Posted 4:17 PM by Susan Darst Williams

OPS Spending Per Pupil Up 37% in Eight Years

The Omaha Public Schools increased its spending by $1,863.19 per pupil in eight years, a 37 percent increase, according to online financial records of the Nebraska State Department of Education.

In the 1992-93 school year, OPS was spending $5,051.76 per pupil based on average daily attendance.

In the 2000-01 school year, the most recent one posted online, that had increased to $6,914.95 per pupil.

See for yourself: http://ess.nde.state.ne.us/SchoolFinance/AFR/search/afr.htm

Enrollment during the eight-year period grew by a minimal amount, so substantially more students to serve isn't why spending increased.

Spending increased because nobody's putting the brakes on OPS. But voters will have a chance Nov. 5, with the multimillion dollar tax increase OPS has put on the ballot.

The evidence is clear: more spending does not equate to more learning. On the other hand, better-managed spending will produce better student achievement.

So what message should we send OPS on Nov. 5?

Spend more? Or spend what we're already giving you more wisely?


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Donate (confidentiality guaranteed) to Go Big Ed's ad campaign against the OPS tax increase:

Susan Williams
P.O. Box 995
Elkhorn, NE 68022

Thanks!