Spending on public schools, which accounts for more than 40 percent of the state budget, is projected to increase by more than $440 million to more than $11 billion during the next two years.

That doesn't include additional money for school class sizes and other programs required by Initiative 728. Putting in the money for that initiative would add nearly $140 million to the budget.

School districts get more than two-thirds of their money from the state. The rest comes from federal, local and other sources.

Because the public-schools budget is so huge, even small percentage changes in costs can add up to big increases in the state budget. Factors driving up costs in education include a growing number of students and increased costs for fuel.