LRSD Academic Distress Prompts Fiscal Scrutiny

February 27, 2015

While some adults continue to put their self interests above students’ best interests in regard to the Little Rock School District, other adults are focused on correcting the district’s course, both academically and fiscally.

Here are some fast facts concerning the district’s finances, based on 2012-13 data. Each fact begins with how the district ranks compared to its Arkansas counterparts.

The closest district in enrollment to LRSD (23,594) is Springdale (20,141). One could reasonably deduce that a district with 15% less enrollment should be essentially 15% less in other revenue and expense categories as well. However, as you will see, LRSD’s incoming and outgoing dollars rarely, if ever, track with enrollment.

For bright line areas for reductions (e.g. administration) and increases (e.g. student instruction), see any percentage that exceeds -15%.

District

11th – Per Pupil Total Expenditure: $16,009; Springdale: $11,070 (-31%)
146th – 63% Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL); Springdale: 67% (+6%)
213th – Area Square Miles: 97; Springdale: 184 (+90%)

Enrollment

1st – Total Enrollment (23,594); Springdale: 20,141 (-15%)
1st – Average Daily Attendance (21,997); Springdale: 18,854 (-14%)
177th – Average Daily Attendance Percent Change Over Five Years (-7%); Springdale: +20% (+400%)

Revenue

1st – Total Revenue and Other Sources of Funds from All Sources ($350,457,071); Springdale: $222,342,653 (-37%)
7th – Total Mills (46.4); Springdale: 40.5 (-13%)
1st – Assessment ($3,251,822,422); Springdale: $1,463,189,099 (-55%)
1st – Property Tax Receipts ($146,682,170 including URT – Uniform Rate of Taxation); Springdale: $58,081,443 (-60%)
1st – Total Unrestricted Revenue from State and Local Sources ($220,644,122); Springdale: $154,554,765 (-30%)
1st – Total Restricted Revenue from State Sources ($85,833,516); Springdale: $25,342,342 (-70%)
1st – Total Restricted Revenue from Federal Sources ($42,036,168); Springdale: $19,955,047 (-53%)
1st – Private Donations ($1,956,892); Springdale: $477,262 (-76%)

Expenses

1st – Total Expenditures ($352,150,173); Springdale $208,726,529 (-41%)
1st – Total Debt ($199,550,083); Springdale: $167,975,456 (-16%)
1st – Magnet Programs ($52,454,227); Springdale: $0
4th – English Language Learner (ELL) ($696,315); Springdale: $2,633,980 (+278%)
1st – National School Lunch Act (NSLA) State Funding for Free and Reduced Lunch Enrollment ($17,606,452); Springdale: $6,822,508 (-61%)
1st – Transportation ($18,181,224); Springdale $5,952,718 (-67%)

Salaries

67th – Base Teacher Pay (BA, 0 Years): $36,616; Springdale: $44,570 (+22%)
9th – Base Teacher Pay (Top of Schedule): $65,490; Springdale: $73,070 (+12%)
4th – Average Teacher Pay: $54,441; Springdale: $56,836 (+4%)
1st – Total Fulltime Equivalent Employees (FTE) (2,088.70); Springdale 1,367.83 (-35%)
1st – Total Salary ($119,805,427); Springdale $81,337,849 (-32%)
4th – Average Salary ($57,359); Springdale $59,465 (+3%)

Administration/Instruction