How much does it cost to educate a student in South Orange-Maplewood public schools? $17,895, according to the N.J. School Report Card 2010-11.

NJ Spotlight’s latest interactive map looks at per-pupil spending in school districts across the state.

The map ranks K-12 or K-8 districts by total overall spending. By clicking on a municipality, the data for its primary school district is available.

The data include the percentage of a district’s revenues that came from local taxes and state aid last year, and the amount spent per pupil in several key areas -- classroom instruction, support services, administration, operations and extracurricular activities – as well as the comparative budget total, which excludes such items as transportation that not all districts have, and grand total.

The data shows that $8,269 is spent on classroom instruction in South Orange-Maplewood schools per student. Other findings for the South Orange-Maplewood School District:

Revenues from local taxes: 89%
Revenues from state aid: 9%

PER PUPIL SPENDING:
Classroom instruction: $8,269
Support services: $2,189
Administration: $1,439
Operations: $1,734
Extracurricular: $173
Comparable Budget Total: $13,853
Grand Total: $17,895

The state this year changed the way it reported total per-pupil spending to include items not previously calculated, including employee pension contributions. State officials say this paints a more accurate picture of costs, and they have revised prior data to allow for accurate year-to-year calculations

The New Jersey School Boards Association, however, says it is inappropriate to compare districts using the state’s total calculation because pension costs, special education, transportation and other specialized services can vary wildly among districts and can skew the totals, according to spokesman Frank Belluscio.

Most districts – including South Orange-Maplewood -- spent less per pupil in 2010-11 than in 2009-10, in part because of tough state-imposed spending caps and aid.

Read the full story and use the map @ NJ Spotlight: Interactive Map.

NJ Spotlight is an online news service providing insight and information on issues critical to New Jersey.