Baltimore Schools Promote Student with 0.13 GPA Amid $1.4 Billion Budget

A recent revelation concerning a Baltimore City high school senior has sparked significant concern regarding academic performance and financial management within the Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS). The student in question graduated with a GPA of just 0.13, ranking 62nd out of 120 students in his class despite failing nearly all his classes during the first three years of high school.

This situation was highlighted by Project Baltimore and FOX 45 News, prompting scrutiny of the district's financial practices. BCPS operates on a substantial budget of $1.4 billion, serving approximately 78,000 students, which translates to an expenditure of around $18,000 per student. The funding sources include roughly $1 billion from Maryland state taxpayers, supplemented by local and federal contributions.

In addition to its regular budget, the district received $85 million from the federal CARES Act during the pandemic, while schools were closed for in-person learning. Despite this influx of funds, the district's payroll expenses exceeded $648 million last year, with a notable portion allocated to highly compensated administrative positions.

Notably, CEO Sonja Santelises received a salary of $339,028, significantly higher than the U.S. Secretary of Education's compensation. Other top earners included Chief of Schools John Davis at $218,303 and several others at salaries exceeding $194,000.

Interestingly, the district employs more non-teaching staff than teachers, with nearly 10,000 employees, including 4,500 teachers. The average teacher salary was around $74,500, which, when benefits are included, costs taxpayers over $100,000 per teacher annually.

In contrast, private Catholic schools in Baltimore reportedly pay their teachers an average of $40,000 and resumed in-person learning earlier than public schools.

Concerns also arose regarding the allocation of funds for positions like hall monitors, who were paid nearly $700,000 during the school closure period when students were not present. The district explained that these employees were reassigned to assist with virtual learning efforts.

The financial management of BCPS has drawn criticism, with some officials arguing that the district's spending practices, rather than a lack of funding, are the root of the issues faced by students. Mayor Brandon Scott suggested that educational shortcomings stem from underfunding, but this was countered by critics who indicated that the district's expenditures are above the national average.

This situation continues to raise questions about the effectiveness of the district's spending and the academic standards upheld within Baltimore's public schools.

Reported by HarborBeat based on Forbes (source).