What Are School Taxes Used For?

School taxes cover many learning-related expenses.

States have different methods of collecting taxes to fund schools, but all use taxes in one form or another. Many areas also have local taxes used to support schools, plus there are federal programs that provide money. Although certain types of funds may be earmarked for specific projects, such as for new books or student meals, in general the funds are pooled together and used as needed to fund the normal activities of the school system.

Capital Expenses

School buses are a necessary part of most school systems.

A significant portion of school tax money is used to pay for acquiring and maintaining school buildings. Tax money pays for purchasing land and building new schools. It also covers repairing existing classrooms and repairing or renting temporary facilities such as portable classrooms and offices. Other capital expenses include purchasing or leasing buses. School taxes also fund repair and maintenance of school properties and vehicles.

Salaries

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a significant amount of school tax money is used to pay salaries for school personnel. This includes teachers, which are the largest part of the salary expense in most districts. Additional salaries are paid to school administrators at every level and support staff such as secretaries, janitors and maintenance personnel.

Operations

School sports such as wrestling are sometimes paid for with tax money.

School tax money pays for day-to-day operations within the school system. Special programs are an important part of school operations and are often funded separately from basic operating expenses, though still with tax money. In Nebraska, for example, special-education programs are paid for in the year after expenses are incurred, rather than at the time the services are performed, though teachers in these programs are paid normally. Free or discounted breakfast and lunch programs, extracurricular activities such as sports and music, libraries, classroom books and materials, desks, chairs, and tables are just some of the things covered with tax dollars.

References

• U.S. Census Bureau: Public School Finance Data
• Open Books Project: Oregon State Financial Data
• State of Nebraska: Program Description of State Aid to Schools