When I have spoken with superintendents, they have been quick to highlight the increasing costs of fuel and food as budget issues. The Columbia School District actually voted that teachers no longer bring personal appliances to schools because of the electricity costs. The district estimated that alone (fewer coffee makers and refrigerators) would save about $200,000.

There are much bigger costs for districts that are rising faster. For example, the price of paying for a school employee’s retirement package, through the statewide PSRS program. That’s a state requirement that a school district can do nothing about — and school district critics unfortunately often miss that distinction.

But districts can control other things. The number of employees, the salary raises they award for certain types of teacher certification, technology upgrades, etc.

Ideally, money would be spent where it is needed. It would be wonderful to have a blank check for education. But, someone somewhere would have to pay. And I think that the general goal should be to spend money effectively. Some Missouri districts do that, and need more. Others don’t.