By: Diane Benjamin
Tax-Rates.org summarizes property taxes by state. Indiana property tax rates as a percentage of home value is less than half what Illinois is. Of course everyone knows schools drive Illinois property taxes.
Indiana School Districts:
The largest public school district in Indiana, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is an agile, innovative educational organization committed to academic excellence built through individualized, relationship-based learning. We empower our students to think critically, creatively and responsibly, to embrace diversity and pursue their dreams with purpose. Though we cover 80 square miles, employ more than 5,000 people and serve more than 30,000 students, we are committed to serving individual students with what they need. https://myips.org/about-us/district-overview/
6 students per staff.
Carmel Clay Schools is a nationally recognized public school district that serves approximately 16,500 students and 2,400 staff across 15 school sites in Carmel, Indiana. https://www.ccs.k12.in.us/about
6.9 students per staff
This chart is included in Bloomington’s budget: https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/home/showdocument?id=29082&t=638143198780070000
Unit 5 is listed in 2021 as the 5th largest employer – 2432 employees. The numbers came from the EDC.
In 2021 Unit 5 had 12,325 students. https://blnnews.com/2022/03/04/unit-5-enrollment-is-decreasing/
That is 5.02 students per staff
District 87 had 800 employees in 2021. They had 4,978 students: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/District.aspx?source=studentcharacteristics&source2=enrollment&Districtid=17064087025
That is 6.22 students per staff
Unit 5 needed money, District 87 didn’t.
According to Unit 5’s website they now have 1650 full and part time employees: https://www.unit5.org/domain/1183
Unit 5 staff decreased by 782 people in 2 years?
Unit 5 currently has 12,304 students: https://blnnews.com/2022/10/12/unit-5-tax-increase-fewer-students/
That is 7.36 students per staff if the 1650 number is correct.
If a major employer cut that many jobs wouldn’t that be news?
Since Unit 5 is educating a lot less students (more than 1000 since 2018) employees should decrease. Unit 5 scared parents into giving them more money when it was management that should have been replaced. Of course moving to Indiana would save a lot more money.
If you have kids in District 87 see the State summary of their performance: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/District.aspx?districtId=17064087025
It isn’t good. Both language and math are below state standards. Unit 5 isn’t any better: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/district.aspx?districtid=17064005026
Taxpayers aren’t paying for the education of the next generation. That is clear in the test results. I’m sure both districts don’t want you to click their links.
The source you listed says Unit 5 is doing better than the state in English and Math. The had a lower IAR growth rate. It’s harder to grow this rate when you are already ahead of the average. Even the SAT data shows this. Your source disproves your claim. Unit 5 is above state average.
I would be more interested in the numbers or full-time vs part-time employees. Are we talking recess supervisors (a few hours per day), stipend coaches, etc or staff members with full benefits? Are we including high school or college students who are summer groundskeepers? My niece has two “employees” as coaches, but they split a stipend of probably $1k.
Additionally, does U5 serve more special needs students who are likely to have 1-1 aids. That adds a tremendous amount of expense and employee count.
Very few part time employees for anything. Teachers, maintenance and grounds take care of most everything in day to day operations. Coaches teach and coach but depending on activity some are paid better than others. Some coaches are volunteer. Special needs are served here as well but don’t know about if any or how many aids and what they are paid. Again, the money isn’t wasted on unneeded teachers, administrators or staff here with much better results. The schools by and large are much bigger, some resemble a small college. Carmel has 5,000 students and is one of the best high schools in the country. The others in the suburbs have student populations from 1,500 and up, with most at 2,000 in the high schools alone. From what I have seen, they are better run, the facilities second to none and the teachers are just better. Local government and parents won’t tolerate the waste and there is real pride in most of the systems and referendum frequency is not as often as in BN. Schools have to prove a need, not just make one up. Everyone should come see for themselves.
IPS has a better student/staff ratio but received a state grade of D…
https://inview.doe.in.gov/corporations/1053850000
They are the worse in Central Indiana, because just like South Bend, they serve a mostly minority population where parents are basically uninvolved and is hard to get the best teachers. Compared to Chicago metro schools, they are college prep. Also, teachers in this area aren’t on the same salary schedule as BN public schools, where after five years in BN, teachers and administrators are some of the best paid anywhere. Yet, Carmel, Fishers. Noblesville and others would kick BN schools in the tail academically and in any extra curricular activity. The kids perform better overall while teachers are paid less but are still dedicated to their profession. Same for the privates in the area. I pay half the tax for education than I did in BN with better results. The kids have the best of everything because there is no tax waste and the parents make up the difference. Living here is night and day when compared to BN in everything.
I was referring to Indianapolis metro only in my opening statement not Central Indiana for clarification.
When Weikle refers to U5 as being excellent she’s lying, as usual. Proficiency in reading, math, science are nothing to be proud of.
I don’t think the tax difference is schools. I live in Indiana now and I’d say you get what you pay for. No sidewalks, poor storm drainage, no parks, poor town planning, expensive water/sewer/trash. Some of that is true in portions of Illinois too. but I pay half in taxes and feel like i get 1/4 of public services I had in BloNo.
It sure isn’t like that everywhere in Indiana, depends where you live.