Members,
In my entire career, I have not witnessed such a dire situation in our state. Illinois has not paid its bills this year. Many services and organizations are closing their doors. School district across the state are cutting into programs due to lack of funds.
Current negotiations in Springfield could result in 10 percent cuts to the state’s school funding foundation level, meaning millions less in state aid to local schools. Last week, State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, an Aurora Democrat who chairs the Elementary and Secondary Education Appropriations Committee, said the state budget crisis will likely affect general state aid, lately the only consistent funding source from Springfield to local schools. While District 203 does not receive GSA funding, we do receive Alternative Funding from Illinois such as categorical funding for special ed, etc. This type of funding is also on the block. We stand to lose more than 4 million dollars, and this is a conservative projection. Couple this with the unfunded mandates from the state, and District 203, along with the rest of the state, is in a mess.
You may have read that Districts 204, Plainfield and Wheaton are in a severe situation. Naperville District 203 is also in the vise. You can expect conversations within the district regarding the funding crisis and our district. The districts surrounding us will be sending pink slips to all non-tenured staff, with the ability to recall them on an as needed basis.
To read about Wheaton District 200 please click here;
To read about District 204, please click here;
I am certain our discussions will be every bit as urgent.
The IEA is starting a new campaign.
The Illinois budget crisis has morphed into a school crisis and human services crisis. See this report citing financially strapped districts statewide or check this Blog for a look at the politics of the budget.
It is imperative that Illinois raise revenues to get the state out of debt and back on track. Failing to raise revenue means school employees being laid off, school programs and activities eliminated, bigger class sizes and much more.
In short, we are facing a disaster.
Send your state senator and representative an email urging them to support HB 174 to Save Our Schools and Save Our State.
