Finding #28 — District-Wide Admin Support Benefits +41% — Growing Faster Than Classrooms

Severity: elevated · Category: staffing · Last updated: Apr 15, 2026 · Dollar amount: +$36,409

Summary

Administrative support staff benefits jumped 41% ($88,635 → $125,044). Admin assistant benefits up 28%. SS/Medicare up 25%. Administrative costs are growing significantly faster than classroom spending.

Detail

Full Financial Report:

• District-Wide Support Staff Benefits (2500-900-06-520800): $88,635 → $125,044 (+$36,409, +41%) • Gorham High School Admin Assistant Benefits (2400-310-07-520800): $36,105 → $46,078 (+$9,973, +28%) • District-Wide SS/Medicare (2500-900-06-522800): $26,688 → $33,379 (+$6,691, +25%) • Gorham High School Staff Wellness: $5,250 → $8,750 (+67%)

Budget salary assumptions (p.67): teacher raises 4.25%, health insurance +12%, non-union staff ~3%. A 41% increase in admin support benefits far exceeds these stated figures. No explanation appears in any narrative.

Impact

Admin support costs growing 3-10x faster than stated salary assumptions

Source

Document: FY27 Budget Book + Full Financial Report
Reference: Full Financial Report: Account 2500-900-06 (District-Wide Admin) · Budget Book p.67 — Salary Assumptions
Q&A: Not raised in Budget Workshop Q&A (now 86+ questions)

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