1. Summary of Data from the
Administrative Study Task Force
First Presented Dec. 2009
1
2. Task Force Objectives
Given the context of the national economic crisis and the difficulties
Keene faces during this budget cycle that will require addressing fiscal
realities…
• Comprehensively review Keene’s administrative structure and
determine where efficiencies and cost savings may be found.
• Determine the financial benefits of sharing one principal between
two of Keene’s smaller elementary schools. Address the variety of
issues that would accompany such a decision and determine
whether those issues could be managed so that education for
Keene students would not suffer.
• From objectives 1 and 2, present recommendations on how to
move forward.
2
3. Step 1: District by District Comparisons
• The committee looked at how Keene’s district
costs compare to:
– four “like” districts recommended to us by Mark
Joyce Director of the NH School Administrators’
Association (Portsmouth, Exeter/Exeter Regional,
Hampton/Winnacunnet Cooperative, and
Londonderry)
– five additional districts studied after an initial review
of data (Concord, Laconia, Salem, Rochester,
Merrimack)
3
4. Comparative Factors
The committee analyzed these districts across a number of
measures:
• School Level • City Level
– Per pupil spending – Per capita income
– % Free Reduced – Total tax rate
participation
– % SPED rate – Keene only – a quick look
– School performance at the overall tax rate and
– Average school size tax breakdown over time
– A broad array of
administrative costs,
broken out subgroup by
subgroup
4
6. District Enrollments
(As of Oct 2008)
6,000
5,119 5,278
5,004
5,000 4,499 4,631
4,000 3,656
2,994
3,000 2,600
2,251
2,000
1,225 1,273
995
1,000
0
Districts are K-12 unless otherwise noted. These enrollment numbers include
preschool enrollments. Preschool staffing and enrollments are not included in
staffing ratios or per pupil expenditure later in the presentation. 6
7. 2007-2008 Early Exit and Drop Out
Data by District
25.0%
Annual DropOut % 4 Yr Cum. Rate 21.2%
20.0%
15.0%
11.0% 11.1% 11.3%
9.9%
10.0%
6.7%
5.4% 5.5% 5.8%
5.0% 3.2% 3.8%
2.6% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9%
1.0% 1.4% 1.4% 1.7%
0.8%
0.0%
In 2007-2008, Keene’s drop-out rate equated to 52 students. In 2008-2009 (numbers
not yet certified by the DOE), the number of students dropping out without earning a
GED is 20.
7
8. 2008-2009 % Special Education by
District
25%
20%
20%
20%
17% 18%
17% 17%
16% 16%
16%
15%
15%
15%
12%
10%
5%
0%
8
From DOE-25 reports provided by NH DOE
14. Cost of Living Index Comparison
Cost of Living Index (100= U.S. avg)
140
126.8
119.7 119.9 122.4
117 117.4 118.6
120 112.4
100
100 92.2
91.2
80
60
40
20
0
Laconia Keene U.S. Average Rochester Londonderry Merrimack Concord Salem Exeter Hampton Portsmouth
14
15. Keene -Local and State Education Taxes –
% of Total Tax (1999 and 2008)
1999 2008
7.21%
9.53%
Local and State Ed. Local and State Ed.
31.21%
City City
51.71%
County 38.76% County
61.57%
Education is only one piece (51.71%) of the Keene tax burden.
15
16. Keene - % Change in Taxes Raised –
1999 to 2009
16
18. Limits of the Data and Comparisons
• This is a district by district comparison. It does not provide
building level information, or even a breakdown among
elementary*, middle and high school staffing levels. It’s a
big picture, high altitude view.
• It may be helpful to focus more on the direction of the
information and less on any specific number.
• This data can give a broad view of where the Keene School
District is now; any adjustments that may need to be made
will require thoughtful planning.
*Elementary staffing ratios do not include preschool staff or
preschool enrollments. DOE per pupil expenditure data is also
K-12.
