Has everyone in d303 been updated on Senate Bill B16? You may use the following tool to look up and email your legislators: ieanea.org/legislative/find-your-legislators School Funding Reform Act: Illinois General Assembly Senate Bill 16 Last July, the Illinois Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee was tasked with recommending ways to improve public education funding in Illinois, which has remained unchanged since 1997. The result of the task force was the creation of Senate Bill 16 (SB16). If enacted into law, SB16 will make sweeping changes in how the state funds education. SB16 does not increase the level of education funding, but changes the way in which limited state funding is apportioned among school districts. All state funding, with few exceptions would be combined under one funding formula. Generally, school districts with higher assessed property values will receive much less state funding. Other districts will receive much more in state funding. This is an attempt by the state legislators to provide greater equity among school districts across the state. The Bill does not address the current issue of unfunded obligations to school districts that has occurred in recent years. How will SB16 impact District 303? The Illinois State Board of Education has calculated the amount each school district would receive next year if SB16, as written, becomes law. District 303 would lose 78 percent of its state funding or $7.9 million per year. The $7.9 million cut will be phased in over a four-year period. In the first year, District 303 would lose $1.2 million in state funding; $3.2 million in year two; $5.6 million in year three; and the full amount, $7.9 million in year four. Of the 862 school districts in Illinois, St. Charles District 303 is 9th on the list in terms of those that will experience the largest reduction in state funding, and yet at a $11,922 per pupil expenditure, the District already operates essentially at the State average of $11,842. While we always seek to improve efficiency in our District without impacting the classroom, a loss of $7.9 million means cuts would have to be made. Just as a reference point, with an average cost per teacher in District 303 of $60,000 per year, $7.9 million is equal to 132 teachers. In essence, this is a rearranging of funding that would devastate about half of the school districts in Illinois, especially in the northern portion of the state. Overall, school districts in northeastern Illinois, including Kane County would lose about $228 million in State funding, and the rest of the state would gain that amount. (See graphic of the redistribution at this link). Many District 303 (and other suburban) residents paid more for their houses and pay higher property taxes for the purpose of living in an area with high-achieving schools. This proposed law would, in essence, pull the rug out from under suburban taxpayers and would significantly reduce the State funding to these high-achieving schools. SB16 would pull state funding away from schools that are successful. The solution is not to take from some to give to others, but rather for the State to fully fund education, rather than ranking 50th in the nation in education funding. What can you do? SB16 has already passed the State Senate. You can see how your Senator voted by clicking on this link. Residents in the District 303 attendance area (depending on where you live) are served by State Senators Karen McConnaughay, Jim Oberweis, and Dave Syverson; and State Representatives Mike Fortner, Kay Hatcher, and Timothy Schmitz. It is expected that SB16 will be voted on by the House sometime in November, following the fall election. If you are concerned about the dramatic effect it will have on District 303, please contact your Illinois Representative and voice your opinion on this important education bill
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:24:50 +0000
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