Liv Finne says the question before school board members is not how to get more money for the schools; the question is how to spend this funding in better ways
Liv Finne
Washington Policy Center
I recently gave a presentation at a conference in Bellevue to newly-elected school board members showing the ample funding that public schools receive.
I spoke on a panel about school budgets. The key slide from my Powerpoint is this one:
The rest of my Powerpoint is available here.
These school board members were well informed about school funding when on the next day, November 16th, they attended the Washington State School Directors Association (WSDDA) conference. At the WSSDA conference they were likely introduced to the false narrative that schools do not have enough money.
Public school funding in Washington is ample, and has never been higher. In 2022-23, the public schools spent $19,000 per student on average statewide, more than private school tuition.
The 2023 legislative session added another $3 billion for K-12 schools to the biennial state budget, so per student funding in 2023-24 is likely over $20,000.
The question before school board members is not how to get more money for the schools. The question is how to spend this funding in better ways, so that each child actually receives a quality education.
Liv Finne is the director of the Center for Education at the Washington Policy Center.
Also read:
- Opinion: Washington state paid $8.6 million a year in unnecessary Medicaid premiums
Washington state’s Medicaid program wastes $8.6M annually on duplicate premiums; reforms are needed. - Opinion: Extending the Yellow MAX Line to Vancouver Is TriMet’s worst idea yet
John A. Charles Jr. critiques the Yellow MAX Line extension, urging legislators to remove light rail from the project. - Opinion: Courts blocking the Kroger-Albertson merger won’t stop consumers from making choicesPaul Guppy of Washington Policy Center critiques judicial rulings that block the Kroger-Albertsons merger, citing changing consumer trends and potential job losses.
- Opinion: Workers need money — and the many other gifts work can bringElizabeth New Hovde discusses the value of work, its benefits for workers and employers, and its impact on personal growth.
- How Should Washington Taxpayers Handle TriMet’s Proposed Light Rail Costs? Share Your Thoughts!C-TRAN Board reviews TriMet’s proposal for Washington taxpayers to fund 45% of light rail operating costs, sparking local debate.
