Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), it is now required that school districts post information about how much is spent per student at each of its schools.
A summary of the spending by building is as follows:
- Glendaal Elementary: $21,376
- Glen-Worden Elementary: $21,562 (autism program)
- Lincoln Elementary: $22,063 (co-teaching and Title school)
- Sacandaga Elementary: $19,386 (Title school)
- Middle School: $18,946
- High School: $19,412 (various vocational programs in addition to regular ed)
Scotia-Glenville allocates funding to schools by enrollment and student need. Specific programs for children with special needs are spread across the four elementary schools, middle school and high school. Hence, allocations in staff, materials, and support are allocated based on student needs.
This is reflected in the per pupil costs. Lincoln Elementary shows as the highest cost per student. Lincoln is a co-teaching school, meaning there are often two teachers in each room. Any child in the district recommended for a co-taught program attends Lincoln Elementary.
Scotia-Glenville’s second highest per pupil elementary allocation is at Glen-Worden Elementary, where two programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders are housed. In addition, two elementary schools are identified as Title 1 schools, driving additional pupil funds to them to meet student needs. Title 1 dollars are allocated based on a per pupil formula which is implemented at the federal and then state level.
The district has a single middle school (grades 6, 7, and 8) and high school (grades 9, 10, 11, and 12). Therefore, both schools offer a range of programs and services to both non-identified and identified students. Although additional funding flows to those schools, it is spread across a larger number of students, artificially reducing the per pupil cost in both locations.
What is ESSA?
ESSA is focused on educational equity….no matter who you are, where you live, where you came from, or where you go to school…all students will have the supports and instruction they need to be successful.