Everyone agrees. World-class education is the key to the future. For our children. For our businesses. And for our state.
But are we investing enough in education? Or are we short-changing our future? The answer is a matter of opinion – heated political debate – and location.
During the 2008-09 school year, Minnesota schools will receive an average of $9,063 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources. But every teacher, student and parent knows that no district is average. That’s certainly true when it comes to state and local funding.
State funding alone ranges from roughly $7,000 to $11,000 per student.
Locally approved referenda can add anywhere from $0 to more than $2,500 per student.
This fall, as legislative candidates and others talk about how much or how little we spend on education, keep in mind that the facts and figures are different – in some cases dramatically different – for each of Minnesota’s more than 340 school districts.
Do the Math MN will help you see – with three easy charts – state and local funding trends in your school district. The data comes from the Minnesota Department of Education's 14 Year General Education Revenues FY 1996 - FY 2009.
Below is a list of metropolitan area and greater Minnesota school districts. Click on each of them to view the charts and some basic analysis of the trends for that district. If your district doesn’t appear below, you can find it on the pull-down menu.
During the 2008-09 school year, Minnesota school districts will receive an average of $9,063 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources. State funding per student will average of $8,182. Referenda revenue per student will average $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Minneapolis will receive $11,692 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $10,797 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue total $895 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, St. Paul will receive $10,809 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $10,039 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $770 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Anoka-Hennepin will receive $9,186 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,847 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,339 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Bloomington will receive $9,199 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,036 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,162 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Brooklyn Center will receive $9,384 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $9,047 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $337 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Burnsville will receive $10,236 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,473 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,763 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Centennial will receive $8,718 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,941 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $778 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Chaska will receive $8,887 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,648 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,239 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Columbia Heights will receive $10,139 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $9,033 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,106 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Eden Prairie will receive $9,188 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,793 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,394 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Edina will receive $9,006 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,252 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,754 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Elk River will receive $8,257 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,436 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $821 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Farmington will receive $8,306 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,628 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $678 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Fridley will receive $9,452 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,494 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $957 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Hopkins will receive $10,107 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,337 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,770 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Inver Grove Heights will receive $8,875 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,864 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,011 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Lakeville will receive $8,443 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,497 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue total $946 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Minnetonka will receive $9,747 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,725 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $2,022 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Mounds View will receive $10,027 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,278 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,749 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, North St. Paul will receive $9,355 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,341 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,014 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Orono will receive $8,871 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,454 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue total $1,417 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Osseo will receive $10,145 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,741 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,404 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Richfield will receive $9,944 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,677 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,267 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Robbinsdale will receive $9,171 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,196 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $975 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Roseville will receive $9,785 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,980 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,806 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Shakopee will receive $8,394 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,759 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $635 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $9,201 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,280 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $922 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $8,593 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,508 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,085 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $8,647 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,748 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $899 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $8,507 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,416 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,091 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $8,626 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,623 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,003 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $8,222 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,735 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $487 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $10,050 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,290 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,760 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $9,095 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,483 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,612 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $9,406per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,065 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,341 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, South St. Paul will receive $9,400 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,783 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,616 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Albert Lea will receive $9,728 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,569 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,159 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Austin will receive $9,125 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,284 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $842 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Bemidji will receive $9,229 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,588 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $641 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Brainerd will receive $8,460 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,248 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $212 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Crookston will receive $8,814 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,128 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $686 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Duluth will receive $8,861 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,322 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $539 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Fairmont will receive $8,838 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,240 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $598 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Faribault will receive $8,757 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,270 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $487 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Inver Grove Heights will receive $8,135 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,673 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $462 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Hibbing will receive $8,466 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,669 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $796 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, International Falls will receive $8,915 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,146 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $769 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Mankato will receive $8,553 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,820 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $733 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Marshall will receive $8,827 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,068 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $759 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Moorhead will receive $8,514 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,467 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $47 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, New Ulm will receive $8,679 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,788 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $891 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Owatonna will receive $8,509 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,679 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $830 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Red Wing will receive $8,678 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,970 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $708 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Rochester will receive $8,128 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $7,592 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $536 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, St. Cloud will receive $9,080 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,967 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $113 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Willmar will receive $9,008 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,434 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $574 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Winona will receive $10,346 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,397 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,950 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
During the 2008-09 school year, Worthington will receive $9,795 per student in general education revenue from state and local sources, compared with a statewide average of $9,063. State funding is $8,554 per student, compared to a statewide average of $8,182. Referenda revenue totals $1,241 per student, compared to a state average of $881.
Note: The information on this site reflects more than 90% of school district general fund revenue, including special education. Federal aid is the largest funding stream not included here. Education funding involves a complex relationship between state government and local school districts. We've tried to keep this simple. For example, the phrase "state aid" refers to school funding decisions made by state lawmakers. Historically, this has been a mix of state and local dollars. However, since 2003 "state aid" has been almost exclusively state money. In fact, "state aid" currently is 97% state dollars. Similarly, "locally approved operating levies" refers to referendum levies (property taxes) approved by voters. This, too, however, can be a mix of state and local dollars, because the state provides "referendum aid" to districts with lower property wealth.
The charts compare per-student revenue to the overall rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is a widely understood measure of inflation as it applies to the general public. Since funding for education is shouldered by taxpayers, it seems appropriate to measure the growth in state and local support for our schools against the CPI. In addition, the statutory authority enabling school districts to annually increase referendum revenues by the rate of inflation uses the Consumer Price Index. For another look at district revenue compared to inflation, see "School District Revenue History". For more detailed information about school funding in Minnesota, see:
