Census: Montana ranks 28th in school spending

Montana’s school districts ranked 28th nationally in the amount of money they spent per student in 2001, but only four states were more dependent on federal aid for their elementary and secondary schools, a new report by the U.S. Census Bureau shows.

By BOB ANEZ, Associated Press Writer Independent Record

The agency reported Montana’s per-pupil spending of $6,671 represented about 91 percent of the national average spending of $7,284. New York had the highest spending level of $10,922 and Utah was the lowest at $4,625 per student.

Over the previous five years, Montana schools increased their spending per student by $1,464, or 28 percent. That nearly matched what happened nationally, where the average increase of $1,628 per pupil was almost a 29 percent growth.

The state’s ranking changed little since 1996, when it was 29th nationally in spending.

Montana schools spent a total of about $1.04 billion in the 2000-01 school year. Only Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming spent less, the report showed.

Montana’s per-pupil spending on teacher salaries in 2001 was $2,294, lower than 37 other states. The state lost ground in spending on teacher wages since 1996, when the rate was $2,359 per student and the state ranked 31st.

At the same time, the rate of spending on general school district administration climbed from $168 per student to $204. Montana ranked 13th in such spending in 2001.

Montana schools received $832 per pupil in federal funding during 2001, the fifth-highest amount in the country and $226 above the national average, the Census Bureau said. The state ranked sixth in federal aid five years earlier, getting $546 per student.

The increase over that period was 52 percent in Montana and 46 percent nationwide.

Montana was below average in its dependence on other sources of money in 2001.

The state’s share of school funding amounted to $3,473 per student, placing Montana 38th in the nation. In 1996, school districts averaged $2,732 per student in state aid, the 34th highest rate.

Nationally, state aid was funneled to schools at the rate of $4,253 per student in 2001, or 22 percent more than in Montana.

Local taxes supplied money at the rate of $3,011 per Montana student in 2001, the 27th highest amount in the country. The national average was $3,662.

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