doing the math

Here are some of state, federal and local mandates on Brian Benzel’s list, followed by the cost to Spokane schools:

Transportation - $1.6 million

Six-period days at the high school (state funds five periods) - $2.8 million

Substitute teachers – $1 million

Special education – $8.6 million

Bus driver annual training - $38,000

Programs for non-English speaking students – $1.5 million

Election costs – $300,000

Immunization record keeping – $35,400

Fire alarm inspections – $50,000

Fire extinguisher inspections – $6,000

Bus accident incident reporting, investigation and drug testing – $10,700

Asbestos abatement, annual training, plan and updates – $21,000

Public records requests (cost of research) – $25,000

Americans with Disabilities Act facility accommodations – $41,000

Annual affirmative action plans and reports – $5,000

Sexual harassment training - $5,000

OSHA mandatory training, documentation and plans – $51,100

Boiler testing – $9,500

Backflow testing - $10,000

State patrol background checks and fingerprinting for personnel – $37,000

Playground safety inspections – $20,300

Elevator inspections – $14,300

Fire hydrant testing – $2,400

Breakfast program, schools with more than 25 percent poverty – $15,000

Second health inspection for school kitchens – $10,000

Nutrition and fitness policy impact – $150,000

Annual weapons incident reporting – $5,000

For a complete list, http://www.spokaneschools.org and click on the link for the 2007-08 funding challenge