Budget Basics

The total budget for this school year (2011-2012) is about $1.2 billion. That includes:

• $619 million in operational funds
• $427.8 million in capital funds
• $100.7 million from grants
• $37 million for food services
• $16.3 million for transportation
• $4.4 million for instructional materials

Operational vs. Other Funds

Operational

Day-to-day expenses -- everything from employee salaries and benefits to utilities, supplies and maintenance -- are paid for with operational funds, 97% of which come from the state.

Capital Funds

Voters approve property taxes to pay for new school construction, renovations, repairs and technology. By law, these funds cannot be used to cover operational costs such as teacher salaries and benefits.

Grants

APS receives federal, state, city and private grants that have specified uses. They may be used for salaries and benefits of employees providing those services. Grants usually have an expiration date.

Food Services

The food service program is operated under the federally-funded National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act, and the National School Breakfast Act.

Transportation

The state provides funding for student transportation. APS hires contractors to provide buses for students.

Instructional Materials

Each year, the state provides funding for textbooks and other instructional materials.