It’s Not About the Money. It’s About the Kids – Page 5

Taxpayers are always concerned about the costs of education. They may actually think that fewer students and smaller schools will be favorable to the tax rate. Unfortunately, the reverse is true.

There is a direct correlation between the ratio of teachers to students and the costs of education.

District High Schools

                           Enrollment          Teacher Ratio          Per Pupil Cost

Barrington HS         1,116                 14 : 1                   $14,838

Middletown HS          633                 10 : 1                   $18,111

N Kingstown HS     1,383                 14 : 1                   $16,473

Portsmouth HS           902                 12 : 1                   $16,511

Consider the comparative data of four of the schools in this study.

The student-to-teacher ratio for the larger schools – Barrington (1,116 students) and North Kingstown (1,383 students) -  is higher, which means that each teacher provides instruction for more students, reducing the overall costs per student.

On the other hand, the student-to-teacher ratio in smaller schools – Portsmouth (902 students) and Middletown (633 students) – is lower, which means that each teacher provides instruction for fewer students, increasing the overall costs per student.

That might seem like a good thing, until one examines the actual impact.

While there is variation between the enrollment of the schools (student-to-teacher ratio) in North Kingstown and Portsmouth, the most financially efficient school – Barrington with 1,116 students -  provides one teacher for every 14 students at a per pupil cost of $14,838.

On the other hand, the smallest school - Middletown with 633 students - provides one teacher for every 10 students at a per pupil cost of $18,111.

Clearly smaller schools are more expensive to the taxpayer.