. : 27.50% Increase

The 1100 P.A.C.E. budget demonstrates consistent investment in teacher salaries, with average pay falling behind inflation. However, total salary growth lags due to reduced staffing levels. Supplies and materials spending fluctuates significantly, with occasional spikes likely tied to curriculum updates or resource investments. The lack of field trip funding and minimal dues and fees suggest a program focused primarily on in-class instruction rather than external enrichment. While the overall budget aligns with inflation trends, the 2018 dip in salaries and materials stands out as an unusual deviation, potentially caused by turnover or funding adjustments.

Staffing
  • Teacher FTE:
    • Starts at 6.75 FTE (2012–2018) and decreases to 6 FTE from 2019 onwards.
    • This reduction likely reflects program adjustments, reduced enrollment, or budgetary constraints.
Total Teacher Salaries
  • 2012: $575,144 → 2024: $663,086 (a 15.3% increase over 12 years).
    • Total salaries grow modestly, reflecting the decrease in FTE from 6.75 to 6 teachers. However, the reduction in staff does not significantly lower the total salary budget.
    • Total teacher salaries drop from $610,456 (2017) to $560,074 (2018), This anomaly could be due to staff turnover, reallocation of funds, or reduced program demand.
Average Teacher Salary
  • 2012: $85,207 → 2024: $110,514 (a 29.7% increase).
    • The average salary grows faster than inflation, reflecting regular step increases, cost-of-living adjustments, or retention of more experienced staff.
  • 2018 Drop:
    • The average salary dips to $82,974 in 2018, indicating either staffing turnover or a temporary budget reallocation.
Field Trips
  • 2012–2024: $0 for all years.
    • This consistent lack of allocation suggests that field trips are not a focus or priority for this program.

Instructional Materials

  • Fluctuates year to year:
    • 2012: $2,190 → 2016: $7,578 (peak) → 2018: $120 (sharp drop) → 2024: $2,000.
    • The significant variations suggest periodic spikes for curriculum updates or resource purchases, with minimal spending in off years (e.g., 2018). In 2018, the spending dropped to only $120

Dues and Fees

  • 2012: $3,359 → 2024: $2,000 (a gradual decrease).
    • Consistently modest, this category likely covers professional memberships, certifications, or program-related fees.

The 1300 Foreign Language & ELL budget shows moderate growth and falls just below inflation. Staffing reductions for foreign language teachers are offset by significant increases in ELL services, technology, and tutor spending. While average teacher salaries grow in line with inflation, administrative salaries lag behind. The decline in instructional materials spending and variability in field trips and competitions suggest resource reallocation and shifting priorities. These trends highlight a growing focus on ELL support, technology, and cost containment.

Administrative

  • Administrative FTE:
    • Remains constant at 1.0 FTE throughout the 2012–2024 period, indicating no changes in administrative staffing levels.

Teachers

  • Foreign Language Teachers:
    • Declines from 45.35 FTE (2012) to 40.9 FTE (2024), a 9.8% decrease. This reduction likely reflects shifting program priorities or declining enrollment in foreign language classes.
  • ELL Teachers:
    • Consistently low at 1.2–1.4 FTE, showing little change over time, despite increased demand for ELL services.
  • Special Program Teachers (ACTFL Grant, Confucius Classroom):
    • Both categories are phased out by 2014, indicating the expiration of funding or program termination
Salaries

Administrative Salaries

  • 2012: $132,245 → 2024: $153,680 (16.2% increase).
  • This growth is significantly below the estimated inflation over this period, indicating that administrative salaries have not kept pace with inflation.
  • We see a dip in administrator salary at 2022, suggesting staff turnover.

Average Teacher Salaries

  • 2012: $75,981 → 2024: $107,615 (41.6% increase).
    • This growth is closer to inflation, reflecting raises for retained staff.
Purchased Services

Tutors (ELL)

  • 2012: $93,310 → 2024: $190,026 (103.7% increase).
    • Significant growth indicates increased reliance on ELL tutors.

Interpreter Services

  • 2024 shows the approved budget, not the actual cost spent. This accounts for the spike at the end of the graph.

