Administrative Spending Grew Faster Than Classroom Spending in Most of NM’s School Districts

A new analysis by Think New Mexico found that in 61 of New Mexico’s 89 school districts, administrative spending grew faster than classroom spending over the past decade. Similarly, administrative spending grew faster than classroom spending in 50 out of 89 charter schools for which data was available.

Statewide, New Mexico’s classroom spending grew by an average of 1.5% a year between 2006 and 2017. By contrast, administrative spending grew by an average of 2.1% a year over the same time period.

During the 2019 legislative session, Think New Mexico is advocating for House Bill 77, which would limit the annual growth of school district central administrative spending to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the overall growth in the state education budget, whichever is lower. Classroom spending would not be limited. So, for example, if the governor and legislature were to pass a budget that increased overall education spending by 12%, and the CPI were 2%, school district and charter school administrative spending would be capped at 2% and all the rest of the new money would go to the classroom.

Read Think New Mexico’s full news release, and download the explanatory memo, classroom and administrative spending growth rates for school districts, for charter schools, and statewide (please email us if you would like the full Excel sheet of all data). You can also contact your legislators and the governor and encourage them to support House Bill 77.

2 Comments On “Administrative Spending Grew Faster Than Classroom Spending in Most of NM’s School Districts”

  1. Salaries should be on job performances. Failure of schools should be considered before giving a raise. Need to hire people with a track record for success.

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  2. By all of this administrative costs you have hindered the children can’t do activities because they can’t afford it. Typical board like the swamp, spend, spend and forget about the children. Fire the union and the board and start over!!

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