What does per-pupil spending include?

Per-pupil spending (operating expenditure per pupil) includes teacher and staff salaries, benefits, instructional materials, building maintenance, transportation, and administrative costs. It does not include capital construction or debt service payments.

Why do some districts spend more per pupil than others?

Spending differences reflect local property tax wealth, student population needs (special education and English learner services cost more), labor market conditions (suburban districts often pay higher salaries), building age and maintenance needs, and transportation costs for geographically larger districts.

What are the main revenue sources for school districts?

School districts receive funding from three main sources: local property taxes, state aid, and federal grants like Title I and IDEA. The exact mix varies significantly by district wealth and student demographics.

Tacoma, WA School Spending Per Pupil — Revenue & Expenditures

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School Spending — 2025i

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How your school districts spend money and where revenue comes from.

Tacoma School DistrictTraditional · 58,062 students

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Franklin Pierce School DistrictTraditional · 14,530 students

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Fife School DistrictTraditional · 4,576 students

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Quillayute Valley School DistrictTraditional · 1,279 students

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Puyallup School DistrictTraditional · 1,249 students

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Bates Technical CollegeTraditional · 686 students

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Impact | Commencement Bay ElementaryTraditional · 470 students

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Summit Public School: OlympusTraditional · 224 students

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