Where Does the Education Dollar Go?

How Has This Changed Over Time?

Related Media

ALBANY, NY (09/25/2014)(readMedia)-- NYSASBO Releases Analysis of School District Spending

The New York State Association of School Business Officials (NYSASBO) released an analysis of school district spending and revenues today.

The study examined school district spending and funding over a ten-year period. The study identified both a shift in the state and local shares of funding for public schools and the disproportionate growth of school spending in non-general education categories.

In 2012-2013, a total of $58 billion in federal, state and local resources was spent to support our almost 700 public school districts, equating to $21,118 per pupil for approximately three million students. Of this support, $8,563 per pupil came from the state. Over the past decade the local share (mostly property taxes) of school district revenue has grown five percent, while the state share has declined four percent and federal aid has declined by almost two percent.

"The state share of education funding has declined and that has put pressure on school districts and taxpayers," said Michael J. Borges, NYSASBO's Executive Director. "Over the past decade, school districts have found it harder to strengthen their general education programs, provide the opportunity for all students to receive a sound basic education, and implement state-of-the-art learning standards," Mr. Borges continued. "We are hopeful that the state's newly found surplus will be used to restore a more equitable share of funding and get our educational system back on track to preparing our students to be college and career ready."

This is the fifth report the Association has released this year on school finances. The previous four reports listed below can be found on our website at www.nysasbo.org.

• The Road Ahead: School District Insolvency. (January 2014)

• Why Do School District Mergers Fail? (April 2014)

• School Spending and Proposed Taxes (May 2014)

• School District Budget Vote Results. (June 2014)