School Funding Options

[204parent]

There have been a number of recent posts on different funding options for schools, so I thought the subject deserved its own thread.

The most frequently asked question seems to be whether schools should be funded through local property taxes, or at the State level via income taxes or some other means.

[EagleDad]

The reason that I like the schools funded by property taxes (rather than income tax is twofold)

1. The tax monies stay at the local level. Every time the state gets involved, it's only a chance for more bureaucrats to get there hands on it, and make each dollar less effective (more disappears along the way). Additionally, our kids are then at the mercy of state lawmakers and any particular agenda they want to push as to how the funds are distributed.

2. By being targeted at homeowners, it generally hits those who receive the most value the hardest. I know this is not a hard and fast rule, there certainly are homeowners without kids, but if you own a 4-5 bedroom home and are paying the taxes on it, chances are higher there is someone else in those other 4 bedrooms.

[wvhsparent]

I need more info and options before I dismiss it.

[gatordog]

I had heard about the part of the IL constitution implying more state funding needed. So I thought I'd look it up myself. (I never looked the Illinois constitution before!)

I am not trying to score debating points here (because to me the solution is ) ...I'm just trying to educate myself on this topic.


ARTICLE X
EDUCATION


SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS
A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the
educational development of all persons to the limits of their
capacities.
The State shall provide for an efficient system of high
quality public educational institutions and services.
Education in public schools through the secondary level shall
be free. There may be such other free education as the
General Assembly provides by law.
The State has the primary responsibility for financing
the system of public education.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

[momto4]

eagledad said:

The reason that I like the schools funded by property taxes (rather than income tax is twofold)

1. The tax monies stay at the local level. Every time the state gets involved, it's only a chance for more bureaucrats to get there hands on it, and make each dollar less effective (more disappears along the way). Additionally, our kids are then at the mercy of state lawmakers and any particular agenda they want to push as to how the funds are distributed.

2. By being targeted at homeowners, it generally hits those who receive the most value the hardest. I know this is not a hard and fast rule, there certainly are homeowners without kids, but if you own a 4-5 bedroom home and are paying the taxes on it, chances are higher there is someone else in those other 4 bedrooms.

I agree. On a more personal level I choose to live where I do and pay property taxes here for the excellent school system we have. Those property taxes continue to grow even larger because the value of my home increases in this desirable district. I do not want to pay even more in taxes (income taxes plus property taxes) to have less of it come back to our local district.

My husband and I grew up in East Aurora 131 as did our parents and numerous relatives. I agree they have problems but I don't think the solution is increased income taxes throughout the state with some money coming back to them.

[wvhsparent]

Clear as mud.....

[momof3]

I watched the replay of the candidate's forum last night. I missed part of the school funding question b/c the sound went dead. It sounded like every one was against the property tax for income tax swap except KK. I thought his answer was very ambiguous. He explained how in the last place he lived, they switched from income to property tax and then he said "So I would be against that." Against which one? I couldn't tell if he was against the new way (property) or old way (income). Anybody who was there have any clarification?


Local school officials hold out for plan's details

March 8, 2007
By BRITT CARSON Staff Writer
School officials are taking a "wait-and-see" attitude when it comes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's plan to pour $10 billion into education funding.

On Tuesday, Blagojevich said during his budget address he would put $10 billion into education funding over the next four years. He also wants to implement all-day kindergarten across Illinois.

Indian Prairie School District 204 school board member Mark Metzger said he realizes the importance of all-day kindergarten - but the governor's proposal is no small task.

"In a district like ours, we would need more money for buildings so the governor would have to refinance the Capital Development Program," Metzger said.
District 204 Superintendent Howie Crouse said if the district implemented all-day kindergarten they would need four additional schools.The Capital Development Program oversaw the School Construction Grant program, which would supply schools with construction grants if they could come up with a certain percentage of local revenues.

State Rep. Jim Meyer, R-Naperville, said he too wants to see how the actual details of the plan will play out.

"I agree that the state needs to increase education funding," Meyer said. "However, we need to bring together all sides to this issue including educators, administrators, school boards and taxpayers to put together real reform and not throw away taxpayer's dollars."

Contact Britt Carson at [e-mail] or 630-416-5269.

[wvhsparent]

Interesting website:


studentsfirst.us/