Spending to educate public school students in Montana increased by more than $1,200 per pupil during the last year.
The data are part of report cards released by the state’s top education office reviewing achievement, enrollment and graduation rates across the state and in individual schools and districts.
During the 2020-2021 school year, per-pupil spending across Montana was nearly $13,000, although that amount varies by school or district.
Montana Office of Public Instruction Communication Director Brian O’Leary attributes last year’s increase in spending to an emergency boost in federal funding disbursed to schools during the pandemic.