Field Trips and Competitions

  • Sporadic funding for field trips, competitions, and resource speakers, with notable increases in 2023–2024 (e.g., $5,500 for national competitions).
Supplies & Materials

Instructional Materials

  • 2012: $34,970 → 2024: $22,000 (37.1% decrease).
    • This decline indicates a shift away from traditional materials, likely replaced by technology or other resources.

Technology Software

  • This spending growth highlights the increased role of digital tools in foreign language and ELL education.

Dues and Fees

  • We have seen a dramatic increase in dues and fees

1400 SCHOOL COUNSELING : 89.29% Increase

The 1400 School Counseling budget shows a steady expansion of services, particularly in psychological support, while administrative and secretarial roles remain constant. Counselor salaries and technology spending grew steadily, though some areas, such as administrative salaries, lag behind inflation. The overall growth reflects shifting priorities toward mental health and technological tools, though the variability in certain categories suggests occasional resource reallocation.

The increase in this program, reflected by additional staff, indicates that a higher percentage of our overall budget is being spent on this program.

Overall Growth in Staffing
  • Counselors: The number of counselors remained at 18 from 2012 through 2017, then jumped to 21 in 2022 and stayed at 21 in 2023–2024.
  • Psychologists: Started at 10 in 2012 and rose steadily to 12 by 2018, 14 by 2020, and 17 by 2023. This is a fairly significant increase (almost a 70% increase in headcount from 10 to 17).
  • ParaProfessionals: These were at 0 from 2012–2021 but jump to 3 in 2022 and remain at 3 in 2023–2024.

The biggest standout in staffing is the increase in psychologists (from 10 to 17) and adding new ParaProfessional positions in 2022.

While exact inflation rates vary by source and year, the rough average annual inflation in the U.S. from 2012 to 2024 often falls in the 2–3% range per year (cumulatively about 25–35% over the entire period, depending on the specific index and timeframe). Comparing the salary lines:

  • Administrative Average Salary:
    • 2012: $132,245
    • 2024: $175,761
    • This is about a 33% increase over 12 years, or roughly 2.4% compounded annually—close to or slightly above many estimates for inflation over the same period.
  • Counselors Average Salary:
    • 2012: $71,255
    • 2024: $102,562
    • This is about a 44% total increase (a bit above the total inflation estimate).
  • Psychologist Average Salary:
    • 2012: $76,213
    • 2024: $100,757
    • About a 32% total increase, also broadly in line with inflation (slightly above or near it).

So in most cases, average salaries are tracking at or somewhat above “standard” inflation. In other words, they’re not massively outpacing typical cost-of-living indices, nor are they lagging drastically behind.

Purchased Services

Summer Help

  • Fluctuates widely, from $39,314 (2012) to $30,231 (2024).
    • Declines may indicate cost-cutting in seasonal support.

Testing and College Planning

  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):
    • Steady allocation ($8,115–$13,132), peaking in recent years.
  • College Planning Programs:
    • Moderate spending, fluctuating year to year, with a small increase in 2024.
Supplies & Materials

Instructional Materials

  • Supplies spending fluctuates:
    • 2012: $4,673 → 2024: $6,000 (28.3% increase).
    • Spending grows at a slower pace than inflation, reflecting cost constraints.

Technology Software

  • Steady increase:
    • 2012: $13,690 → 2024: $32,191 (135% increase).
    • This reflects the growing role of digital tools in counseling services.

1500 HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION : 37.65% Increase

1500 Health & Physical Education sees stable (though slightly decreased) teacher FTEs over time, higher average salaries generally keeping pace with or slightly exceeding inflation, and varied purchased services/supplies reflecting changes in programming (e.g., aquatics, seminars, field trips) and periodic spikes in materials spending. The data suggest a typical school budget scenario with routine annual raises, occasional dips due to staffing changes, and cyclical purchasing for curriculum and equipment.

Positions

Administrative (FTE)

  • Consistently 0.8 FTE from 2012 through 2024.
    • This suggests a part-time administrator or shared administrative position assigned to the Health & PE program.

