By George Parker | Published Sunday, October 18, 2009
How is the Bridgeport Independent School District spending our tax dollars? It seems that they never seem to have enough money, yet, the quality of education appears to not be increasing with the increase of funds.
The total number of students in 1998 was 1,958, and grew to 2,298 in 2008, an increase of 17.3 percent.
In 1998, the students that passed the TAAS were 82.8 percent. In 2008, those taking the TAKS tests, only 68 percent passed.
In the salary areas, there seems to be major differences between the 1997-1998 and 2007-2008. In 2008 the percentages increased over what they were in 1998. Average central administrator salary increased 15.52 percent. Average campus administrator salary increased 30.32 percent. Average professional support staff salary increased 48.2 percent. Average teacher salary increased 20.01 percent.
The salary increases for teachers was one of the smallest, and it appears that the teachers should have been one of the largest increases.
Another item of interest is the turnover rate for teachers between the two years. In 1998 it was 15.5 percent and in 2008 it was 22.7 percent. Why is the turnover rate higher in 2008?
Several other items of interest are the revenue changes between 1997-1998 and 2007-2008. The taxable value per pupil increased 219.61 percent. Total revenue increased 112.09 percent. Total revenue per pupil increased 85.49 percent.
We should be asking the question, where is all the money going when the education level of the students does not show to be increasing? There are those who always state it is the mandates. After researching many if not all the state mandates, it was shown that the Texas school administrators' and superintendents' associations requested or lobbied the state for all the mandates. In several cases, after the mandates were passed, the same organizations complained about the mandates being too expensive.
My question is whether the school district is operating a financially sound organization. The teachers, I feel, are doing a very admirable job in teaching, and they should be the ones to be paid the most. These bond issues do not help the teachers, nor make the organization a financially sound one.
The bonds that we will be voting on this November may be needed and they may not. One thing to remember: the bonds are just like your bills. They will be paid by an increase in your property taxes.
