[Vision2020] Pullman vs Moscow

[Jeff Harkins]

After reading numerous posts regarding the upcoming school levy vote 
and noting that many have questioned the validity of a comparison 
between Moscow and Pullman school districts, I have compiled some 
data that may facilitate that dialogue.  I recall one or more posters 
saying that comparing the two school districts is like comparing 
apples and oranges.

That may be closer to reality than one thinks.  I am surprised that 
our resident botanists, nutritionists and/or arborists have not 
weighed in on this.  They (the apples and oranges, not the botanists) 
are both fruit, they are both healthy foods, they both offer 
significant nutritional value, they are both round, they both grow on 
trees and some of them are even the same color. ;-))

In all seriousness, I have compiled some stats on both Moscow and 
Pullman (from the respective state sites) and here it is.  I think 
even the most entrenched in their positions will agree that there is 
a great deal in common between the two districts.  All the data is 
for the fiscal year 2005-06.  I had hoped to use FY 07 data, but the 
Moscow district has not released their audited financial statements 
for FY 07 (they were due on or about October 1st, 2007).

				Moscow		Pullman

FTE Enrollment		2434			2179
Total expenditures		$20,618,739		$17,438,662
Total expenditures per pupil	8,471.13		8,001.48
Total revenues			$19,885,608		$17,321,528
Total revenues per pupil	8,169.93		7,947.73
Local tax per pupil		3,795.27		1,553.02
Local, non-tax per pupil	   424.69		   293.30
State per pupil			3,426.72		5,583.80
Federal per pupil		   523.24		   512.74
Ending fund balance		$1,700,000 (est)		$1,212,215

Please study the data, if you find an error, it will be in my typing 
and I will take full responsibility - and make a correction.  Now 
also note that the data for Moscow is before the M&O tax was removed 
from the table and replaced by the 1% sales tax allocation. It would 
be appropriate to ask how much MSD received from the sales tax 
allocation - unfortunately that data is contained in the annual 
audited financial statement, which has not yet been released by 
MSD.  I will peruse around the state site to see if I can discover 
that information.

A quick read of the performance stats suggests both districts do a 
good job.  I have personal experience with both districts as my 
daughter did K-10 in Moscow and 11 & 12 in Pullman.

Hope this helps some of you better understand the financial elements 
of the respective districts.  Yes, it does raise lots of questions.