18
19. Number of Students Per Employee
This category includes all of the Of the eight K-12
positions reported by school districts, the average
districts on form A12B:
number of Students/
• full-time kindergarten teachers
Employee is 6.2
• regular and special education
classroom teacher Keene averages 5.2
• instructional aides Students/Employee
• principals & assistant principals On the other end of the
• guidance counselors graph: Salem has 1,376
• library specialists and staff more students than
• clerical staff and all other non- Keene, but employs 12
teaching support staff. fewer people overall.
19
20. Number of Students Per Employee
8.0
7.3
7.0 6.8 6.8
6.4 6.5 6.6
6.3 6.3
5.8 5.9 5.9
6.0
5.4
5.2
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
20
21. Average Number of Students
Per Teacher
This category includes all full time Of the eight K-12
equivalent teaching positions districts, the average
reported by school districts on number of Students/
form A12B: Teacher is 12.8
• full-time equivalent preschool
Keene averages 12.0
and kindergarten teachers
Students/Teacher
• regular and special education
classroom teacher
• “specials” teachers, Title I and
ESL teachers are reported as
classroom teachers
21
22. Average Number of Students
Per Teacher
16.0 14.9
14.5
14.0 13.2 13.4 13.6
12.4 12.5 12.8
12.0 12.1
12.0 11.4
10.8
10.4
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
22
23. Average Number of Students Per Aide
(Tutors and Paraprofessionals)
Regular instructional aides SPED aides (tutors and
(paras): paras):
In Keene, Regular instructional SPED aides are tutors or
aides are a subset of paraprofessionals based on
paraprofessionals providing individual student need as
classroom support, including noted in the student’s IEP.
Title I paras.
The average number of The average number of
Students/Regular Aide in the Students/SPED Aide in the
eight K-12 districts is 183.3 eight K-12 districts is 35.5
Keene averages 78.1 Keene averages 23.1
Students/Regular Aide Students/SPED Aide
23
24. Average Number of Students Per
Regular Instructional Aide (Paras)
450.0
406.5
400.0
366.2
350.0
300.0
250.0
193.1
200.0 177.9 183.3
148.3
150.0 137.5
122.2 126.9
115.3
100.0 77.8 78.1
50.0
0.0
0.0
24
25. Average Number of Students
90.0
Per SPED Aide (Tutors and Paras)
82.7
80.0
70.0
60.0
54.5
50.0
41.8 42.2 43.4 43.6
40.0 35.5 35.8 37.1
33.3
30.0 27.4
23.1
20.3
20.0
10.0
0.0
25
26. Average Number of Students Per Aide:
Comparing Keene (K-5) to Exeter (K-5)
Because Keene’s
instructional aide numbers Students Per Regular aide
are spread across the K-12 90.0 77.8
district, a true comparison 80.0
70.0
to Exeter (K-5) cannot be 60.0
made based on the 50.0
36.7
original data. 40.0
30.0
However, we know that 20.0
70% of Regular aides are 10.0
0.0
in Keene’s elementary Keene (K-5) Exeter (K-5)
schools (32.2 positions out
of 45.9 total)
Student SPED aide
We also know that 68.9%
25.0
of SPED aides are at the 20.3
elementary level (106.2 20.0
positions out of 155 total). 15.0 11.1
With this information, we 10.0
can compare Keene (K-5) 5.0
to Exeter (K-5) 0.0
Keene (K-5) Exeter (K-5)
26
27. Students Per Non Instructional
Professional
This category includes Students Per Non
non-teaching education Instructional Professional:
professionals who have not
The average number of
been reported as teachers such
as nurse, resource officer,
Students/Non
curriculum coordinator, OT/ PT Instructional professional
therapist, reading specialist, in the eight K-12 districts
speech pathologist, psychologist is 137.6.
and technology coordinator
Keene averages 78.1
Students/Non
Instructional Professional
27
28. Average Number of Students
Per Non Instructional Professional
350.0
307.7
300.0
250.0
200.0 185.1
166.3
155.5
150.0 136.6 137.6
121.5
106.1
93.9
100.0 76.1 78.1
68.9 75.3
50.0
0.0
28
29. Students Per Clerical Position
This category includes all of the Students Per Clerical Position
clerical support staff in the
The average number of
schools such as clerical workers
in the principals’ or guidance
Students/Clerical
offices. This count does not position in the eight K-
include clerical staff in the 12 districts is 159.5.
superintendents’ office.
