Disclaimer: I am a member of the Board of Education, but I do not speak on behalf of the Board. The following analysis reflects research I conducted independently to make informed, data-driven decisions about the education budget. I’m sharing it here because many of you appreciated similar insights I’ve shared before. While I’ve completed this analysis in good faith, I’m only human, and mistakes can happen. If you spot something that seems off, please don’t hesitate to email me. Let’s dive in!
Summary of Key Findings
In my view, North Haven schools provide excellent value to taxpayers. We spend significantly less than our peers while achieving better-than-average outcomes. However, sustaining and enhancing these results will require continued, strategic investments in education.
Comparing Budgets Across Districts
To understand how North Haven’s spending measures up, I analyzed budget allocations across districts in our District Reference Group (DRG), which includes towns with similar socioeconomic profiles. While factors like one-time expenses (e.g., new fire trucks or curriculum updates) can influence yearly spending, comparing trends helps identify areas for improvement.
Education Budget Allocation
North Haven allocates about 49.8% of its annual budget to education, approximately 8 percentage points lower than the DRG average. Over the past several years, our town has consistently ranked in the bottom 25% of our DRG for education spending as a percentage of the overall budget.
This isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. Despite spending less, North Haven’s schools are performing well, as outlined in the next sections. However, understanding these trends is crucial for making informed decisions about future investments.
Per-Student Spending
Another critical metric is how much each district spends per student, which reflects overall investment in education.
DRG D Average: $20,995.10 per student
Difference: -$1,319.13 per student (-$4.2 million total)
Cost-Saving Strategies in North Haven
North Haven’s lower spending can be attributed to several efficiencies:
Supporting Special Needs Students Locally: More students with special needs stay in neighborhood schools, reducing transportation costs and enhancing peer interaction.
Efficient Budget Management: Examples include bulk purchasing supplies, renegotiating vendor contracts (e.g., saving $60K on printing services), and maintaining a lean central office.
Concerning Trends
While our spending used to closely match the DRG average, we’ve recently fallen further behind. The gap between North Haven and the highest-funded district (Old Saybrook) is widening, while our spending approaches the lowest-funded district (Ledyard). These trends raise concerns about maintaining our competitive edge in education.
State Funding Disparities
North Haven consistently ranks in the bottom 25% of our DRG for state funding. If our State Senator and State Representative could help us secure funding comparable to towns like Rocky Hill or Cromwell, it would significantly reduce the financial burden on North Haven taxpayers.
Key Funding Insights
Sources of School Funding: Local property taxes, state and federal contributions, and grants.
Challenges: Federal aid is minimal for most districts outside major cities, and grants (like the excess cost grant) are often inconsistent.
If North Haven received state funding at the DRG average, we’d gain an additional $9 million annually. This would:
Potentially bridge the $4.2 million gap to the DRG average AND
Possibly return over $4 million annually to taxpayers.
Advocating for equitable state funding would ease the tax burden on residents while allowing us to continue investing in education.
Student Outcomes: A Resounding Success
Finally, let’s answer the critical question: Is the juice worth the squeeze? The answer is a resounding “YES!”
The Next Generation Accountability Index, which measures academic achievement, access to opportunities, and college or career readiness, shows North Haven outperforming its peers.
DRG D Average: 76.97
North Haven’s Score: 80.19 (+3.22 above average)
North Haven has consistently ranked in the top half of our DRG and is now climbing closer to the very top. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our educators, efficient use of resources, and community support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is the percentage of the budget for education calculated?I review each district’s approved Board of Education and town budgets, using the formula: BOE Budget ÷ Total Budget.
2. What about bonded projects?Bonded projects (e.g., school renovations) are paid by the town and included in the debt service line of budgets. North Haven’s debt service is slightly above average but within normal bounds.
3. Why compare to DRGs instead of the state average?DRGs allow us to compare North Haven to towns with similar socioeconomic profiles, avoiding unfair comparisons to districts with much higher or lower tax bases.
4. Why invest more if North Haven is doing fine?Education success isn’t static. To maintain and improve outcomes, we must invest in professional development, updated technology, and enriched learning opportunities.
5. What are the benefits of strong schools?Strong schools boost property values, attract families to our town, and prepare a well-educated workforce, ensuring long-term economic vitality.
Conclusion: Investing in Our Future
Public education is a cornerstone of our community’s success. Despite spending less per student than similar towns, North Haven’s schools consistently outperform their peers. This achievement reflects the dedication of our educators, the efficiency of our budget, and the support of our community.
By prioritizing strategic investments in education, we ensure continued success for our students, strengthen our community, and foster long-term economic growth. Let’s work together to keep our schools thriving and our town proud.
I made a quick video about this topic if you'd like to check it out.
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