New Index Demystifies School Budgets, Targets Montana Next

BOISE, ID — The Mountain States Policy Center (MSPC) has released what it calls the nation’s first Public School Transparency Index, a tool designed to simplify and spotlight K–12 school finance data for the public.

Focusing first on Idaho, the Index compiles detailed data from more than 100 school districts, including spending per student, teacher-to-student ratios, average salaries, and financial transparency levels. According to the Center, it’s a step toward helping taxpayers and lawmakers determine whether districts are allocating resources effectively—particularly in the classroom.

Future editions of the Index will cover Montana, Wyoming, and Washington. Montana’s data is not yet included.

“School budgets are often hundreds of pages long and filled with jargon that most parents and even some school officials struggle to understand,” said MSPC President Chris Cargill. “Transparency doesn’t mean much if it’s not understandable.”

The Index’s early findings raise red flags about financial clarity and administrative spending. Only seven Idaho school districts spend less than $10,000 per student annually when all funds are included. Meanwhile, fewer than one-third of districts have a workforce composed of at least 50% teachers. In 17 districts, the superintendent earns more than the Governor of Idaho, who is paid $151,400 per year.

Despite wide variations in spending, MSPC found no clear correlation between district spending levels and improved student outcomes.

The Center is calling for lawmakers to adopt a Public School Transparency Act that would require every school district to publish six key figures on both the first page of their budget and the homepage of their website:

1. Total dollars spent (local, state, and federal)
2. Per-student spending
3. Percentage of spending that reaches the classroom
4. Average administrator salary and benefits
5. Average teacher salary and benefits
6. Ratio of administrators to teachers to students

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield has expressed support for the idea, saying it would help schools build trust with their communities.

“Let’s face it, school budgets tend to be complex,” Critchfield said. “This is a step that helps simplify the way they’re communicated publicly.”

MSPC says most of the data already exists in budget documents but is buried or inconsistently presented. Making it public in a clear, digestible format would require minimal effort, they argue, and would serve both taxpayers and schools.

The Index is available online, for download, and in print via Amazon. Full versions covering Montana, Wyoming, and Washington are expected in the coming year.