Dearest reader... Lady Budgetdown took the carriage a little north today.
Teachers, paraprofessionals and other employees around Metro Detroit have been negotiating new contracts, so your Lady was asked the same simple question:
Can this district afford an increase?
For STCS, the ledger shows a $13.37 million General Fund balance at the end of 2024–25, about 21.6% of expenditures. The next two budgets project balances of roughly $12.79 million and $12.72 million.
But there is another receipt worth noting.
A reader shared that during the wage reopener, teachers were told the proposed 1% increase was necessary because money needed to go toward building repairs and maintenance.
Yet the 2026–27 budget reduces Building Operations from $8.56 million to $6.34 million, a 25.9% decrease.
Meanwhile, over ten years, student count declined 6.7%, while teacher FTE increased 1.8%, central administration increased 16.7%, and school administration increased 10.5%.
Your Lady isn't here to decide what anyone should be paid.
I simply opened the ledger.
Can STCS afford an increase?
Dearest reader, you decide. 🪶📖
With receipts and respect,
Lady Budgetdown
#LadyBudgetdown #STCS #SchoolFinance #Teachers #Paraprofessionals #Transparency #Accountability #TheReceipts