Lost in all the discussion about the financial crises facing area schools is the fact that Leelanau and other area schools receive much less per pupil than some downstate districts. Since school funding depends largely on a per-pupil allowance received from the state, of course enrollments are key. But how much a district gets for each pupil is also important.

Traverse City and Leelanau schools receive about $6700 per year per pupil. But some downstate districts like Bloomfield Hills and Farmington receive almost twice as much. It's an arrangement that can be "explained, not justified," according to this article in the Oakland Press.

Update 5/10/06: Update: The Record-Eagle has a thoughtful editorial on this issue.