MONROE - Six out of nine area school districts spent more per student than the state average in the 2009-10 school year, according to a recent study released by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WTA).
Albany, Black Hawk, Darlington, Juda, Monticello and New Glarus spend more to educate each student than the state average of $10,486 per pupil.
Monroe spends $10,125 per student, slightly less than the state average.
District business manager Ron Olson said he was pleased to see the district in line with the state average. Olson said the district has been able to keep spending under control and still maintain quality education for students in the district.
"It shows that we're getting good value for our dollars," Olson said. "It's good news for our district."
The amount the WTA calculated is based on expenditures per student without debt and transportation. The amount per student is 5.1 percent higher than in the 2008-09 school year.
A breakdown in the total amount spent per student showed that instruction was the largest budget items at $7,255. Of that amount, $6,066 was for salaries and benefits. The next two largest spending areas were buildings and grounds, $1,158 per student; and administration, $913 per student.
Area school districts spending above the state average were:
• Albany, $11,146
• Black Hawk, $13,090
• Darlington, $10,585
• Juda, $10,842
• Monticello, $10,633
• New Glarus, $10,681
Black Hawk School District spent the more per student, $13,090, than other districts in the area. Superintendent Charles McNulty said the cost per student in rural schools is higher because the districts are smaller.
"We still have to maintain our academic programs," he said.
Black Hawk also has two facilities to maintain, which increases the amount of money spent per student, he added. The district has schools in South Wayne and Gratiot.
Albany superintendent Steve Guenther said the amount of money spent per student can be deceiving.
"With a smaller number of students enrolled in a district, it can look like smaller districts are spending a lot more per student than the state average," he said.
He said the district also passed a $2 million referendum in the 2009-10 school year, and the referendum amount was included in the amount of money spent per student.
Two other area districts, Brodhead and Argyle, spend less than the state average per pupil. Argyle spent $10,290 per student. Brodhead spends the lowest amount, $9,379, per student.
Brodhead superintendent Charles Deery, said Brodhead spent less because of a reduction in staff. The district has made cuts in the agriculture program, the middle school math program and enrollment, Deery said.
Despite the reduction, Deery said Brodhead test scores have remained high. He said the district has continued to do more with less.
"I think the people in Brodhead are getting a great bang for their buck," Deery said.
Albany, Black Hawk, Darlington, Juda, Monticello and New Glarus spend more to educate each student than the state average of $10,486 per pupil.
Monroe spends $10,125 per student, slightly less than the state average.
District business manager Ron Olson said he was pleased to see the district in line with the state average. Olson said the district has been able to keep spending under control and still maintain quality education for students in the district.
"It shows that we're getting good value for our dollars," Olson said. "It's good news for our district."
The amount the WTA calculated is based on expenditures per student without debt and transportation. The amount per student is 5.1 percent higher than in the 2008-09 school year.
A breakdown in the total amount spent per student showed that instruction was the largest budget items at $7,255. Of that amount, $6,066 was for salaries and benefits. The next two largest spending areas were buildings and grounds, $1,158 per student; and administration, $913 per student.
Area school districts spending above the state average were:
• Albany, $11,146
• Black Hawk, $13,090
• Darlington, $10,585
• Juda, $10,842
• Monticello, $10,633
• New Glarus, $10,681
Black Hawk School District spent the more per student, $13,090, than other districts in the area. Superintendent Charles McNulty said the cost per student in rural schools is higher because the districts are smaller.
"We still have to maintain our academic programs," he said.
Black Hawk also has two facilities to maintain, which increases the amount of money spent per student, he added. The district has schools in South Wayne and Gratiot.
Albany superintendent Steve Guenther said the amount of money spent per student can be deceiving.
"With a smaller number of students enrolled in a district, it can look like smaller districts are spending a lot more per student than the state average," he said.
He said the district also passed a $2 million referendum in the 2009-10 school year, and the referendum amount was included in the amount of money spent per student.
Two other area districts, Brodhead and Argyle, spend less than the state average per pupil. Argyle spent $10,290 per student. Brodhead spends the lowest amount, $9,379, per student.
Brodhead superintendent Charles Deery, said Brodhead spent less because of a reduction in staff. The district has made cuts in the agriculture program, the middle school math program and enrollment, Deery said.
Despite the reduction, Deery said Brodhead test scores have remained high. He said the district has continued to do more with less.
"I think the people in Brodhead are getting a great bang for their buck," Deery said.