Keene averages 116.3
Students/Clerical
position
29
30. Average Number of Students
Per Clerical Position
250.0 236.1
218.5
200.0 191.7
171.4
155.9 159.5
149.4
150.0 142.7
134.4
127.4
110.5 116.3
106.1
100.0
50.0
0.0
30
31. Number of Students Per Support
Positions (Other)
This category includes all Students Per Support
other support positions not Position
already reported on form The average number of
A12B including: Students/Other Support
• social workers, data
processing, maintenance, bus
position in the eight K-
drivers, security and food 12 districts is 58.2.
service workers
Keene averages 53
Students/Other Support
position
31
32. Average Number of Students
Per Support Position
80.0
73.5
69.4
70.0
60.5 61.5
58.2 58.2 59.2 59.4
60.0
53.0 53.8
50.0 45.8
40.0 36.8 37.8
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
32
33. Other Staffing Categories
Keene Average of
eight K-12
districts
Students/ Guidance 188.6 211.6
Students/ Library specialist &Library support 328.7 331.5
Students/Guidance Students/Library:
The average number of The average number of
Students/Guidance in the Students/Library specialist
eight K-12 districts is in the eight K-12 districts is
211.6 331.5
Keene averages 188.6 Keene averages 328.7
students/ Guidance Students/Library specialist
33
34. Average K-12 Students Per Principal
1600.0 1497.0
1400.0
1273.0
1200.0
1000.0
862.5
800.0 718.0 740.3
597.8 616.0 619.9
600.0 486.0 511.9
403.3 438.1 439.4
400.0
200.0
0.0
If Keene used the average number (616), the difference is approximately 1 principal
position.
Note: Hampton (K-8), Exeter (K-5), Winnacunnet and Exeter Regional are not K-12
districts and are not directly comparable to Keene in this category.
34
36. 2007-2008 High School Cost Per Pupil
$14,000 $13,058 $13,114
$12,220
$11,880
$12,000
$10,438 $10,481 $10,772 $10,877
$9,795
$10,000 $9,400
$8,308
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
Salem Rochester Concord Keene Londonderry Laconia State Exeter Merrimack Portsmouth Winnacunnet
Average Regional Cooperative
Cooperative (9-12 only)
(6-12 only)
In 2007-2008 (the most recent year for which per pupil spending data is available), Keene’s
average per pupil spending at the high school level was $439 less than the State Average.
When multiplied by Keene’s 2007-2008 high school population of 1880 high school students,
Keene spent approximately $825,320 less than Keene would have spent using the average
per pupil cost.