Teachers (FTE)

  • The teacher count gradually decreases from 23 down to ~21, indicating slight staffing reductions or schedule adjustments in mid-decade. The fractional 21.2 indicates partial positions or small FTE increases
  • This likely corresponds with the closing of Eastbury elementary.
Salaries

Administrative Salaries

  • Total goes from $105,796 in 2012 up to $140,609 by 2024 (with some fluctuations).
    • Notably, it dips in 2020 to $115,854 (down from $127,354 in 2019) but then rises again in 2021 ($132,499) through 2024.
  • Administrative Average Salary starts at $132,245 in 2012 and climbs to $175,761 by 2024.
    • Overall, this is a roughly 33% increase (similar to or slightly above standard inflation over that span).

Why the dip in 2020?
This could reflect a staffing change, new hire, or reallocation of part of the administrative FTE. Sometimes when a senior administrator retires (and is replaced by a more junior one), the total cost dips temporarily.

Teachers’ Salaries

  • Total grows from $1.67M in 2012 to $2.25M in 2024.
    • The line occasionally fluctuates (e.g., slight dip in 2015–2017, then overall trending upward).
  • Teacher Average Salary: $72,607 in 2012 up to $105,975 in 2024.
    • That is about a 46% increase over 12 years, suggesting an average annual increase of around 3%–3.5%, which is somewhat above long-term inflation estimates.

Despite the teacher FTE decreasing slightly (from 23 down to 21.2), the total salaries still rise—meaning average salaries have climbed enough (and/or other step-and-lane pay increases) to offset the reduced headcount.

Purchased Services

These budget lines generally cover contracted or one-time service costs, often external to direct salary/benefits.

  1. Lifeguard
    • Varies year to year, from $2,250 in 2012 up to $6,217 by 2024.
    • Fluctuations (e.g., $3,720 in 2014 vs. $1,000 in 2017) could reflect different program offerings, aquatics usage, or contractual changes.
  1. Field Trips
    • Small amounts, sometimes zero.
    • Notable: $132 in 2012, $1,089 in 2014, $0 for 2017–2022, and then $700 in 2023 & 2024.
    • This suggests that field trip funding for Health/PE is sporadic and might depend on one-off events or reinstated activities.
  2. Human Growth Seminar
    • Rises from $1,770 in 2012 to roughly $4,150 by 2023–2024.
    • Notable jump in 2017 ($4,335).
    • Reflects the cost of hosting a seminar or educational program typically related to health curriculum.
  1. Resource Speakers
    • From $420 in 2012 to $1,050 in 2017, then drops to $0 in 2020–2022, and reappears at $100 in 2023–2024.
    • Likely covers guest lecturers or special presenters; fluctuations indicate shifting usage.
  1. Printing
    • Mostly $0 in earlier years. Small amounts starting in 2021 ($67), $411 in 2022, $500 in 2023–2024.
    • Possibly new or reinstated printing needs (curriculum packets, new course materials, etc.).
Supplies / Material
  1. Instructional Materials
    • Swings significantly from year to year.
    • These shifts often reflect large one-time purchases (e.g., new curriculum, textbooks, equipment replacements) vs. routine supply replenishment.
  1. Technology Software
    • Generally modest amounts with occasional spikes (e.g., $864 in 2012, $1,400 in 2014, $1,715 in 2020).
    • Indicates digital tools, specialized fitness/health software, or subscription renewals.
Dues and Fees
  • Rises from $417 in 2012 to $4,000 by 2023–2024, though it fluctuates year to year.
  • Can include professional organization memberships, conference fees, accreditation costs, or competition fees for Health & PE departments.

1600 HEALTH SERVICES : 66.87% Increase

1600 Health Services sees stable nurse staffing until 2021, then a jump in both total FTEs and salaries. Part-time nursing or paraprofessional lines climb significantly, indicating a greater reliance on supplemental staffing. Expenditures on supplies show occasional spikes (likely tied to one-time purchases or health emergencies). Overall, the budget demonstrates a clear increase in health services investment—mirroring broader trends in school health and safety, especially post-2020.

