What do State Vocational-Technical Schools Cost?

A new State Department of Education report on vocational-technical (V-T) school budgets and expenditures yields some interesting data. Among the highlights:

• Per-pupil costs at the 15 operating V-T schools vary widely, with the highest-cost school, Eli Whitney in Hamden, costing over 33% more ($15,588) than the lowest, Wilcox Tech in Meriden ($11,700).
• The state is spending more than $385,500 this year for plant operation and maintenance at the shuttered Wright Tech in Stamford.
• Nearly 59% of the V-T system’s full-time equivalent employees are trade and academic instructional staff.
• Almost 12% of system employees are classified as administrative, including principals, assistant principals, consultants, deans, and business officers.