36
37. Keene High School Per Pupil Costs vs.
State Average Costs Since 2000
Based on
enrollments,
Keene what the
Average Cost State Difference/ HS Difference
Year per HS Pupil Average Per Pupil Enrollment translates to:
2008-2009 $ 11,205 $ 11,573 $ (368) 1784 $ (656,512)
2007-2008 $ 10,438 $ 10,877 $ (439) 1850 $ (811,336)
2006-2007 $ 9,893 $ 9,992 $ (99) 1880 $ (186,759)
2005-2006 $ 9,637 $ 9,431 $ 206 1834 $ 378,079
2004-2005 $ 9,214 $ 8,982 $ 232 1844 $ 426,904
2003-2004 $ 8,360 $ 8,503 $ (143) 1861 $ (265,937)
2002-2003 $ 7,973 $ 8,023 $ (50) 1742 $ (86,281)
2001-2002 $ 7,608 $ 7,502 $ 106 1698 $ 180,531
2000-2001 $ 7,687 $ 7,167 $ 520 1659 $ 862,973
37
2008-2009 Data added 5/2010
38. Graph of the Difference between Keene High School
Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000
$12,000
Keene Cost per High School Pupil State Average
$10,877
$10,438
$9,893 $9,992
$10,000 $9,637
$9,431 $9,214
$8,982 $8,503
$8,360 $8,023
$7,973 $7,687
$8,000
$7,608 $7,502 $7,167
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$-
2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001
38
39. Average Cost of Principals + APs Per
High School Student
Principal+AP Cost/High School Student
$350.00
$314.53
$300.00
$238.57 $246.79
$250.00
$200.00
$145.81
$150.00
$100.00
$50.00
$-
39
40. 2007-2008 Middle School Cost Per Pupil
16,000
14,192
14,000 13,007
12,417
12,000 11,264 11,536
10,640
10,754
9,801
10,000 9,076 9,282
8,000 7,830
6,000
4,000
2,000
-
Salem Rochester Londonderry Concord State Exeter Merrimack Keene Hampton Laconia Portsmouth
Average Regional
Cooperative
In 2007-2008 (the most recent year for which per pupil spending data is available), Keene’s
average per pupil spending at the middle school level was $897 more than the State
Average.
When multiplied by Keene’s 2007-2008 middle school population of 729 middle school
students, Keene spent approximately $653,913 more than Keene would have spent using
the average per pupil cost. 40
41. Keene Middle Per Pupil Costs vs. State
Average Costs Since 2000
Based on
enrollments,
Keene Middle what the
Average Cost State Difference/ School Difference
Year per MS Pupil Average Per Pupil Enrollment translates to:
2008-2009 $ 12,552 $ 11,161 $ 1,391 708 $ 984,828
2007-2008 $ 11,536 $ 10,640 $ 896 729 $ 653,534
2006-2007 $ 11,482 $ 9,821 $ 1,661 728 $ 1,209,288
2005-2006 $ 10,622 $ 9,208 $ 1,414 776 $ 1,097,380
2004-2005 $ 9,792 $ 8,558 $ 1,234 795 $ 981,094
2003-2004 $ 9,397 $ 7,901 $ 1,496 801 $ 1,198,528
2002-2003 $ 8,129 $ 7,144 $ 985 841 $ 828,789
2001-2002 $ 7,455 $ 6,646 $ 809 858 $ 693,916
2000-2001 $ 7,184 $ 6,232 $ 952 873 $ 831,111
41
2008-2009 Data added 5/2010
42. Graph of the Difference between Keene Middle School
Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000
$14,000
Keene Cost per Middle Pupil State Average
$11,536
$12,000 $11,482
$10,640 $10,622
$9,821 $9,792
$10,000 $9,397
$9,208
$8,558
$8,129
$7,901
$8,000 $7,455
$7,144 $7,184
$6,646
$6,232
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$-
2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001
42
43. Average Cost of Principals + APs Per
Middle School Student
Principal+AP Cost/Middle School Student
$400.00
$354.56
$350.00
$300.00
$261.53
$250.00
$200.00
$150.00
$100.00
$50.00
$-
Note: Some schools, such as Londonderry, have additional administrative
positions (e.g. housemaster, dean, Athletic Director) that are not captured here.
43
45. 2007-2008 Elementary Cost Per Pupil
$18,000
$16,000 $15,320
$14,331
$13,005 $13,650
$14,000
$11,507 $11,619 $11,690 $11,706
$12,000 $11,354
$10,401
$9,706
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
In 2007-2008 (the most recent year for which per pupil spending data is available), Keene’s
average per pupil spending at the elementary level was $3,813 more than the State Average.
