a:1:{s:15:"field_blog_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:1600:"<p>Who knew what we really needed to solve our &quot;overcrowded&quot; classrooms was moving vans? From the <a href="http://www.mackinac.org/13243">Mackinac Center for Public Policy</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Michigan public schools received and spent more money per pupil in 2008-2009 than in any previous year for which figures are available, according to new data from the Michigan Department of Education.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For the bargain-basement price of $13,000, we can educate your child. Oddly enough, the $19.59 billion was $200 million less than the previous year, but so many students are leaving Michigan, the per student cost increased $200.</p>
<p>Union teachers and bureaucrats must love this trend. Finally, we can spend the money where it should go - teacher benefits:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Per-pupil spending for instructional salaries and benefits rose by 3.1 and 3.7 percent, respectively. Overall instructional costs increased by 3.9 percent. School administration costs also increased: On a per-pupil basis, salaries and benefits paid to principals were each up by 2 percent, and overall spending on superintendents and top administrators increased slightly.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>If this trend continues, maybe we can have one teacher for every five students and the teachers will make $1 million a year, since there is so much whining, crying, and screaming whenever the hint of a cut to education funding pops up. I wonder what the next complaint for the MEA would be when all the Michigan students leave? Every teacher can only afford one Ferrari?<br />
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