This document presents the first results of a series of studies on within-district spending patterns. It provides an overview of some early analysis of variations in spending among schools within three unnamed school districts. The study was conducted with the hope of motivating district leaders and school activists to investigate their own spending patterns, make spending more equitable, and focus money more effectively on instructional improvement. The results of the study are presented in succinct briefing-chart form, which includes graphs and charts. Notes are included in the margins. The document concludes with the following recommendations: (1) Districts should monitor variations in funding levels among schools in their districts; (2) districts should commit to a student-based budget that allocates resources based on students, not schools; (3) moving more resources to the school budgets will eliminate unknown inequities; (4) districts can use funding decisions as part of their district strategy, directing resources consistently across the district; and (5) districts should uncover variations in teacher quality throughout the district and investigate new policies for compensating teachers and budgeting their salaries so as to have a more equitable distribution of teacher talent. (WFA)