KEY POINTS:
The head of New Zealand's biggest school claims the Government "over-inflated" figures in an announcement about increases to school funding.
Education Minister Chris Carter's pre-Budget announcement of a rise in operations-grant funding on Wednesday used Rangitoto College as an example, saying a large secondary school such as the North Shore college "will see its operational funding increase from $1,983,570 in 1999 to $3,993,326 next year".
The commitment of $171.6 million over four years - the biggest increase since 2001 - is about a 5 per cent rise.
But principal David Hodge said the figure given for the decile 10 school next year was wrong. If correct, it would be a 12.7 per cent rise on this year's figure of $3,542,281.
"I do object to the minister using Rangitoto College figures where - how can I put this nicely? - his mathematics simply just don't add up," Mr Hodge said.
Mr Carter said last night he stood behind the figures and said it was likely the difference related to GST.
He said the 1999 figure was GST inclusive.
"If we put the 2009 figure in, to be completely honest and accurate, it has to be GST inclusive as well," said Mr Carter.
He said the school was getting a funding increase of $155,000.
"It would be quite nice, wouldn't it, if we got a thank you from the school for the increase - but let's not expect too much."
But Mr Hodge hit back saying it was "dishonest" for the GST-inclusive figure to be used because the tax went back, so it couldn't be used by the school.
Rangitoto College's roll has grown by 681 pupils since 1999 and information technology costs went from almost nothing to $565,000.
Mr Hodge and nine other principals from North Shore and Rodney high schools were due to meet Mr Carter today to discuss funding but had their meeting cancelled.
Mr Carter said he was not going to any meetings tomorrow because Parliament was in urgency.
