Kirk A. Johnson, Ph.D., and Elizabeth H. Moser
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
December 2002
This report by the Michigan-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy identifies six ways school districts-some of which spend over half their budget outside the classroom - can save money without laying off teachers. The recommendations are sound if mostly obvious: minimize administrative costs; out-source non-instructional services; cut back on overly generous health plans; structure capital costs effectively; and reform collective bargaining. The authors also make a not-too-subtle bid for increased school choice as a means of spurring competition and efficiency. Although they provide only anecdotal evidence of cost savings based on Michigan's experience with "schools-of-choice," their argument is convincing. It will be a challenge, however, to convince administrators around the country that a partial solution to their budget woes may be to lobby for greater choice in their districts - not that the other recommendations will prove easy to implement, either. This report can be found at http://www.mackinac.org/4891.
