April 15, 2005 Study on schools finds operating costs outpace rise in enrollment by The Dallas Morning News Staff Writers The Dallas Morning News North Texas - School district administrative costs have risen nearly three times faster than student enrollment over the last eight years, according to a study released Thursday by a group of business leaders seeking new financial controls over districts. The study was commissioned by Texas Businesses for Educational Excellence, which has called on the Legislature to beef up financial accountability for school districts as it overhauls the school finance system. "These findings demonstrate the need for stronger, more detailed and more frequent financial disclosure by school districts and campuses," said Sandy Kress, a former education adviser to President Bush and a member of the business coalition. The study, conducted by Educational Resource Group, indicated that school operating expenses increased 57 percent between 1997 and 2004, while student enrollment increased 13 percent. During the same period, the number of teachers increased 17 percent, campus administrators increased 32 percent and central office administrators increased 35 percent, according to the study. In addition, the study said if districts operating at above-average, per-student costs were as efficient as the average district in Texas last year, over $1 billion in state and local funds could have been saved. Copyright 2005 Belo Interactive Inc. Reprinted with permission of The Dallas Morning News. Issue(s): Education