x
Breaking News
More () »

Funding frustration: Why some Illinois schools have money, and some don’t

Some local school leaders say the formula that determines school funding in Illinois is outdated and penalizes districts that serve lower-income families.

Some local school leaders say the formula that determines school funding in Illinois is outdated and penalizes districts that serve lower-income families.

"We've cut over 48 full-time staff positions in the past six years and we've cut things like athletics and our textbook budget," said Mercer County Schools Superintendent Alan Boucher.  Some districts are borrowing money just to make payroll, while districts in other parts of Illinois are building and renovating schools.

State funding allocations are similar for all students in Illinois, at just over $7,000 per student.  That's the same across the board, whether the districts have more or less funding available from property taxes.  Districts with lower property values rely more on state aid because they collect less in property taxes.

Is it fair?  Scroll down to take our poll and tell us what you think.

"There are school districts in the state of Illinois that are spending $20,000-plus per student, to educate that student, and there are other districts in the state of Illinois that are spending, you know, six- and seven- and eight- thousand," said Senator John Sullivan (D)-Quincy.

"You look in the suburbs, you know, they're building new buildings just because they can, and we struggle to continue to make repairs to our buildings," said Ed Fletcher, superintendent for Monmouth-Roseville School District.  He says the problem is with the formula that determines school funding; it's a formula that hasn't changed since the early 1990s.  "The reality of it is in the state of Illinois right now you have the haves versus the have nots. Your zip code determines the amount of money you have available for education."

Funding frustration: Why some Illinois schools have money, and some don’t

The solution to the funding dilemma is complicated.

"I don't want to take away from the folks who have a great quality education. I want to be able to provide the same," said Fletcher.

The latest Illinois education funding reform act would give less state funding to wealthier districts, and more to poorer districts. The bill didn't go far last session.  Opponents, including senators representing school districts in the wealthier counties, say the bill unfairly penalizes those districts.

"It appeared to me that we were stealing from the richer districts and give it to only poorer districts," said Senator Pamela Althoff (R)-McHenry who represents the state's 32nd District.  Senator Althoff says schools in her area benefit from higher property values in her districts because those districts passed referendums increasing their tax rates to generate more money for education.

Rock Island County voters have twice voted down a one-cent sales tax that would have funded local schools.  Monmouth-Roseville school leaders are struggling to decide whether to cut some of their sports because of budget constraints.   Under the latest education funding proposal, Monmouth-Roseville would get $1.9 million dollars. Rock Island/Milan school district would have seen a $6 million dollar gain.

Contrast that with Naperville's Nequa Valley High School, which has four baseball fields, two practice fields, a football field and tennis courts.  Metea Valley High School in Aurora was built in 2009, and it's now rated as one of the most amazing high schools campuses in the world by Best Education Degrees.

Funding frustration: Why some Illinois schools have money, and some don’t

"It's very frustrating. It`s almost as if, you know, politicians are saying, 'It's someone else's problem; you go ahead and deal with it,'" said Fletcher.

"Its an issue that absolutely needs to be addressed. We can't ignore it," said Senator Althoff.

"Time is of the essence. We've already been underneath this financial pressure for at least six years, and so now's the time to do something and get this figured out," said Boucher.

Before You Leave, Check This Out