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Show Per Capita School Cosfs Above Average in Grand "Total operating costs of Utah schools increased from $71,884,313 to $187,101,964, or 160 percent in the 10 yeais since 1961." the Utah Taxpayers Tax-payers Association said today "The costs do not include funds spent for capital outlay and debt service,'' the UTA Bulletin noted. "Per capita costs in Grand district were $702.49 compar- ed with the state average of $652.40," said the bulletin. Alpine School District had the state's lowest per pupil costs with $571.76. Murray was next with $595.28. Daggett Dag-gett District had the highest cost - $1,573.54. Uta claims that the teacher teach-er pupil ratio is the most important item in determining determin-ing school operating costs When the ratio drops just one point, it costs taxpayers an additional $lfi million. According Ac-cording to the Association, in the past 10 years the ratio has dropped 12 per cent, form 26.8 to 23.6. This cut in the teacher -- pupil ratio means that 1,427 more teachers are now being used to teach a similar number num-ber of pupils. The teacher - pupil ratio in Grand was 22.7 compared to state average 23.6. i Daggett had the lowest ratio ra-tio with 13.0 and Nebo the highest with 28.3 Washington had 27.1. The UTA Bulletin further noted that 1970-71 average salaries sal-aries of classroom teachers in Utah were $8,048, or $894 per month for time actuat'y worked. Grand average salary sal-ary was $7,859. Association analysts said that fringe benefits - retirement, retire-ment, social security, and insurance in-surance - cost taxpayers an additional $16.6 million. This is equivalent to about $7!)3 for every school employee. Adding this to the 894 per month would put monthly av erage teacher salaries at near $982. By district, average salaries salar-ies range from a low of $7, 155 in Daggett and $7,333 in Duchesne to highs of $8,587 in South Summit followed by $8,579 in Box Elder. |