When you buy a new backpack, or a ruler for your math project, your family pays for it. But who pays for the rest of the stuff at school—like school buses, books or computers? If you attend public school, the money that keeps your school running comes from the local, state and federal government. Most of the money comes from your local government. City officials have to balance school funds with other local needs, such as paying for police officers, or repairing roads. Your school also gets some help from the state government, which pays your town a certain amount of money for each student it has. The federal government also pitches in with money for special projects, such as computers.
	What does the government have to do with your school? Click on the different parts of the picture to find out. No homework—we promise!

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