Post by title1parent on Oct 14, 2009 5:27:09 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=328723&src=
Advocate for suburban school projects
Daily Herald Editorial Board 10/14/09
It seems so odd in these troubled financial times to be talking about how to spend $3 billion.
But that's where we find ourselves as the state prepares to begin divvying up money for schools from its $31 billion capital construction program.
And, we can already see how amazingly fast $3 billion will disappear when the spending spree gets under way. Indeed, we've already seen the disappearing act play out - and not so long ago. Many suburban schools are among institutions promised state cash between 1999 and 2003 for projects they had to complete on their own when the funding dried up before all the promises could be kept.
So, to accommodate those districts, at least $150 million of the new money will be used to clean up debts from the previous capital program. What's more, nearly 300 school districts have applications still on file from 2003 that get first crack at the money. Then, 20 percent of the $3 billion is earmarked for Chicago's schools.
When the money actually begins to be allotted, based on the state's determination of need, the amount that individual schools will get - ranging from 75 percent to 35 percent of the approved project's total cost - will depend on what the state perceives is their ability to contribute through local property taxes or other funds. School districts in areas with a high property tax base will get less than others.
All this adds up to danger for suburban school districts and the need for suburban lawmakers to watch carefully over the process to ensure that this region, which provides a substantial share of state revenues through sales and income taxes will get back a reasonably proportionate share of money to help address serious local needs - like the Des Plaines River flooding that threatens Gurnee Grade School every year.
It should go without saying that wherever and whenever it's allotted, the money should be used for needed construction projects. As Lake Forest Democratic state Sen. Susan Garrett told our senior state government editor John Patterson for a front-page story Tuesday, "Any construction funds for schools should be used solely for either paying down the debt or covering the costs for that specific project. There should be intense oversight to make sure that is followed through."
At that, the $3 billion - which, by the way, is built on a shaky foundation of video gambling, higher vehicle registration fees and higher alcohol taxes - will not cover every school-construction need in the state, and we know that it will not cover every such need in the suburbs. But it should go a long way toward building additions and keeping facilities safe and well cared for, In the process, it's important this time around that no money be promised that can't be delivered.
We're counting on suburban lawmakers to provide the "intense oversight" to monitor all this, especially ensuring that local schools get their share of the funding and the work - this time, without having to wait six years to get it.
Advocate for suburban school projects
Daily Herald Editorial Board 10/14/09
It seems so odd in these troubled financial times to be talking about how to spend $3 billion.
But that's where we find ourselves as the state prepares to begin divvying up money for schools from its $31 billion capital construction program.
And, we can already see how amazingly fast $3 billion will disappear when the spending spree gets under way. Indeed, we've already seen the disappearing act play out - and not so long ago. Many suburban schools are among institutions promised state cash between 1999 and 2003 for projects they had to complete on their own when the funding dried up before all the promises could be kept.
So, to accommodate those districts, at least $150 million of the new money will be used to clean up debts from the previous capital program. What's more, nearly 300 school districts have applications still on file from 2003 that get first crack at the money. Then, 20 percent of the $3 billion is earmarked for Chicago's schools.
When the money actually begins to be allotted, based on the state's determination of need, the amount that individual schools will get - ranging from 75 percent to 35 percent of the approved project's total cost - will depend on what the state perceives is their ability to contribute through local property taxes or other funds. School districts in areas with a high property tax base will get less than others.
All this adds up to danger for suburban school districts and the need for suburban lawmakers to watch carefully over the process to ensure that this region, which provides a substantial share of state revenues through sales and income taxes will get back a reasonably proportionate share of money to help address serious local needs - like the Des Plaines River flooding that threatens Gurnee Grade School every year.
It should go without saying that wherever and whenever it's allotted, the money should be used for needed construction projects. As Lake Forest Democratic state Sen. Susan Garrett told our senior state government editor John Patterson for a front-page story Tuesday, "Any construction funds for schools should be used solely for either paying down the debt or covering the costs for that specific project. There should be intense oversight to make sure that is followed through."
At that, the $3 billion - which, by the way, is built on a shaky foundation of video gambling, higher vehicle registration fees and higher alcohol taxes - will not cover every school-construction need in the state, and we know that it will not cover every such need in the suburbs. But it should go a long way toward building additions and keeping facilities safe and well cared for, In the process, it's important this time around that no money be promised that can't be delivered.
We're counting on suburban lawmakers to provide the "intense oversight" to monitor all this, especially ensuring that local schools get their share of the funding and the work - this time, without having to wait six years to get it.