When multiplied by Keene’s 2007-2008 preK-5 population of 1203 students, Keene spent
approximately $4.58 million more than Keene would have spent using the average per pupil
cost.
45
46. Keene Elementary Per Pupil Costs vs.
State Average Costs Since 2000
Based on
Keene enrollments,
Average Cost K-5 what the
per Elem State Difference/ Elementary Difference
Year Pupil Average Per Pupil Enrollment translates to:
2008-2009 $ 15,133.73 $12,095.86 $3037.87 1187 $3.6 million
2007-2008 $15,320.00 $11,506.00 $3,814.00 1111 $4.2 million
2006-2007 $14,922.00 $10,716.00 $4,206.00 1092 $4.6 million
2005-2006 $14,159.00 $ 10,108.00 $4,051.00 1153 $4.7 million
2004-2005 $12,309.00 $9,406.00 $2,903.00 1185 $3.4 million
2003-2004 $11,843.00 $8,743.00 $3,100.00 1243 $3.8 million
2002-2003 $9,966.00 $7,961.00 $2,005.00 1280 $2.6 million
2001-2002 $9,108.00 $7,321.00 $1,787.00 1336 $2.4 million
2000-2001 $9,229.00 $6,705.00 $2,524.00 1351 $3.4 million
46
2008-2009 Data added 5/2010
47. Graph of the Difference between Keene Elementary
Costs vs. State Average Costs Since 2000
$18,000
Keene Cost per Elem Pupil State Average
$16,000 $15,320
$14,922
$14,159
$14,000
$12,309
$11,843
$12,000 $11,506
$10,716
$10,108 $9,966
$10,000 $9,406 $9,108 $9,229
$8,743
$7,961
$8,000 $7,321
$6,705
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$-
2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001
47
48. Elementary vs. High School Per Pupil Costs
An Analysis of 175 New Hampshire districts
• Of the 175 districts in NH, 65 districts have elementary and high
school per pupil costs to compare.
– 27 out of 65 (42%) spend more at the high school level per pupil than
at the elementary school level per pupil.
• On average, those districts spend $2,018 (median $,1444) more per high
school pupil than per elementary student
– 38 out of 65 (58%) spend more at the elementary level than at the
high school level.
• On average, those districts spend $1407 (median $1,087) more per
elementary pupil than per high school pupil
• Keene spends $4,882 more per elementary pupil than per high school pupil
(out of 38 districts, only Lebanon has a higher figure than this)
48
49. Average Cost of Principals/APs Per Elementary Student
Using the
2008-2009 Principal+AP Cost/Elementary Student
Salary and $450.00
$400.00 $376.03
Benefits $350.00 $321.26
Survey of NH $300.00
$250.00
Association $200.00
of School $150.00
$100.00
Principals, $50.00
we calculated $-
the average
cost of
Principals
and Assistant
Principals per
Elementary
Pupil across Multiplying the average per pupil administration cost
the districts. ($318.81) by Keene’s student population of 1187
elementary students, Keene spends $65,667 more than
the average on elementary principals and assistant
principals. 49
50. Average Elementary Principal Salary by
School Size
Looking at 38 of the 41 elementary principals in the districts the committee studied
(no data available for 3 Rochester schools):
Average 2008-2009 2008-2009
# of schools in Elementary # K-12 Principal
Elementary School Size group Principal Salary School students Salary
150-200 2 $ 82,759 Wheelock Elementary School 250 $ 87,343
201-250 4 $ 84,375 Jonathan M. Daniels School 190 $ 78,174
251-300 3 $ 76,384 Franklin Elementary School 210 $ 92,000
301-350 6 $ 85,234 Fuller Elementary School 283 $ 90,916
350-400 9 $ 86,329 Symonds Elementary School 329 $ 95,661
401-450 4 $ 89,088
451-500 3 $ 98,046
500-550 1 $ 99,156
551-600 2 $ 94,741
601-700 2 $ 85,837
701-800 1 $ 97,786
801-900 1 $ 91,658 50
51. Because understanding administration costs, particularly at the
elementary level, was a key objective of the Task Force, we also spent
considerable time examining:
KEENE’S ENROLLMENT, STAFFING
AND ADMINISTRATION OVER TIME
51
52. Students Per Administrator
Students per Administrator, 1989-2009
Elementary Middle High School
400
350
300
Students
250
200
150
School Years
52
53. Staff Per Administrator
Supervised Staff per Administrator, 1989-2009
Elementary Middle High School
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
Staff
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
School Years
53
54. Elementary Enrollments Since 1989
1800
Elem. Students Per Principal 1600
Students/
1400
Enrollment Principals Principal
1989-1990 1667 5 333 1200
1999-2000 1416 5 283
2008-2009 1260 5 252 1000
Enrollment
800
Students/ Principal
600
400
200
0
1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009
While elementary enrollments have declined by approximately 25%, Keene’s
total elementary administrators have remained constant.
