New York state has hit a new benchmark in education spending, reaching an average per-pupil cost of $23,091 in 2017 according to the latest census data.

That’s closing in on twice the national average, even as the number of students is falling.

Much of the growth in spending is in salaries and other personnel costs, which for unionized school employees typically entails built-in longevity raises. Rising employee health insurance rates also have been cited as a cost driver.

Other studies have illustrated the rising trend as well. According to the Citizens Budget Commission, a spending watchdog group, overall school district revenues between 2006-07 and 2016-17, increased $20 billion, which was 41 percent. That was twice the inflation rate.