Seattle is set to close approximately a quarter of its elementary schools and cut jobs as part of efforts to address a significant budget deficit of around $100 million. This decision comes amid broader national challenges within the education sector, including a notable decline in student numbers and tuition revenue. The district has reportedly lost over 4,000 students since the pre-pandemic period. Additionally, public colleges across the country are experiencing the most substantial drop in tuition revenue in four decades, further exacerbating financial strains. These educational institutions are grappling with decreased enrollment, increased operational costs, and the cessation of federal pandemic relief funds, which previously helped to mitigate budget shortfalls. In Pennsylvania, the 2022 revenue per student was reported at $22,544, ranking it 7th highest in the nation and $4,100 more than the US average. Furthermore, tuition revenue has remained 179.6% higher than the $2,629 per student recorded in 1980.
America has too many schools. As birthrates fall, families move elsewhere, and public school alternatives grow, many urban districts have seen plummeting enrollment. https://t.co/WHs2MWyO6p via @WSJ
"The pace of closures is accelerating … because small private colleges are struggling with declining enrollment, rising costs, an inability to increase tuition revenue, and the end of federal pandemic relief funds that helped plug budget gaps.” https://t.co/1VNsC2exIl
Tuition revenue remained 179.6% higher than the $2,629 per student SHEEO recorded in 1980, the first year of available data. https://t.co/Z2SbKUDwLn
NCES reports Pennsylvania's 2022 revenue per student at $22,544. That's 7th most in the nation, and $4,100 more than US average. #PABudget https://t.co/5KLcEJO1hB
Amid a crisis of public college enrollment, tuition money sees biggest plunge in 40 years. https://t.co/PsYxwLPCSJ
Seattle will close around 1/4th of its elementary schools & cut jobs to shore up a roughly $100mm budget deficit
"the district has lost more than 4,000 students since pre-pandemic years" https://t.co/P5LcTnd38b