Dearest reader,

Step 2 & 2A for Birch Run Area Schools is where the ledger gets interesting.

Over the decade, enrollment was essentially flat:

Pupils: 1,813.00 → 1,789.04 (−1.32%)

But staffing moved considerably:

Teachers: +10.2%
Instructional aides: +119.8%
Student support: +64.0%
Other support: +194.2%

And administration?

Total administrators: +22.7%
District/central administration: 3.00 → 6.27 FTE (+109.0%)
Building administration: 7.00 → 6.00 FTE (−14.3%)

Most strikingly, NCES reports total staff rising from 156.45 to 257.17 FTE, an increase of 100.72 FTE, or 64.4%, while the district served about 24 fewer pupils.

That doesn't tell us why Birch Run's staffing structure changed.

But it certainly tells us what question to ask:

If enrollment barely changed, what drove a 64% increase in total staffing and a doubling of central administration?

That receipt belongs in the ledger.

With receipts and respect.

#LadyBudgetdown #BirchRunAreaSchools #BirchRun #SaginawCounty #MichiganSchools #SchoolFinance #Transparency #Accountability #FollowTheMoney #TheLedger