54
55. Elementary Staff Per Principal
350
Elem. Staff Per Principal
Staff/ 300
Total Staff Principals Principal
1989-1990 201.6 5 40 250
1999-2000 233.7 5 47
2008-2009 301.3 5 60
200
Total Staff
150 Staff/ Principal
100
50
0
1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009
However, while elementary enrollments have declined by approximately 25%,
total elementary staff has increased by 50%
Nearly all of these additional staff are supervised by elementary principals
55
56. Middle School Enrollments Since 1989
1000
Middle Students Per Administrator 900
800
Principals + Students/ 700
Enrollment APs Principal+APs
600
1989-1990 805 4 201 Enrollment
1999-2000 861 4 215 500
2008-2009 708 3 236 400 Students/
300 Principal+APs
200
100
0
1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009
While middle school enrollments have declined by approximately 12% since
1989, students per administrator have increased (KMS reduced one
administrator in 2005). However, Keene had the smallest number of students per
assistant principal out of the nine comparison districts that have middle schools.
56
57. Middle School Staff Per Administrator
140
Middle Staff Per Administrator 120
Principals + Staff/ 100
Total Staff APs Principal+APs
1989-1990 95 4 24 80
1999-2000 118.6 4 30 Total Staff
2008-2009 128.2 3 43 60
Staff/ Principal+APs
40
20
0
1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009
While middle school enrollments have declined by approximately 12% since
1989, middle school staff has increased by approximately 35%.
Due to the reduction of an administrator in 2005, staff per administrator has
increased (again, a supervision responsibility increase for administration).
57
58. High School Enrollments Since 1989
2000
HS Students Per Administrator
1800
1600
Principals + Students/
Enrollment APs Principal+APs 1400
1989-1990 1559 6 260 1200
Enrollment
1999-2000 1638 6 273 1000
2008-2009 1819 8 227 800 Students/
600 Principal+APs
400
200
0
1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009
While high school enrollments have increased by approximately 17% since 1989,
students per administrator have decreased due to the addition of administrators,
first in 2000-2001, then again in 2005-2006.
58
59. High School Staff Per Administrator
HS Staff Per Administrator 250
Principals + Staff/ 200
Total Staff APs Principal+APs
1989-1990 179.2 6 30 150
1999-2000 218.3 6 36
Total Staff
2008-2009 230.1 8 29
100 Staff/ Principal+APs
50
0
1989-1990 1999-2000 2008-2009
While high school staff has increased by approximately 28%, due to the addition
of the two administrators, staff per administrator has remained about the same.
