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In fiscal year 2007, Arizona school
districts’ state-wide classroom dollar percentage was 57.9 percent, which
continues a 3-year downward trend. Despite the infusion over the past 6
years of significant state-provided resources directed largely to the
classroom, Arizona’s classroom dollar percentage continues to lag more than
3 percentage points behind the national average of 61.2 percent. Arizona’s
classroom dollar percentage could have been higher. If districts had
continued spending their resources as they did in fiscal year 2001, the
additional Proposition 301 and Indian Gaming monies could have raised the
State’s classroom dollar percentage to 59.7 percent. However, Arizona school
districts’ spending patterns over the past few years indicate districts are
likely using Proposition 301 monies to supplant other district monies, and
therefore the gap between Arizona districts’ “actual” and “potential”
classroom dollar percentages continues to grow.
Compared to national averages, Arizona
school districts continue to spend a higher percentage of their dollars on
plant costs, student support services, and food services, and a lower
percentage on administrative costs. Within Arizona, the primary factor
associated with higher classroom dollar percentages continues to be larger
student populations. Conversely, higher plant, administrative, student
support, and transportation costs were the most significant factors
associated with lower classroom dollar percentages. Also within Arizona,
higher per-pupil spending does not equate to higher classroom dollar
percentages. In fact, districts that spend the most per pupil have lower
classroom dollar percentages, on average.
Proposition 301 monies
continue to be spent primarily for increasing teacher pay. On average, these
monies represented 11 percent of teacher salaries and ranged from $924 to
$8,203. In fiscal year 2007, the state-wide average teacher salary increased
by only $866. This amount could have been higher. However, as noted above,
districts are likely using Proposition 301 monies to supplant other district
monies.
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