Positions

Nurses

  • The number of nurses remained stable at 12.7 from 2012 through 2020.
  • In 2021, a jump from 12.7 to 14.8 suggests the addition of ~2.1 full-time nurse positions.
  • Small shifts from 14.8 to 14.5 in 2022/2023, then up to 15 in 2024, could reflect refined staffing needs or reorganization.
Salaries

Total Nurses’ Salaries

  • Rises from $660k in 2012 to nearly $975k by 2024.
  • Notable jump in 2021 from $703k to $850k (due partly to going from 12.7 to 14.8 nurses).
  • Another increase from 2022 to 2024, but at a slower pace (rising in line with either modest pay raises or additional fraction of FTEs).

Nurse Average Salary

  • Overall increase of around 25% from 2012 to 2024, which is in the ballpark of (or slightly above) inflation over this period.
  • The biggest jump in average salary is between 2021 ($57,418) and 2022 ($61,717), which might reflect negotiated pay increases or hiring more experienced nurses at higher pay grades.

Summer Help

  • Budgeted amounts vary widely, from $8k–$10k in several years, sometimes dropping to $0 (2017, 2020, 2022). We know that 2020 was due to Covid-19.
  • Large jump in 2023/2024 ($10,000).
    • Could signal changes in how summer coverage or special programs are handled.

ParaProfessional

  • Fluctuates from about $9k–$12k (2012–2020) before a more significant jump in 2021–2024:
  • Sharp increase in 2021 to $30,883 is actually labeled under “ParaProfessional” in the table, but if you look closely, it seems the table might actually show that $30,883 is under “Nurses P-T” or combined with a different line (the table’s columns can be a bit confusing). Regardless, the line for paraprofessional or related staff has grown significantly compared to early years.

Part Time Nurses

  • For many years, appears as $17k–$19k, with a drop to $9,180 in 2018, then $19k again in 2019.
  • From 2021 onward, a big jump:
  • This is quite a substantial rise—suggesting either a new classification for certain nursing staff or a significant expansion of part-time nurse roles.
Purchased Services

Medical Advisor

This increased from $1000 to $2000 overall, which is a large percent increase but a small overall increase.

Liability Insurance

  • Grows very slowly from $679 in 2012 to $1,034 in 2024.
  • This is a fairly modest budget line, but it has increased by roughly 50% over the 12-year span.
Supplies / Materials

Supplies

Publications

  • Very small amounts, sometimes $0, or in the tens/hundreds of dollars.
  • Suggests occasional purchases of professional journals, reference guides, or training materials.
Other

Travel

  • Nominal, ranging from $0 to a few hundred dollars—peaking at $901 in 2015, $1,092 in 2016, then often $0 or $200–$900 in later years.
  • Reflects small outlays for mileage reimbursement, conferences, or training travel.

1900 LIBRARY MEDIA : 17.23% Increase

The 1900 Library Media budget demonstrates efforts to modernize through increased spending on technology software and maintaining consistent staffing levels, particularly paraprofessionals. However, salary increases have not kept pace with inflation, which could lead to challenges in attracting and retaining skilled staff. Instructional materials and summer program spending have shown variability, suggesting adaptability in response to specific needs or constraints.

  • Media Specialists:
    • The number of media specialists fluctuated between 7 and 10 over the years. It decreased to 7 in 2020 and 2021, possibly due to budget cuts or staff reallocations. The number returned to 9 by 2023, suggesting a focus on restoring previous levels.
  • ParaProfessionals:
    • The number of paraprofessionals has remained stable at 11 throughout the years, indicating consistent support staffing despite changes in other areas.
Salaries:
  • Media Specialists:
    • The total salary for media specialists increased from $829,229 in 2012 to $995,830 in 2024, a growth of 20% over 12 years.
    • The average salary per media specialist rose from $92,137 in 2012 to $110,648 in 2024, representing a 20% increase, which is slightly below the inflation rate of 46.47% over this time frame.
  • ParaProfessionals:
    • Total salaries for paraprofessionals showed some fluctuations, rising from $317,444 in 2012 to $348,731 in 2024 (+9.8%).
    • The average salary per paraprofessional rose from $28,859 in 2012 to $31,703 in 2024, representing an increase of 9.9%, well below inflation. This could suggest stagnant wage growth compared to cost-of-living adjustments.
Supplies and Materials:
  • Instructional Materials:
    • Fluctuated widely, with significant peaks in 2016 ($92,460) and reductions in other years (e.g., $25,794 in 2018). This could reflect periodic bulk purchases or shifting priorities.
    • By 2024, instructional material spending stabilized at $65,000, closer to the mid-range of historical spending.
  • Technology Software:
    • Increased over time, starting at $23,250 in 2012 and reaching $39,500 in 2023 and 2024 (+70% growth). This significant rise aligns with increasing reliance on technology in education and library media.
Other Expenditures:
  • Summer, Certified/Classified:
    • This category saw fluctuating spending, with notable increases in recent years:
      • $5,635 in 2023 and $6,217 in 2024, compared to $1,000–$3,000 in earlier years. This likely reflects additional summer programs or expanded services.
  • Dues and Fees:
    • Remained stable at $660 until 2023, when it rose to $1,000, suggesting a shift in professional memberships or fee structures.

