According to your Taxpayers Association’s School Spending Report, Utah spends an average of $9,932 per student annually. The annual School Spending Report looks at spending from all 41 school districts and combined charter school expenditures.
The report finds that Utah’s district schools spent $9,795 per student, with 14 school districts spending less than the statewide district average. 26 school districts spent more than $10,000 per student in FY 2019, with two districts (Garfield and Daggett) spending more than $20,000.
Utah’s 112 charter schools spent $1,178 more than the 41 districts, at $10,973 per student, however, a big chunk of the spending is in administration. Looking at administrative expenses, Utah district schools spent $850 per student, whereas charters spent $1,215 annually per student, a difference of $365.
Utah’s districts also vary widely with the property tax rates (increments) they impose on their taxpayers. Some school districts, like Park City, levy 52% of the statewide average, while South Sanpete levies 150% above the statewide average. However, Park City and several other districts benefit hugely from their property tax base. Park City, for example, has very high property tax values with many properties not exempt from the primary residential exemption. Therefore, they generate much more revenue from higher-valued property. This allows them to have much lower tax rates than South Sanpete or Tooele, for example.
Additionally, Park City School District has an assessed valuation per student of $3,261,364. Compare that with South Sanpete at $207,204, which only has 1,500 fewer students than Park City.
To see how your school district fares, or visit utahtaxpayers.org.