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Catalina Foothills’ FY 2003 classroom dollar percentage of 61.4
was almost 3 percentage points above the state average and 2.5 percentage points
above the comparable districts’ average. The District spent 10.2 percent of its
current dollars on administration, very near the state average of 9.9 percent.
However, its per-pupil costs were 16 percent higher than the comparison
districts’ average, primarily because the District employed more assistant
principals and had longer-tenured staff who earned higher salaries. The
District’s food service program was self-supporting because its contract with
the food service vendor guarantees a profit, and volunteer organizations provide
food service for the elementary schools at minimal cost to the District.
Catalina Foothills’ transportation costs were 26 percent higher than similar
districts’, primarily because of its bus leasing costs. These costs are high
because the District will only lease buses that are no more than 5 years old. In
contrast, buses owned by the comparable districts were, on average, about 10
years old. The District’s per-square foot plant costs were 17 percent lower than
the comparable districts’ average. Low salary and telephone costs helped to keep
the District’s plant costs low. The District has also taken steps to decrease
electricity and water usage and continues to look for ways to further decrease
its plant-related costs. The District spent its FY 2003 Proposition 301 monies
according to statute, but did not have a plan that spelled out how it would
spend its base pay and menu option monies.
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