Dearest reader,
Yesterday, we followed the dollars at Gaylord Community Schools.
Now, let's follow the people.
From 2014–15 to 2024–25:
• Pupil count fell 11.34%
• Teacher FTE remained essentially flat, increasing just 0.17%
• Instructional aide FTE increased 40.97%
• Guidance FTE increased 139.22%
• School support FTE increased 55.27%
• Other support FTE increased 9.42%
Then I pulled the separate NCES staffing data.
While enrollment declined 11.34%, total staff increased 14.96%.
And administration?
Total administrator FTE increased from 15.70 to 20.00 - up 27.39%.
But the more interesting piece is where that growth occurred.
School administrator FTE increased only slightly, from 10.70 to 11.00.
LEA/district-level administrator FTE went from 5.00 to 9.00.
That is an 80% increase.
None of these numbers, standing alone, tell us whether a position was needed or unnecessary. Districts change. Student needs change. Programs change.
But they do show us how the organization changed.
Gaylord is serving 349 fewer pupils than it was a decade ago.
It has essentially the same teacher FTE.
And according to NCES, it has 44.07 more total staff FTE and 4.30 more administrator FTE.
That is exactly why Lady Budgetdown looks beyond the total budget.
Because sometimes the more interesting question isn't simply, "How much are you spending?"
It is:
"What changed, and where did the people go?"
With receipts and respect. 👑
Sources: MDE REP staffing data, MDE Bulletin 1014 pupil count, and NCES CCD staffing data.
#LadyBudgetdown #GaylordCommunitySchools #GaylordSchools #MichiganSchools #SchoolStaffing #SchoolAdministration #SchoolFinance #EducationFunding #SchoolTransparency #PublicEducation #WithReceiptsAndRespect