News Bite

Fewer Children In Michigan Schools But Bigger Staffs

More adults for fewer kids

The number of children enrolled in Michigan's K-12 public schools has fallen in recent years, yet school districts have not cut their staffing levels to reflect that decline.

The number of individuals employed by public school fell 2.3% in 2020-21 from the previous year for new total of 200,140 full-time jobs. But that figure is still higher than previous years, despite ongoing drops in enrollment.

The state’s definition of school staff combines all teaching positions, including day-to-day substitute teachers, aides and administrative positions, as well as noninstructional jobs.

For example, in the 2011-12 school year, Michigan public schools had 196,965 full-time jobs, with 1,582,168 students enrolled. By 2020-21, the number of employees had risen to 200,140 full-time public school staffers serving just 1,437,612 students - 9% fewer than a decade earlier.

The employment data comes from the state of Michigan.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.