Answer: Not in the Classroom

So where does Cave Creek Unified School District #93 spend its money? According to a report from the State of Arizona Auditor General, CCUSD spent the lowest percentage of classroom dollars in over 5 years in 2007. A miserly 55.5% of per pupil spending ended up in the classroom, lower than the state average of 57.9% . Way lower than the national average of 61.2%, and embarrassing lower than 61.3% (Scottsdale) and 62.4% (Paradise Valley) found in neighboring districts.

How is it that a district in one of the most affluent areas in the state fails to get the dollars into the classroom? If you guessed 'administrative overhead' you are correct. Administration non-classroom dollars hit a five year high at 10.1%. That represents $705 dollars PER PUPIL. Administrative dollars are those associated with a district’s governing board, superintendent, and school principal offices, and its business and central support. services. Do you feel like you get $700 worth of responsiveness and productivity from the administration for each child you have enrolled at CCUSD?

Even more embarrassing is how the district treats the teachers.

2007 Average Teachers Salary

PVUSD $48,517
State Average $43,833
SUSD $42,403
CCUSD $40,917

This is just sad.