Is $27 Billion Enough?

Is $27 billion enough money for Pennsylvania's public schools? This is the question policymakers must answer before voting to raise taxes on families, businesses, and entrepreneurs.

According to the most recent figures from the Department of Education, Pennsylvania school districts spent approximately $27.4 billion in 2014-15–an increase of nearly $1.3 billion over the prior year. This amounts to nearly $16,000 per student, which ranks top 10 nationally. 

Notably, school districts added $200 million to their reserve funds in 2014-15, with a combined $4.28 billion in committed, assigned, and unassigned fund balances. 

CF's most recent Policy Memo includes trends on education spending, revenue, pension costs, fund balances, and property taxes. Read the complete memo here.