"That's why a lot of legislators are frustrated," Jerman said. "They were hoping to get some accolades last year ... and all they heard was that the Legislature was cutting education spending."

The money going to schools, however, isn't making any visible change in some things dear to parents, students and teachers, perhaps deepening the perception.

Utah's average per-student spending went up more than 70 percent to $5,092 per student by 2003, but it remains the lowest in the country. It would take $461 million just to get to second-to-last place, and $1.6 billion to get to the national average of $8,468 per student.

Utah's average teacher salary rose 22 percent in the past decade to $39,456, but the national ranking has moved only from 42nd to 38th.

Class sizes remain the nation's largest, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Considering that $243 million of the $700 million in new state money over the decade came just last year, it's no surprise its effects aren't evident yet, Kroes said.

Exactly where did it go?

More than 90 percent went to maintaining the system, from giving teachers money to keep up with the cost of living to rising insurance and energy costs, the State Office of Education reports.

Enrollment climbed 9 percent in the past decade to about 515,000 students, but the rolls are expected to grow by 150,000 in the next 10 years, the State Office of Education reports.

"Public education is a huge enterprise, with more than 40,000 direct employees in the state of Utah. We serve half a million children each school day," said Patrick Ogden, state associate superintendent. "When we're talking those kind of numbers, it takes a large amount of money just to keep the system afloat."

The State Board of Education says it needs an increase of more than $341 million to keep up next year. It wants an overall 20 percent funding increase to address student achievement and a teacher shortage, among other initiatives.

The amount is close to the governor's proposal for an 18.2 percent hike.

That kind of cash could be in the cards, considering this year's surplus and new money. But a chunk of it — proposals have ranged from $100 million to $300 million — is likely to be returned to the people via tax cuts. Other state agencies are clamoring for new money, too. And with the growth wave, Kroes believes it will be extra tough to give schools enough money to make big financial gains.

Is there any way to get ahead?

Many on Capitol Hill say they want more money for schools. It's just that it might come with strings.