Recently released federal data confirm what many people already know: The salaries and benefits of teachers, administrators, and support staff consume the vast majority of spending in education.
Salaries and benefits make up a combined 80 percent of school spending, according to the Condition of Education 2017 report, published by the National Center for Education Statistics. Eleven percent goes to purchased services, such as professional development and food, and 8 percent toward supplies, from textbooks to heating oil.
Total spending in the K-12 system stood at $634 billion, or $11,222 per student for the 2013-14 year.
