---
title: "Burbio School Tracker 10/27: Multiple Choice"
description: This week we cover the highest and lowest per-pupil spending for districts with more than 50,000 students, look at the way districts with multiple bond initiatives structure elections, and take a deep dive into math pilot curriculums. More below:
image: https://about.burbio.com/hubfs/unnamed%20(60).png
---
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# Burbio School Tracker 10/27: Multiple Choice
This week we cover the highest and lowest per-pupil spending for districts with more than 50,000 students, look at the way districts with multiple bond initiatives structure elections, and take a deep dive into math pilot curriculums. More below:
[Dennis Roche](https://about.burbio.com/weekly-updates/author/dennis-roche)
Oct 27, 2026
---
**1.** The **U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of School System Finances** reports revenue, spending, and debt for public school systems nationwide. Using its fiscal year 2024 data, we begin with the 20 districts enrolling at least 50,000 students with the highest spending per pupil, which covers operating expenses and excludes capital outlays and debt service.
.png?width=500&height=437&name=unnamed%20(60).png)
Further below, we have a chart featuring the lowest-spending per pupil districts in the 50,000+ enrollment category.
**2.** [**Burbio’s Bond Tracker**](https://about.burbio.com/) tracks school district bond proposals nationwide, including proposed projects, funding amounts, and election dates. Ahead of November bond elections, we highlight several ways districts structure bond votes, from questions that depend on one another to proposals that can pass or fail independently:
- **The "ladder" approach:** **Robbinsdale Area Schools, MN,** presents three linked questions: a $343 million facilities plan; an additional $17 million for middle school reconfiguration and performing arts space; and an additional $53 million for a new elementary school and related changes. Question 2 requires passage of Question 1, while Question 3 requires approval of both preceding questions.
- **Making an expansion contingent on core improvements:** Caledonia Area Public Schools, MN, pairs a $9.7 million proposal for security, roofing, HVAC, and other facilities improvements with a separate $3 million proposal for CTE/STEM classrooms and labs, contingent on approval of the core facilities proposal.
- **Unlocking state funding: West Grand School District, CO,** seeks $13.3 million in local bond funding to secure approximately $10 million through Colorado’s BEST grant program. The bond would provide the required local match for junior/senior high school renovations addressing safety, security, accessibility, and aging infrastructure.
- **Separate bonds, separate votes, separate outcomes:** Other districts offer independent decisions on different projects or geographic areas:
- - - - **Allendale Public Schools, MI:** Voters consider separate proposals for $66.7 million in school improvements and additions and approximately $27 million for a new multipurpose school and community building. Either can pass independently.
- **Karnes City ISD, TX:** A $123 million proposal for a new junior high and other facilities, security, and transportation improvements appears separately from a $5 million proposal to construct teacher housing.
- **Merced Union High School District, CA:** Three measures seek $33.8 million, $59.1 million, and $129 million for different geographic areas within the district. Residents vote on the measure covering their area, producing separate outcomes for each community’s school improvements.
**3.** [**Burbio’s Curriculum Tracker**](https://about.burbio.com/curriculum-trackerv2)follows math, ELA, science, and social studies materials from pilot through adoption. This week, we examine math pilot discussions, drawing on September–October documents to highlight four recurring practices:
- **Setting criteria before classroom testing:** PACT Charter School, MN, is developing outcome statements and an evaluation rubric before its pilot. Jefferson School District, WI, describes aligning standards and creating a rubric before testing materials.
- **Comparing math programs through classroom pilots: Skokie SD 73.5, IL,** is piloting two math programs across K–8. Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, WI, is piloting two curricula each for K–5 and 6–12, with decisions in the second semester.
- **Preparing teachers to test the materials:** Newark Central School District, NY, describes targeted training for elementary teachers testing two math programs, including examining logistical, instructional, and financial considerations before adoption.
- **Using pilot feedback and other districts’ experience:** Norwalk Public Schools, CT, is using weekly teacher feedback and classroom visits during high school math pilots to shape a teacher-driven board recommendation. Jefferson School District, WI, plans pilot debriefs and Q&A with districts using the materials before recommending adoption.
**4.** Continuing our analysis of census data, below are districts with over 50,000 students with the lowest per-pupil spending for 2024:
.png?width=500&height=422&name=unnamed%20(61).png)
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