Dearest reader,

The ledger has arrived in Midland. 🪶

Midland Public Schools is next under the 10-year lens, comparing 2014–15 with 2024–25 using MDE Bulletin 1014.

And there are already a few numbers worth circling.

📉 Student count fell from 7,741.00 to 7,408.03 — a decrease of 4.30%.

💰 All Sources Revenue per pupil increased 44.67%. After adjusting for inflation, that becomes 6.50%.

🏫 Total Instruction per pupil increased 28.71% — but after inflation, purchasing power actually declined 5.24%.

📚 Instructional Support increased 92.49%, or 41.72% after inflation.

📋 Business & Administration increased 67.33%, or 23.19% after inflation.

🔧 Operations & Maintenance increased 35.01% — essentially flat after inflation at -0.61%.

And then there is teacher pay.

🍎 Average Teacher Salary:
2014–15: $72,486
2024–25: $67,091

That is a nominal decrease of 7.44%.

After inflation?

A 31.86% decline in purchasing power.

Ten years of numbers.

Same source.
Same methodology.
Same ledger.

And Midland is only getting started. 🪶

With receipts and respect,
Lady Budgetdown

#LadyBudgetdown #MidlandPublicSchools #MidlandMichigan #MichiganSchools #SchoolFinance #EducationFunding #TeacherPay #TaxpayerDollars #FollowTheMoney