From “Table 34” in the 50 STATE COMPARISONS, 2006 Edition, published annually by The Taxpayers Network, it appears as though Utah’s 2005 national ranking for “Public School Expenditure Per Pupil,” is once again 51^st of all the states (table includes Washington DC). 

In 2005, Utah spent $5,245 per pupil overall.  This number reflects a $229 lag behind #50 Arizona, who spent $5,474 per pupil AND $3,373 per pupil behind the National average of $8,618.  Washington DC, is ranked #1 in per pupil spending at $15,073 ($9,828 above Utah).  (50 State’s Comparisons)

Utah’s population estimate for 2005 was 2,469,585 (50 State’s Comparisons)

Utah’s 2005, K-12 student population was 510,012—20.7% of total population (LRGC)

Approximately 1,000,000 “households” filed Personal Income Tax forms for 2005 (some are married filing jointly).

So, let’s run some numbers to get us out of 51^st position:

To get Utah from 51^st to 50^th, 1 Million “taxpayers” would have to fork over about $116.81 each per year [$229 x 510,012 / 1M], and…

To get Utah from 51^st to the National Average, 1 Million “taxpayers” would have to reach into their wallets to the tune of about $1,720.28 each per year [$3,373 x 510,012 / 1M], and…

To get Utah from 51^st to #1, 1 Million “taxpayers” would have to cough up a grand total of about $5,012.40 each per year [$9,828 x 510,012 / 1M].

So, here’s the problem…education funding in Utah will never be…well…enough.

Utah House Republicans have committed to putting an additional $300M in “extra” money toward Public Education funding.