Comparing Per-Pupil Support in Different Types of Milwaukee Schools: An Update

Mike Ford:

A ways back I compared public support for the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) to students in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP). Though not the perfect (and unattainable) "apples-to-apples" comparison, I came up with something reasonably logical. What follows is an updated comparison that includes independent charter schools in Milwaukee, as well as MPS and the MPCP.

First, MPS. According to the district's 2013 proposed budget the final adopted total district budget in 2012 (excluding carryover funds) was $1,188,160,523. Within that number:

• $17,952,177 goes to non-public schools.
• $20,868,734 (excluding carryover funds) goes to the extension fund. The extension fund is for public recreation and facilities that serve the broader community.
• $7,060,441 comes from private grants.

Subtracting the non-public schools allocation, the extension fund, and private grants from the MPS budget brings the relevant 2012 MPS budget number to $1,142,279,171. Dividing that number by the number of MPS pupils, 86,089, (MPS grand total excluding students leaving MPS via the chapter 220 program) puts the 2012 comparative per-pupil public support of MPS at $13,269.

The $376,200,000 2012-2013 Madison School District budget spends $15,132 for each of its 24,861 students. Madison's per student spending is about 45% higher than the Austin, TX school district.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at July 12, 2012 8:38 PM
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