“For decades, Roosevelt Elementary School District has served as south Phoenix’s economic engine.
In a low-income, minority community, it provided scarce and coveted neighborhood jobs to teachers and principals, as well as custodians, cooks, teaching assistants and secretaries.
Over the years, however, its role as provider has led to overspending and patronage, accompanied by sloppy bookkeeping and poor projections of available cash, state and district officials say. Conflicts arose often between Blacks, once a majority in the area, and Latinos, whose numbers are growing.”
“Roosevelt doesn’t lack for money. It spent $7,620 per student to operate its schools in the 2004-05 school year, an annual state funding report showed. That is $1,315 more than the Maricopa County district average and $1,064 more than the state average.
It has benefited from federal and state grants, rising property values and a jump in the property taxes it levies.
But the district hasn’t been able to buy student achievement. More than half of its 12,939 kids have not mastered grade-level reading and math skills on national and state tests. If its underperforming schools don’t improve within two years, they will be taken over by the state.
Over the past few years, the district has used up reserves, lost grant money and lost control of its budget. Its bond rating slipped, and an independent audit of the 2003-04 budget reported weaknesses in internal controls and instances of not complying with laws and regulations.” (more…)
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So before taking the convenient path of blaming the federal government, take a closer look at how money is being spent at the LOCAL level.
This story is being played out all over the country especially in mostly black/hispanic communities.
True, but I still would like to see a break down in the spending per pupil number, meaning % to the classroom, % on administration, % on maintaining the schools, % on “special education”, etc.