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Per-pupil spending surprises Most Jackson County districts spend less than Oregon's high average By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune With budgets dwindling, Jackson County educators expressed surprise over a recent study that shows Oregon pays more per pupil than the national average. "It's really hard to believe," said Medford school board member Peggy Penland. The National Center for Education Statistics revealed that $7,357 was the average spent on each pupil in Oregon in 2000-01. This compares to $7,079 nationally, $6,496 in Washington and $6,255 in California. Those figures, which reflect a 20 percent increase in Oregon spending since 1997, include money from state, local and federal sources but not money spent on construction, equipment and interest on debt. In Jackson County, six of the nine districts spent less than the Oregon average and five less than the national average. Penland, whose district spent substantially less than the national average at $6,407 for each of its 12,678 students, said the numbers reflect the commitment Oregon has made to achieving high education standards. It also reflects how much districts have had to shell out for insurance in recent years, she said. The Medford district now devotes more than 10 percent of its $80 million budget to insurance. Southern Oregon has been especially hard hit. "I've heard it called the 'Beirut of Oregon' for insurance," she said. Besides insurance, Oregon's higher-than-average number of small school districts - 300 - has helped drive up the cost per pupil in Oregon. In Jackson County, tiny Pinehurst School District spent $14,560 for each of its 29 students and Prospect $8,712 for each of its 205. Butte Falls Superintendent Clay Dunlap, whose district spent $10,571 per student, agreed that it generally costs more per student to run a small school district than a large one. Increased spending on students in special education and English as a second language programs also have contributed to higher costs per pupil statewide. Compounding the problem are shrinking revenues at Jackson County schools that are not keeping pace with hikes in salary, insurance and energy costs. Some school districts are also suffering from enrollment declines. Ashland schools, which spent $7,187 per student in 2000-2001, plans on cutting its budget by $1.9 million next school year in part because it will see a 50-student drop in enrollment. Phoenix-Talent, which spent $6,595 per pupil, will cut its budget by about $500,000. Medford is planning on cutting 35 to 40 positions to slice $2.4 million out of its budget. Barbara Wolfe, Oregon Department of Education spokeswoman, said this state has nothing to apologize for in paying a slightly higher amount per student than the national average. "Just take a look at our test scores," she said. "We typically are number one or two on SAT and other national tests." The funding levels, she said, reflect the Legislature's goal of having 100 percent of Oregon's students meeting the benchmarks on assessment tests. Last year, the Legislature and governor voted in a $5.2 billion education budget that since has been whittled away because of a recession that has resulted in about $1 billion less in state revenues. "If we want 100 percent of the kids meeting the standards, we have to pay for it," Wolfe said. Medford schools budget director Galen Anderson agreed that the higher numbers reflect the state's investment on education testing. "Oregon has a pretty good track record as far as testing," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.