Key Facts

The people of Washington are generous in funding our public schools, and by any reasonable measure public education in the state receives ample funding.  Education budgets are at historic highs, and per-pupil spending in Washington state is about $10,100 a year, the highest level ever. Yet because of restrictive work rules and a multi-layered bureaucracy, only 59 cents of every education dollar reaches the classroom, and public school students continue to lag in academic achievement. Detailed research and ideas for reform are available in our study, Eight Practical Ways to Reverse the Decline in Public Schools.

1. Edmonds Schools and Students

• Number of students: 19,276
• Number of schools: 32

2. School Staffing

• Number of employees: 1,925
• Number of classroom teachers: 969
• Number of students per employee: 10
• Number of students per classroom teacher: 20
• Share of employees who are classroom teachers: 50%
• Teacher paid days off: 10 holidays, 12 days of sick leave, three days of personal leave, four days of annual leave, and additional days by permission.
• Layoff rules: Layoffs are based strictly on seniority, with young teachers being let go first. Some limited teacher transfers, not to exceed 3% of all teachers, are allowed to improve a school’s educational program.
• Teacher evaluations: teachers evaluations based on classroom effectiveness and ability to improve student learning is not allowed.

3. Education Spending

• Total education spending in 2009-10: $268 million
• Total per student spending: $13,928
• Operations budget: $182 million
• Per student spending, operations only: $9,452
• Average teacher pay for ten-month work year: $62,804
• Average teacher pay with benefits: $72,419
• Average administrator pay with benefits: $119,000
• Superintendent’s pay with benefits: $225,550
• Number of employees paid over $100,000 a year: 60
• Education funds paid as dues to teachers’ union in 2007-8: $1,033,000

4. Student Learning
Students in Washington state are entitled to 180 days of class time.

• Number of full class days provided by Edmonds Schools: 167
• High school on-time graduation rate: 77.1%
• 2008-9 WASL results: 51% of eighth graders failed in math; 46% of tenth graders failed in math; 55% of tenth graders failed in science; 28% of third graders failed in reading

Per student spending chart over five year period:

Download a pdf of Key Facts about Edmonds Public Schools here.