Osceola reports highest expenditures per student in state of Arkansas

Are local students “getting their bang for the buck?” This seems to be the pressing question after the state board of education recently released its Arkansas Annual Statistical Report showing the Osceola School District at the top of the list.

The report, for the 2023-24 school year, shows the average per pupil expenditure is $13,326. Osceola came in first, among the 234 school districts, reporting $25,453 being spent per student with an average daily attendance of 761.

Blytheville, $19,323; Armorel, $16,781; and Ridgecrest, $14,280, also all reported above average expenditures. Reporting below the state average were Gosnell, $12,660, and Manila, $11,726.

Do these numbers correspond with total revenues? Total revenue reported (2023-24) includes: Armorel, $11,687,699; Blytheville, $28,925,465; Ridgecrest, $16,982,132; Gosnell, $17,739,573; Manila, $13,171,862; and Osceola, $23,691,119.

The Times will continue researching this story.