PHX Reporter

State Representative Matt Gress, who chairs the House Education Committee, has expressed concern over findings from the latest Arizona Auditor General report on classroom spending. The report indicates that despite a $519 million increase in total spending from the previous year, instructional spending has decreased for the third consecutive year. Currently, only 52.6% of operational spending is directed towards classroom instruction, marking a record low.

The report states: "The FY 2024 State-wide Instructional Spending Percentage is the lowest it has been since we began monitoring in FY 2001, despite total operational spending reaching an all-time high of $10.54 billion."

Chairman Gress commented on the situation: "Arizona school districts have more resources today than ever before," noting that "the state’s $16 billion K-12 education program provides more than $15,000 per pupil." He criticized district leadership for allocating funds to areas other than instruction and highlighted that school districts collectively hold $7.8 billion in ending fund balances.

According to the report, 120 out of 206 school districts reduced their classroom spending as a percentage of operational costs. While average teacher pay increased in most districts, 38% experienced a decrease, potentially due to changes in staffing with less experienced teachers replacing seasoned ones. The percentage of teachers with four or more years of experience fell from 82% to 78%.

Chairman Gress said: "While I’m encouraged that average teacher pay continues to slowly rise, our school districts should be doing much more for our teachers." He pointed out that if districts allocated the same percentage to classroom instruction as they did two decades ago, an additional $624 million could be available for teacher salaries.

Matt Gress represents Legislative District 4 in Phoenix and serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Education.

Information from this article can be found here.