Student spending rises 5.5% in Utah

Utah's per-student spending increased 5.5 percent for the year that ended June 2002, according to a report by the Utah Taxpayers Association, but Utah still remains near the bottom of the barrel for per-student spending.

"This isn't to say taxpayers aren't doing a lot, but nearly one out of four people in Utah is a student, so there are an awful lot of kids being supported by not a lot of taxpayers," said Mark Peterson, director of public relations for the Utah State Office of Education. "That's our dilemma and it will continue to be a dilemma."

For maintenance and operation expenditures, Utah's per-student spending increased from $4,803 to $5,069, based on average daily attendance. In the past 10 years, Utah's total per-student expenditures have increased at a rate of 5.8 percent annually, which is above the national average of 4.5 percent and the annualized inflation rate of 2.6 percent.

"I wouldn't say it's a bad thing, but I think it's important that people know that even during tough times, education spending per student is increasing," said Mike Jerman, Utah Taxpayers Association vice president. "We've never believed education is only about spending, but unfortunately that seems to be the focal point."

Despite the increased spending, Utah is ranked 50th out of 51 for per-student spending, according to a report released by the Utah Education Association in May. Utah spending was 61.3 percent of the national average of $7,548.

"We get a lot of bang for our buck, but it'd sure be nice to have a few more bucks," Peterson said.

But Jerman said the public should be aware of the spending increases in the face of budget cuts because public education is the largest expenditure of taxes.

"Our main concern is the output, the quality of the students coming out. We have to spend some money, but the emphasis needs to be put more on choice and student output."

According to the Taxpayers Association report, Utah school districts received 58.7 percent of revenues from state sources, primarily income taxes. Nationally, schools receive 50 percent of their funding from state sources. Districts received 33 percent of revenues from local sources, including property taxes, compared to 43 percent nationally.

The federal government provided the remaining 8.3 percent of Utah's revenue, compared to 7.1 percent nationally. However, Utah received less than the national average on a per-student basis, at $475 compared to $606.

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