State auditor releases 2015-16 K-12 data reported to state
This segment of Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway’s recently released audit of the 2015-2016 financial data that schools reported to the state shows salary information for administrators and teachers at Ozark County Schools. Galloway’s report accompanying the stateway listings noted that, over a two-year period, Missouri school superintendent salaries have increased by 31 percent while teacher salaries increased by only 22 percent.
Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway on Monday released an audit of the 2015-2016 financial data reported by K-12 schools to the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
The audit specifically reviewed administration costs, which include the expenses of the principals’ and superintendents’ offices, administrative support staff and school board. Although some reporting errors and inconsistencies were noted, in general, when schools report the data, they classify the exact use of funds as a specific category such as fiscal services, executive administration and building level administration.
Among the findings, the data revealed that, over a 12-year period, Missouri school superintendent salaries have increased by 31 percent while teacher salaries increased by only 22 percent, Galloway said in her report.
The report also found that information provided to DESE about administrator compensation may not be complete or accurate, and Galloway made recommendations to improve the reporting process.
The report also included information on school expenditures compared to annual performance and recommended additional evaluation of how spending decisions impact school performance. One portion of the report, listing information to Ozark County school salaries, is shown above. To see the complete report, visit app.auditor.mo.gov.