2000 MUSIC : 59.49% Increase

Overall, the 2000 MUSIC budget shows a stable staffing structure with a gradual rise in salaries—common in school budgets over a decade-plus span. Some line items (Instructional Materials, Equipment) exhibit large year-to-year swings, which typically reflect cyclical spending on instruments, software, or major program enhancements. The standout single-year expense is the sizable 2017 replacement-equipment purchase ($161k). Meanwhile, moderate but consistent increases in technology-related lines underscore the growing digital component in music education. All told, the data indicate a well-established, gradually expanding music program with periodic spikes for capital and instructional upgrades.

  • Administrative Positions:
    • The number of administrative positions has remained consistent at 0.8 over the years, suggesting stability in leadership roles.
  • Teachers:
    • Teacher positions fluctuated slightly between 17 and 17.7, with a peak of 17.7 in 2022. This reflects minor adjustments likely tied to program needs or budget constraints.
Salaries
  • Administrative Salaries:
    • Increased from $105,796 in 2012 to $140,609 in 2024 (+33%). The average salary per administrator grew from $132,245 to $175,761, representing a 32.8% increase, which is below the inflation rate of 46.47% over this period.
  • Teacher Salaries:
    • Increased from $1,243,091 in 2012 to $1,845,854 in 2024 (+48.4%). The average salary per teacher grew from $71,855 to $105,477, a 46.8% increase, closely matching inflation. This suggests teacher pay has kept pace with cost-of-living adjustments.
Purchased Services
  • Field Trips:
    • Fluctuated significantly, with low spending in 2020 (pandemic-related), reaching $3,600 in 2023 and 2024, indicating a recovery to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Guest Conductors and Art in Residence:
    • These categories show variability, with higher expenditures in earlier years (e.g., $2,800 for Guest Conductors in 2023) and reductions in some years. The absence of spending in certain years could reflect shifting program priorities or funding cuts.
Supplies and Materials
  • Instructional Materials:
    • Spending peaked in 2016 at $26,708, followed by fluctuations, stabilizing at $20,475 in 2023 and 2024. This suggests periodic bulk purchases rather than consistent year-to-year spending.
  • Technology Software:
    • Minimal spending until 2016, with notable peaks like $4,662 in 2020, reflecting targeted investments likely related to digital or remote learning.
Equipment
  • New Equipment:
    • Spending on new equipment was inconsistent, with significant expenditures in 2023 ($14,914) and reductions in some years (e.g., $0 in 2016–2021).
  • Replacement Equipment:
    • Replacement equipment spending peaked in 2017 at $161,574, likely indicating a major overhaul or replacement cycle. Spending returned to more typical levels in later years (e.g., $16,194 in 2024)

2100 OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE : 73.72% Increase

2200 UTILITIES : 2.21% Decrease

2300 PROGRAM & STAFF DEVELOPMENT : 34.37% Increase

2400 TRANSPORTATION : 42.81% Increase

2700 SPECIAL EDUCATION : 73.04% Increase

2800 ATHLETICS & CLUBS : 56.76% Increase

3000 AGRISCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY : 101.90% Increase

3100 ELEMENTARY EDUCATION : 2.39% Increase

3200 SECONDARY EDUCATION : 11.91% Increase

3300 SYSTEMWIDE SUPPORT : 117.80% Increase

3400 FRINGE BENEFITS & SUBSTITUTES : 42.83% Increase

3600 TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES : 99.77% Increase