Hawai'i spends below U.S. average on students
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer
Hawai'i spends less than the national average on its public school students, according to a survey released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The figures, based on the 1999-2000 school year, show that while Hawai'i spent $6,487 per student, the national average was $6,835 per student.
Hawai'i was ranked 26th out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., in per-pupil spending.
The ranking comes as no surprise to Hawai'i educators who have watched the state for years stay in the middle of the pack in national per-pupil spending comparisons.
"We know that we fall about the middle," said Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen. "That does not tell the whole story of education, but it is a key indicator for us. It gives us a sense of what others are doing across the country."
The figures listed in the survey take into account everything from teachers' salaries to costs to run after-school and special-education programs. They do not include money to build classrooms or make repairs.
The Census Bureau survey also does not adjust for cost of living, prompting Hawai'i educators to argue that the state ranking would likely drop toward the bottom if the state's high cost of living were considered.
New Jersey and New York, both with per-pupil costs topping $10,000, spent the most per student, while Nevada spent the least, with $4,331 per pupil, according to the survey.
But State Rep. K. Mark Takai, D-34th (Waimalu, Newtown, Pearl City), said that with some of the state's education spending being funneled through the Department of Health, the Office of Budget and Finance and the Department of Accounting and General Services, the amount that Hawai'i spends per pupil might actually be higher than the Census numbers show.
"My guess is that the $6,400 number is actually less than what we are spending per pupil in Hawai'i," Takai said.
Takai also said it's difficult to compare Hawai'i's statewide system, where services are spread throughout various agencies, to other states, which have hundreds or even thousands of individual school districts that handle all of the education responsibilities.
The Census figures, taken from spending in the 1999-2000 school year, are the most recent available, but a shortfall in state budgets across the country could change the national school financing landscape in coming years.
"There's clearly pressure on state budgets, and since education is the single largest line item in every state budget, there's pressure on education budgets," said David Shreve of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
He said 17 states cut education money in their 2002 budgets, while 12 have already cut it in their 2003 budgets.
In Hawai'i, DOE officials have bemoaned the fact that while their budget increased, their fixed costs — everything from rent to the electric bills — increased more. They say the Legislature left them about $24 million short for the next fiscal year.
The state's education spending will increase from $1.28 billion this year to about $1.3 billion in the next school year. Separately, the Legislature has budgeted $75 million for the teacher pay raises negotiated in the most recent contract.
Still, Takai said legislators would like to give more to the Department of Education.
"If we have additional resources, the priority is always education," Takai said. "We're faced with a $350 million shortfall because of what happened in September. This year is very tough."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
