on top of this, disticts pay about 19% of salary costs into the state pension fund for school employees...I think the average business may match the first few percent (usually not 1 for 1 anymore)...so they might pay 1% - 4% of salary costs toward a 401K --- so taxpayers are on the hook for about 15% excessive retirement costs (which roughly equates to around $7500/yr/employee or about another $700 per pupil).

So between excessive healthcare and pension benefits, it costs schools about $1,400 per pupil of extra costs that should be on the table...and they were complaining about $165 and an additional $127 p.p. cut (the latter didn't occur after the gov found her threat and dog-and-pony show didn't work).

I'm pretty sure municipalities are in the same boat ("have to cut police/fire?  No - just show me their benefit packages).