In the realm of K-12 education, a crisis is unfolding before our eyes. The latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) numbers, in line with the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) report from last year, reveal a distressing decline in academic performance. Sadly, this decline translates to the deprivation of an entire generation of children from the quality education they desperately need to succeed. Immediate action is required to rectify this dire situation.<\/p>\n
Attentive observers of school board meetings have likely heard the recurring explanation for this educational decline: “lack of funding from the state.” However, a closer examination of per-student revenue growth, based on data provided by the California Department of Education (CDE), paints a different picture. Over the past decade, per-student revenue has actually increased at a rate almost three times faster than inflation, reaching an impressive 8.44 percent per year. In San Diego Unified, growth has matched this pace, with per-student revenue rising from $9,973\/student in 2013 to $20,107 in 2022, an increase almost three times that of inflation.<\/p>\n
One would expect private businesses experiencing such significant revenue growth to celebrate and reinvest in their operations. Yet, the education industry seems to be an exception, as we witness a distressing decline in the quality of education instead of improvement, despite the substantial financial resources available.<\/p>\n
The latest state reporting from SDUSD paints a worrisome picture: only 53 percent of students meet English standards, while a meager 41 percent attain the necessary proficiency in math. These figures represent significant declines compared to the last comprehensive data set published in 2019.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, employee compensation at SDUSD tells a different story. According to SDUSD’s own payroll records, obtained through a legal public records request and accessible on the Transparent California website, the median total pay of a full-time certificated employee in 2022 amounted to $102,024. In comparison, the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that private workers with equivalent education in San Diego County earned $87,784.<\/p>\n
These figures do not even account for the additional benefits teachers receive in retirement contributions. Last year, teachers had a staggering 27.8 percent of their pay contributed towards their retirement, a notable 17.6 percent more than their private sector counterparts, who typically receive total retirement contributions averaging 10.2 percent. In tangible terms, this amounts to nearly $18,000 in additional funds per year. To match this take-home pay while also funding their retirement, an individual would need to earn approximately $120,000 per year.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, these generous compensation packages are still deemed insufficient by SDUSD, as the Board recently approved a bonus raise of 15 percent over the next two years. By 2025, private workers would need to earn $138,000 per year just to keep up.<\/p>\n
While it may seem that SDUSD is poised for a financially prosperous future, dark clouds loom ahead. The approval process for the raise necessitates the district’s disclosure of costs and terms. In response to this disclosure, the County Office of Education highlighted the district’s need to make budget reductions of approximately $129 million by fiscal year 2024-25 and an additional $53 million in 2025-26 to maintain fiscal solvency and meet required minimum reserves.<\/p>\n
This disclosure raises crucial questions about the specific impacts these budget cuts will have on instructional and support programs. Unfortunately, SDUSD’s response remains ambiguous, failing to provide concrete details about the necessary cuts.<\/p>\n
One would hope that school boards, entrusted with safeguarding the interests of our children, would voice their concerns and stand up against suchSan Diego Unified’s Neglect of Students: Prioritizing Adults over Education<\/p>\n
A generation of children is being deprived of the quality education they deserve, and the blame lies with San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) and its leadership. The education crisis facing our schools demands urgent attention and a commitment to prioritize the needs of students above all else.<\/p>\n
\nSan Diego Unified Is Putting Adults First, Not Students<\/a><\/h1>\n
Original Article Link: San Diego Unified Is Putting Adults First, Not Students | Voice of San Diego<\/a><\/p>\n
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