59
60. A Closer Look at Keene Elementary
Schools
• Based on Keene’s average elementary per pupil costs
and the staffing analysis, the next step was to take a
closer look at elementary spending. The committee:
– examined average class sizes in Keene and across districts
– compared Keene’s per pupil spending and average school
size to other cities and towns in Keene’s population range
– compared Keene to other cities that are spending similar
amounts per pupil
– prepared case studies of districts that are performing well
and have a lower per pupil cost than Keene
60
61. 2008 Average Elementary Class Size Across Districts
Keene’s average class size in grades 1-2 is comparable to the other districts, but
is lower than any of the comparison districts in grades 3 and up.
61
62. Average Elementary Class Size
– Keene Policy and Current Enrollments (Sept 2009)
• Grades K-3: District Standard is 20:1 (State Standard is max 25, 20
recommended)
– Keene has a total of 199 Kindergarten students in 12 Kindergarten classes, for
an average class size of 16.58*(school averages between 12.5 and 20)
– Keene has a total of 220 1st graders in 12 1st grade classes, for an average class
size of 18.33* (school averages between 15.5 and 21)
– Keene has a total of 206 2nd graders in 12 2nd grade classes, for an average
class size of 17.16* (school averages between 14.5 and 18)
– Keene has a total of 188 3rd graders in 11 3rd grade classes, for an average class
size of 17.09* (school averages between 15.6 and 23)
• Grades 4-5: District Standard is 25:1 (State Standard is max 30, 25
recommended)
– Keene has a total of 212 4th graders in 12 fourth grade classes, for an average
class size of 17.66 * (school averages between 14.33 and 20.33)
– Keene has a total of 147 5th graders in 9 fifth grade classes, for an average
class size of 16.33* (school averages between 12 and 23)
62
63. Keene Average Elementary Class Sizes
Since 2000
Year Keene Average Keene Average Keene Average
Class Size 1-2 Class Size 3-4* Class Size 5-8
2008-2009 18.0 16.2 17.2
2007-2008 17.0 16.6 18.8
2006-2007 16.0 17.2 17.9
2005-2006* 17 18 18
2004-2005 18 19 21
2003-2004 19 18 20
2002-2003 17 19 22
2001-2002 17 19 22
*Note: in 2005-2006, the Keene Board of Education set a guideline reducing class
size maximums to 20 students per class in grades K-5. 63
64. Per Pupil K-5 Spending Comparison with NH
towns of 14,000 to 34,000 population
# of Average Average Cost
2008 K-5 Elementary Students per per Elementary
Town Population Enrollment Schools School Pupil (2008)
Exeter 14058 972 2 486 13,004.77
Hampton 14937 775 2 387.5 13,650.32
Laconia 16411 965 3 321.7 11,690.18
Goffstown 16929 798 2 399 9,793.78
Bedford 18274 2406 4 601.5 10,195.97
Portsmouth 20784 992 3 330.7 14,330.59
Keene 22563 1187 5 237.4 15,320.45
Hudson 22928 1496 4 374 8,205.10
Londonderry 23236 2115 3 705 11,354.31
Merrimack 25119 1535 3 512 10,692.23
Dover 26884 1356 3 452 10,203.20
Salem 28112 1648 6 285 9,706.18
Rochester 28461 1888 8 236 11,706.46
Derry 34021 2343 5 468.6 11,599.10
Averages (not including Keene) 427.6 11240.9
64
65. Chart of the Average School Size Versus the Average
Cost Per K-5 Pupil – Towns of Similar Population
Average Students per School Average Cost per Elementary Pupil (2008)
800 $18,000
700
$15,320 $16,000
705
$14,331 $13,650
$14,000
600 $13,005 602
$11,599
$11,690
$10,692 $11,354 $12,000
500 512
$10,203
$11,706 $9,794 486
452 469 $10,000
400 $10,196
$9,706 399
$8,205
374 $8,000
388
331
300 322
237 285 $6,000
236
200
$4,000
100 $2,000
$-
Rochester Keene Salem LaconiaPortsmouthHudson HamptonGoffstown Dover Derry Exeter Merrimack Bedford
Londonderry
65
66. A Comparison of Keene and Other Districts
with Small Schools/Lower Per Pupil Costs
Keene Rochester Salem
District Elem. Enroll. 1200 2015 1750
Average school size 237 236 285
