Is Nebraska Spending Enough On Education?

Every two years, the Nebraska Legislature crafts a massive state budget. This is one of those years.

The so-called mainstream news media will spotlight controversial parts of the budget -- like proposals to build a new penitentiary or giving more dollars to K-12 school districts to offset local property taxes. That's what gets eyeballs.

But the news media do a horrible job of informing Nebraskans on the basics of our state government's spending plan. Did you know your state tax dollars (primarily income and sales taxes) are being spent to the tune of $4,741,682,111. (See the Ricketts administration's budget briefing book here.)

Roughly 40% of that $4.7 billion goes to education. That's not enough for the teacher unions or the left-of-center social groups. That's not enough for the lobbyists who are paid with taxpayer dollars. (See this list and look at Lincoln Public Schools and Omaha Public Schools, as well as Omaha's suburban public schools.)

At last check, Nebraska's statewide per-pupil cost was an average $13,183. Here's what every public school in the state is spending per pupil.

Nebraska is in the top one-third of states for per-pupil spending. In fact, the Cornhusker State spends more on K-12 education than any other "Republican state" except Alaska and North Dakota.

Of course, the majority of K-12 education is still being funded by local property taxes, which is fair. Your kids, your school district -- you should get the pleasure of funding most of it. (See your local school budget using this tool.)

This report in no way implies that high levels of education funding are not worthwhile. But considering how much is being spent, shouldn't the results be better? Shouldn't Nebraska's kids be graduating with more skills, while being completely sufficient in math, science, reading and using the written word? 

If you are concerned about how much is being spent by your local school district, and haven't taken time to speak with your local school board members or attend a school board meeting, you know who to blame. Just look in the mirror.