COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Columbus City Schools is managing one of the largest school budgets in the country, even bigger than the city of Columbus itself. With 9,000 employees serving the district, compared to the city’s 10,000 workers, administrators are facing tough decisions as they work through budget challenges.
The district’s $1.8 billion budget covers everything from teacher salaries to health insurance and facility improvements. Since the start of the fiscal year in July, the district has spent $586 million. Of the $1 billion in the general fund, $225 million goes toward health insurance, $232 million toward payroll, and $161 million toward improvement projects. Even small line items, like $96 allocated for Title 2-D technology, are tracked, though that specific fund has not yet been spent.
To gauge whether the district is getting results for its spending, comparisons with similar-sized districts nationwide are telling. Collier County Schools in Florida serves 48,000 students with a $1.6 billion budget and earns an “A” rating. Tucson Unified in Arizona serves 42,000 students with $665 million and also holds an “A.” San Antonio ISD in Texas serves 44,000 students on $541 million budget but receives a “C” rating. Portland, Oregon’s district, often criticized statewide, operates with $2 billion for 44,000 students…