Arizona’s classroom spending less than US average

A state report says Arizona’s school districts spend less of their operating fund in the classroom than the national average.

According to an Auditor General’s Office report, Arizona districts in the 2009-2010 school year spent 55.9 percent of their total operating dollars in the classroom. That’s about 5 percentage points less than the 60.8 percent national average.

The report also says Arizona districts spent a lower percentage on administration than the national average but a higher percentage on facility operations and student support costs such as counselors and social workers.