Per Pupil Spending $15,320 $11,706 $9,706
Students /Teacher 12 12.5 14.5
Students/Employee 5.2 6.4 7.3
Students/Reg. Aide 78.1 115.3 406.5
Students/SPED Aide 23.1 43.6 37.1
Students/Non Instruct. 78.1 75.3 155.5
Professional
Students/Clerical 116.3 171.4 236.1
Students/Other Support 53 73.5 60.5
66
67. A Look at Cities with Similar K-5 Per Pupil Spending
2008
# of Average Average
2008 K-5 Elementary Students Cost per K-5
Town Population Enrollment Schools per School Pupil
Plymouth (K-8) 6,362 426 1 426 15,019.72
Newfound Area (7 towns) 9,878 594 4 148.5 15,080.49
Hanover 10,850 472 1 472 15,223.21
Oyster River Cooperative (Durham) 12,664 728 2 364 15,223.49
Keene 22563 1187 5 237.4 15,320.45
Croydon (Sullivan) 661 25 1 25 15,397.60
Hampton Falls 1,880 276 1 276 15,554.43
Jackson 835 55 1 55 15,584.02
Ashland 1,955 153 1 153 15,685.96
Averages (not including Keene) 5,636 288 240 15,346.12
Based on the eight cities directly above and below Keene in per pupil spending,
Keene is more closely aligned with smaller towns (average population = 5,636) with
smaller schools (average 240 students).
Of 175 NH school districts, in 2008-2009, 22 spent more per pupil at the elementary
level. The average population of these 22 towns is 2,043 and the average school size
is 115 students. 67
68. 2008-2009 Average Elementary Class Size
Comparisons by Size of Town
2008 Average 2008 Average 2008 Average
Class Size Class Size Class Size
Gr. 1-2 Gr. 3-4* Gr. 5-8
Towns with 14,000-34,000 population
18.6 19.9 22.3
(not incl Keene)
Small Towns with similar per pupil
15.8 15.5 16.8
elementary spending (not incl Keene)
Keene 18 16.2 17.2
State Averages 17.5 18.9 20.5
One of the effects of small schools is a lesser ability to be nimble regarding class size.
The fewer classrooms there are per grade, the more difficult it becomes to adjust to
shifting student populations.
Other costs include duplication of administration, support staff, libraries, building
maintenance, snow removal, fuel, electricity, etc. 68
69. Summary of Findings
I. Education in Keene, particularly at the elementary level and to a
lesser degree at the middle school, is more costly than that of
other comparison districts due to a number of expensive choices
the district and community have made.
II. In per pupil spending over the past 8 years, Keene High School
stands at or near the state average; Keene Middle School is higher
than the state average; Keene elementary schools are
significantly higher than the state average.
III. Keene has small K-5 schools for a community its size, and each is
staffed by one principal – resulting in administrative staffing
higher than that of comparison districts. Keene Middle School
also has administrative costs that are comparatively high.
IV. Keene staffing is richer than that of comparison districts. With 5.2
students per employee, Keene has the lowest number of students
per employee of any comparison district.
69
70. Summary of Findings
V. Staffing levels at the elementary and middle levels are one driver
of administration costs. Although enrollments have decreased
over the past twenty years, staff has significantly increased.
VI. Keene class sizes in grades 1-2 are comparable to other districts;
3-8 are smaller than those of comparison school districts.
VII. Keene’s percent of students enrolled in special education services
is higher than the state average; Keene’s special education service
delivery model appears to be quite different than that of other
districts (based on staffing comparisons and positions).
VIII. Despite Keene’s substantial investment in special education and
its deep commitment to its students, the performance of special
education students on the NECAP was less strong than other
comparison districts allocating fewer resources to special
education.
70
