Average Position Cost
DCPS budgets for all school-based staff based on the average salary cost of the position. For the portion of resources allocated in a staffing model, DCPS provides the school the exact amount of funding required to purchase the position (average salary, benefits, and holdouts). The actual staff member who is hired may receive a salary that is greater than or less than the average, based on their qualifications. Using average salaries protects schools against fluctuations due to staff changes and maintains schools’ ability to hire teachers based on quality.
Calculating Salary and Benefits
DCPS determines the average salary collaboratively with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer based on an analysis of payroll data. Typically, the average salary increases every year due to cost of living increases and rising healthcare costs, among other reasons. The benefits rate is determined through a similar process and each year, it is budgeted at approximately 15-17% of the base salary.
Administrative Add-Ons
In addition to salary and benefits, DCPS adds the costs of associated expenses related to each union (e.g., the Washington Teachers’ Union, or WTU) and/or position type to the average salary and benefits. These additional costs are called “administrative add-ons.” For example, each teacher receives a $200 teacher supply card to purchase classroom supplies as part of the WTU contract. This $200 is added on top of the salary and benefits of every WTU position that is budgeted. Other examples of these add-ons include the costs of employee fingerprinting, substitutes, ensuring compliance with disability accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and cost of IMPACT teacher performance bonuses. The total costs are distributed across each position in a “per unit cost” during the budget development process and combined into one “add-on.” This per unit “add-on” is combined with average salary and benefits to determine the total average cost of a position. The total “add-on” cost will vary by position type since the expenses that they pay for can vary by position type. The total add-on budget is centrally managed.
FY24 Average Position Costs
FY24 WTU Add-Ons and Average Teacher Position Cost | |||
Description | Line Item | FY24 Cost per WTU | FY24 Budget |
Mutual Consent Excessing Options | Extra Year Option | $58.36 | $316,800 |
Mutual Consent Excessing Options | Buyout Option | $4.61 | $25,000 |
IMPACT Bonuses | IMPACT Bonuses | $2,585.50 | $21,925,000 |
Background Checks | Drug & Alcohol Testing | $26.62 | $225,750 |
Background Checks | Fingerprinting Screen | $56.66 | $480,500 |
Background Checks | Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.68 | $22,712 |
Employee Support | Start-Up Supplies | $200.00 | $1,070,800 |
Employee Support | ADA Accommodations | $58.60 | $496,950 |
Employee Support | WTU Tuition Reimbursement | $14.74 | $80,000 |
Employee Support | International Visas | $4.97 | $27,000 |
Employee Support | WTU Placements | $363.33 | $1,972,140 |
Employee Support | Employee Assistance Services | $11.14 | $94,500 |
Stipends | DINR Bonus | $41.45 | $225,000 |
Stipends | Department Chair Stipends | $101.33 | $550,000 |
School-Based Costs | Substitutes | $1,481.39 | $8,041,000 |
School-Based Costs | Enrollment Reserve | $330.19 | $2,800,000 |
School-Based Costs | Backfill | $184.23 | $1,000,000 |
School-Based Costs | New Teacher Pipeline | $46.06 | $250,000 |
Add-ons | $5,572 | ||
Base Salary | $94,474 | ||
Salary and Benefits | $109,590 | Benefits Rate = 16.0% of salary | |
Total Average Teacher Cost | $115,162 |
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FY24 CSO Add-Ons | ||
Description | FY24 Cost per CSO | FY24 Budget |
IMPACT Bonuses | $2,585.50 | $21,925,000 |
Drug & Alcohol Testing | $26.62 | $225,750 |
Fingerprinting Screen | $56.66 | $480,500 |
Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.68 | $22,712 |
ADA Accommodations | $58.60 | $496,950 |
Employee Assistance Services | $11.14 | $94,500 |
Enrollment Reserve | $330.19 | $2,800,000 |
Professional Development | $73.96 | $50,000 |
Start-Up Supplies | $200.00 | $153,200 |
Total Add-ons | $3,345 | $26,248,612 |
FY24 AFSCME Add-Ons | ||
Description | FY24 Cost per AFSCME | FY24 Budget |
IMPACT Bonuses | $2,585.50 | $21,925,000 |
Drug & Alcohol Testing | $26.62 | $225,750 |
Fingerprinting Screen | $56.66 | $480,500 |
Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.68 | $22,712 |
ADA Accommodations | $58.60 | $496,950 |
Employee Assistance Services | $11.14 | $94,500 |
Enrollment Reserve | $330.19 | $2,800,000 |
Legal Fund | $28.74 | $50,000 |
Metro Pass | $45.98 | $80,000 |
Total Add-ons | $3,146 | $26,175,412 |
FY24 Teamsters Add-Ons | ||
Description | FY24 Cost per Teamster | FY24 Budget |
IMPACT Bonuses | $2,585.50 | $21,925,000 |
Drug & Alcohol Testing | $26.62 | $225,750 |
Fingerprinting Screen | $56.66 | $480,500 |
Fitness for Duty/FMLA Vertification | $2.68 | $22,712 |
ADA Accommodations | $58.60 | $496,950 |
Employee Assistance Services | $11.14 | $94,500 |
Enrollment Reserve | $330.19 | $2,800,000 |
Transportation | $33.00 | $20,000 |
Shift Differential | $1,479.90 | $896,822 |
Home Assistance | $82.51 | $50,000 |
Total Add-ons | $4,667 | $26,985,234 |
