Post by title1parent on May 20, 2009 5:20:28 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1580946,school-funding-bill_SCN051909.article
Bill could ease school funding woes
May 20, 2009
By ERIKA WURST ewurst@scn1.com
In a move that could directly impact local schools, legislation that will require a change in the state funding formula for districts that pass local tax referendums has been sent on to Gov. Pat Quinn.
Quinn has until July 17 to sign SB 2051, sponsored by state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora.
Under the legislation, districts that pass a referendum would not see a corresponding decrease in general state aid.
"If local taxpayers choose to give additional dollars to their school district, they should not face monetary penalties from the state," Chapa LaVia said. The debate over the measure has gone on for months, and West Aurora School District Superintendent Dr. James Rydland has been a major voice.
"Not having to pay a penalty will mean a huge difference to the Aurora community," Rydland said Tuesday.
Rydland said he was elated about the overwhelming support of the bill in the Legislature -- it was approved 104-1 in the House and 56-0 in the Senate.
As a district, West Aurora has witnessed firsthand the consequences of the state's current funding standard.
When voters narrowly passed an operating tax referendum in 2007, Rydland said he expected to garner roughly $14 million in new funds. That happened, but according to Assistant Superintendent of Finance Vickie Nissan, the district's general state aid funds decreased by $10 million as a consequence,
Currently, property taxes are used in the general state aid formula for schools. If a local community votes to increase their property taxes to make additional funds available to their school district, that changes the tax rate used in their formula and decreases the district's much-needed general state aid.
If the proposed legislation passes, that penalty would no longer exist.
"Schools use local tax referendums as a last possible option when they are in dire need of additional funding," Chapa LaVia said.
"Decreasing general state aid payments only serves to leave them in the same position they were in before looking for ways to fill budget holes."
Chapa LaVia was named chairman of the House Elementary and Secondary Appropriations Committee this year. The committee has heard firsthand accounts from districts across the state about the problems caused by the lack of state funding.
"In these hard financial times, especially in education, it is so important that we be able to help districts like West Aurora, " Chapa LaVia said.
Rydland urged Quinn to sign the legislation as soon as possible so districts can begin hashing out 2009-2010 budgets.
"We'd appreciate a speedy signature so we can be timely about budgeting and planning for the next fiscal year," Rydland said. "This legislation has been overwhelmingly supported by the Senate and the House. It's been a real team effort throughout the state."
Bill could ease school funding woes
May 20, 2009
By ERIKA WURST ewurst@scn1.com
In a move that could directly impact local schools, legislation that will require a change in the state funding formula for districts that pass local tax referendums has been sent on to Gov. Pat Quinn.
Quinn has until July 17 to sign SB 2051, sponsored by state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora.
Under the legislation, districts that pass a referendum would not see a corresponding decrease in general state aid.
"If local taxpayers choose to give additional dollars to their school district, they should not face monetary penalties from the state," Chapa LaVia said. The debate over the measure has gone on for months, and West Aurora School District Superintendent Dr. James Rydland has been a major voice.
"Not having to pay a penalty will mean a huge difference to the Aurora community," Rydland said Tuesday.
Rydland said he was elated about the overwhelming support of the bill in the Legislature -- it was approved 104-1 in the House and 56-0 in the Senate.
As a district, West Aurora has witnessed firsthand the consequences of the state's current funding standard.
When voters narrowly passed an operating tax referendum in 2007, Rydland said he expected to garner roughly $14 million in new funds. That happened, but according to Assistant Superintendent of Finance Vickie Nissan, the district's general state aid funds decreased by $10 million as a consequence,
Currently, property taxes are used in the general state aid formula for schools. If a local community votes to increase their property taxes to make additional funds available to their school district, that changes the tax rate used in their formula and decreases the district's much-needed general state aid.
If the proposed legislation passes, that penalty would no longer exist.
"Schools use local tax referendums as a last possible option when they are in dire need of additional funding," Chapa LaVia said.
"Decreasing general state aid payments only serves to leave them in the same position they were in before looking for ways to fill budget holes."
Chapa LaVia was named chairman of the House Elementary and Secondary Appropriations Committee this year. The committee has heard firsthand accounts from districts across the state about the problems caused by the lack of state funding.
"In these hard financial times, especially in education, it is so important that we be able to help districts like West Aurora, " Chapa LaVia said.
Rydland urged Quinn to sign the legislation as soon as possible so districts can begin hashing out 2009-2010 budgets.
"We'd appreciate a speedy signature so we can be timely about budgeting and planning for the next fiscal year," Rydland said. "This legislation has been overwhelmingly supported by the Senate and the House. It's been a real team effort throughout the state."
