Dearest reader,
The Baldwin Community Schools ledger is open.
I started where I always start: ten years apart, same district, same MDE Bulletin 1014 methodology, and the numbers before the narrative.
From 2014-15 to 2024-25, Baldwin's pupil count fell from 540 to 427.68, a decline of 20.8%.
Now follow the dollars.
Per pupil, after adjusting for inflation:
• All Sources Revenue: DOWN 23.59%
• Total Instruction: UP 12.83%
• Instructional Support: UP 203.76%
• Business & Administration: UP 62.03%
• Operations & Maintenance: UP 95.12%
And then there is the number that made me stop.
Average teacher salary went from $58,876 in 2014-15 to $51,430 in 2024-25.
Not after inflation.
Actually down.
That is a $7,446 nominal decrease. Adjusted for inflation, the decline is approximately 35.69%.
So now I have questions.
Enrollment fell. Several spending categories per pupil climbed substantially above inflation. Yet the average teacher salary moved in the opposite direction.
Where did the staffing change?
That is where I am headed next.
The ledger is open. 📖
Sources:
Michigan Department of Education, Bulletin 1014, 2014-15
Michigan Department of Education, Bulletin 1014, 2024-25
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (inflation adjustment)
#LadyBudgetdown #BaldwinCommunitySchools #MichiganSchools #SchoolFinance #PublicEducation #EducationSpending #FollowTheMoney #PublicRecords #WithReceiptsAndRespect