Stats that Stick: April 11, 2012

Millions of dollars to be returned to Missouri public education programs: 6.8

Republican Governor Jay Nixon moved to restore about $6.8 million previously cut from Missouri’s public education programs thanks to a boost in lottery sales from the recent record-high Mega Millions jackpot. The governor’s administration said it's providing $5 million for K-12 transportation assistance.

Billions in dollars of in outstanding debt accumulated by California schools from borrowing: 9.4.

For the past decade governors and state lawmakers in California who were desperate to close deficits have adopted budgets that use a little-noticed accounting gimmick called a “deferral” to borrow money from K-12 schools and pay it back in the next fiscal year. The cumulative outstanding debt: $9.4 billion to K-12 schools statewide and $600 million to San Diego County districts.

Number of Students on the waiting list for New York City public school kindergartens: 2400

More than 2,400 children are on waiting lists to get into kindergarten classes at their zoned New York City public schools in September -- partly as a result of an increase in applications, city officials said. The state’s Department of Education says it received 62,287 kindergarten applications — 600 more than last year.