Editorials
Lancaster School District ranked 14th and most cost effective. That’s the good news
By Lee Chowaniec
May 6, 2005, 23:35

Business First ranked the Lancaster School District 14th in a field of 97 Public School Districts in Western New York. They were recognized as the most cost effective and made the Honor Roll for the first time. So, what could be the bad news?

The following are Business First’s rankings of the top 20 School Districts.

1. Williamsville (Erie)
2. Clarence (Erie)
3. Orchard Park (Erie)
4. Amherst (Erie)
5. East Aurora (Erie)
6. Iroquois (Erie)
7. Bemis Point (Chautauqua)
8. Alfred Almond (Allegany)
9. Alden (Erie)
10. Hamburg (Erie)
11. Frontier (Erie)
12. Wilson (Niagara)
13. Eden (Erie)
14. Lancaster (Erie)
15. Akron (Erie)
16. Grand Island (Erie)
17. Leroy (Genesee)
18. Sweet Home (Erie)
19. Barker (Niagara)
20. Fredonia (Chautauqua)

According to BF, Lancaster is number 1 in cost-effectiveness – “gets bang for the buck.” The analysis of cost-effectiveness is based on a comparison of academic performance and school expenditures. As last year, Lancaster spent less per student than all other school district under consideration.

BF lists Lancaster’s spending per general pupil at $5,210 and $10,525 per special pupil. It had been noted in earlier reports that expenditures for buildings, transportation and buses were not included in reaching this year’s cost per pupil education or cost-effectiveness numbers.

Lancaster cost per pupil last year was in the high $9,000 number. If one were to consider the proposed 2005-2006 budget is $68,474,133, that the school enrollment is listed at 6,200, the cost per pupil comes in at $1,104.

As stated in BF:

OVERVIEW

These are good times in Lancaster. An arduous climb from the depths (82nd place in 1995) has culminated in a 14th- place finish this year. That’s an upswing of 68 slots in a decade, an improvement unmatched anywhere in Western New York.

Lancaster, as a result, joins the Honor Roll in 2005.

KEY POINTS

Lancaster ranks among the regions 10 leading districts on two tests – a fourth-grade math and eight-grade social studies.

High schoolers do best on the Regents U.S. history exam, placing 11th. Their weakest subject is Regents math, where they are 55th in line.

The faculty is decidedly youthful. The typical teacher has eight years of classroom experience. Two Lancaster elementary schools are on the list of the regions 20 best. Como Park Elementary ranks 13th and Court Street Elementary is 16th.

Next Step: After High School, 61% go on to 4-year schools, 29% to two-year schools, 6% find jobs and 2% go into the military. Much improved from last year.

RANKINGS OF SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT

Lancaster High School – Ranked 26th of 110 schools considered. Ranked 36th in 2004.
Percentile - 77%.

Lancaster Middle School – Ranked 22nd of 144 schools considered. Ranked 22nd in 2004. Percentile – 85%.

Como Park Elementary School – Ranked 13th of 233 schools considered. Ranked 7th in 2004. Percentile 95%

Court Street Elementary School – Ranked 16th of 233 schools. Ranked 15th in 2004. Percentile – 94%.

Hillview Elementary School – Ranked 28th of 233 schools. Ranked 16th in 2004. Percentile 88%

John A. Sciole Elementary School – Ranked 29th of 233 schools. Ranked 27 in 2004. Percentile 88%.

Central Avenue Elementary School – Ranked 47 of 233 schools. Ranked 23rd in 2004. Percentile 80%.


COMMENTARY

It was a good year for the Lancaster School District overall. The same may be said for the improvement noted in the High School. The Middle School managed to retain last year’s commendable rating. However, none of the elementary schools were able to maintain their previous years rankings. Some experienced a significant decline.

The elementary grades were fawned upon last year for their performances and were looked upon as the foundation for future improvement in District rankings. Despite their decline, all are above the 80% percentile.

So, it was academically a good year and the Lancaster School District was recognized as number one in cost-effectiveness. Will residents consider the District’s overall performance as good enough to mask the fact that spending increased by 8.7% in the current proposed budget?

School officials are telling residents that it’s a good budget considering 6.5% of the 8.7% spending increase is the result of “fixed” expenditures. Unlike the New York State Retirement System, where the School District has no say, the Lancaster Board of Education, teachers, Board Members, et al do negotiate salaries and health care benefits with the CSEA Union. They determine the ”fixed” in this regard.

Near 80% of the budget goes to pay for teacher and administrative salaries, health benefits and pensions. Lancaster was commended for cost-effectiveness. However, it was noted that they have a decidedly youthful teaching staff, averaging 8 years of experience. Such experience would command an average salary of approximately $45,000. Spending per pupil costs will rise significantly as the teaching staff matures.

It was reported that teachers salaries in more than half the county’s schools earn upwards of $80,000 after 20 years on the job. They can retire at the age of 55 with two-thirds of their salary. It has also recently been reported that teachers' salaries are not a predictor of a pupil’s academic achievement.

The public has revolted against any increase in county taxes. They have made it clear that “Enough is enough.” Should we then not be as demanding in calling for reform on a system that takes at least 4 times the amount of taxpayer money as does our inept and ineffectual county?

Is any Western New York School District really getting a “bang for their buck”?


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