Post by gatormom on Jul 27, 2008 6:09:40 GMT -5
Lack of state reform leaves schools 'begging for money'
July 27, 2008
Julie Lord Special
The Beacon News
Thomas Engler didn't mince words when asked how Illinois schools are funded.
"Very poorly," said Engler, superintendent of the Yorkville School District.
"The Illinois state aid formula is archaic," Engler added. "It should have been changed 25 years ago."
Engler was one of three superintendents invited to discuss issues in school funding at a forum Thursday sponsored by the Kendall County Plan Consortium at the Community Park Building in Big Rock.
Other members of the panel were Laurel Walker, Plano superintendent; and Jim Hammack, superintendent of the Hinckley-Big Rock district.
Engler explained that population growth, such as the growth in Yorkville and Plano, does not pay for itself. According to Engler, for every dollar a district gains in property taxes, it loses a dollar in state funding.
The panel emphasized that Illinois relies very heavily on property taxes for school funding. Because of this, there is a great disparity between districts in property-poor and property-rich areas.
Hammack, who said his district is relatively stagnant in growth, agreed with the need for change at the state level.
"The funding mechanism is broken," Hammack said. "Kids should be educated no matter where they live."
Engler stressed that while the people in his district have been very generous, taxpayers in other areas are not always quick to vote for referendums. He described the process as "begging for money."
He claimed the process is not the same for cities and counties, which are in better control of their funds. Engler compared the two, saying a county will not have trouble building a jail, but school districts have to sell themselves to get any funding for their buildings.
As the discussion turned to finding a way to ease pressure on the taxpayers, one audience member asked about the idea of abating property taxes for seniors who do not have any children in the school district. Members of the panel were in agreement that lessening taxes for these citizens would ultimately do a disservice to the community.
They explained that what draws residents to a town is the quality of the schools and that taking care of the schools is taking care of the community.
"As a senior citizen myself," Engler added, "I say no, you pay what everybody else pays."
As far as what can be done to change the funding system, the panel said there is a bill waiting for supporters, but that it has been waiting for some time; no politician is willing to propose a tax hike, according to Engler.
"All we can do is the best we can with what you give us," Engler said, referring to state aid.
His final comment of the night echoed his first:
"Quit making things up down there (in Springfield) that we have to do unless you're willing to pay for it."
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1076117,2_1_AU27_DEVELOP_S1.article
July 27, 2008
Julie Lord Special
The Beacon News
Thomas Engler didn't mince words when asked how Illinois schools are funded.
"Very poorly," said Engler, superintendent of the Yorkville School District.
"The Illinois state aid formula is archaic," Engler added. "It should have been changed 25 years ago."
Engler was one of three superintendents invited to discuss issues in school funding at a forum Thursday sponsored by the Kendall County Plan Consortium at the Community Park Building in Big Rock.
Other members of the panel were Laurel Walker, Plano superintendent; and Jim Hammack, superintendent of the Hinckley-Big Rock district.
Engler explained that population growth, such as the growth in Yorkville and Plano, does not pay for itself. According to Engler, for every dollar a district gains in property taxes, it loses a dollar in state funding.
The panel emphasized that Illinois relies very heavily on property taxes for school funding. Because of this, there is a great disparity between districts in property-poor and property-rich areas.
Hammack, who said his district is relatively stagnant in growth, agreed with the need for change at the state level.
"The funding mechanism is broken," Hammack said. "Kids should be educated no matter where they live."
Engler stressed that while the people in his district have been very generous, taxpayers in other areas are not always quick to vote for referendums. He described the process as "begging for money."
He claimed the process is not the same for cities and counties, which are in better control of their funds. Engler compared the two, saying a county will not have trouble building a jail, but school districts have to sell themselves to get any funding for their buildings.
As the discussion turned to finding a way to ease pressure on the taxpayers, one audience member asked about the idea of abating property taxes for seniors who do not have any children in the school district. Members of the panel were in agreement that lessening taxes for these citizens would ultimately do a disservice to the community.
They explained that what draws residents to a town is the quality of the schools and that taking care of the schools is taking care of the community.
"As a senior citizen myself," Engler added, "I say no, you pay what everybody else pays."
As far as what can be done to change the funding system, the panel said there is a bill waiting for supporters, but that it has been waiting for some time; no politician is willing to propose a tax hike, according to Engler.
"All we can do is the best we can with what you give us," Engler said, referring to state aid.
His final comment of the night echoed his first:
"Quit making things up down there (in Springfield) that we have to do unless you're willing to pay for it."
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1076117,2_1_AU27_DEVELOP_S1.article
