PA Public School Staff Grows As Enrollment Declines

Despite stagnation in qualitative measures of school performance, cries for additional spending in public schools have not subsided. In fact, Gov. Rendell says he will continue to increase funding for school districts in the coming school year despite a ballooning state budget deficit. The governor is seeking passage of a 2010-11 budget that includes a $355 million boost to its basic education subsidy to districts.

One of the drivers of higher spending is an increase in staff sizes while enrollment has declined. Data from the PA Department of Education indicates that from 1999-2000 to 2008-09 the state has seen a 12 percent increase in public school staff and a 1 percent decline in enrollment. Pennsylvania schools added 17,345 professional staff and 15,582 support staff over this time, while enrollment declined by 26,960.

Some of the highest declines in student bodies occured in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties, as enrollment fell by 16,883 and 14,072 in each county, respectively.

 

Pennsylvania Public School Enrollment and Staff
Professional Staff Support Staff Total Staff
2000 2009 Change 2000 2009 Change 2000 2009 Change
Pennsylvania 138,426 155,771 17,345 93,344 108,926 15,582 231,770 264,697 32,927
Philadelphia  14,735 14,778 43 13,166 10,646 -2,520 27,901 25,424 -2,477
Allegheny County 13,480 13,980 500 8,758 9,290 532 22,238 23,270 1,032
Enrollment
2001 2009 Change
Pennsylvania 1,814,311 1,787,351 -26,960
Philadelphia  214,288 200,216 -14,072
Allegheny County 173,433 156,550 -16,883
(includes public charter schools)
Source: PA Department of Education