Post by southsidesignmaker on Apr 14, 2010 7:28:17 GMT -6
School funding protest is also a lesson in civics
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/napertalk/2157128,6_4_NA14_PAGE2COL_S1-100414.article
April 14, 2010
It's been said several times, by several people, throughout the past few months as the education funding crisis continues to grow more dire.
"It's in the Constitution."
The comment is made to drive home the point that the state of Illinois is shirking its responsibility to provide the necessary dollars to educate the youth of our state.
Not that I didn't believe it, but I had to look.
It's true. It's in there.
According to Article X of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, Section 1: "The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education."
Maybe when the busloads of angry and determined parents pull up in front of the state Capitol later this morning, state lawmakers will be reminded of the fact.
But in reality, those riding on the Caravan to the Capital are not looking for Springfield to foot the majority of the total school bill.
"We're not asking for that," said Sherry Tatar, one of the Indian Prairie District 204 parents who helped coordinate today's trip. "What we're asking for is they fund the schools next year at the same level that they're funded this year."
That is, if the state actually pays the school districts throughout Illinois what it owes them.
As many know, the state is currently behind on paying its bills. Just to District 204 and Naperville District 203, the debt is in the millions. But more districts besides those in the Naperville area are raising their voices. Parents from areas including Valley View District 365 and West Aurora District 129 will make the trek downstate Wednesday as well.
"We're starting to hear from other districts (throughout the state) that want to set up something as well," Tatar said.
The approximately 50 parents and students traveling to Springfield hope to spend the day meeting with legislators to explain the ramifications of the proposed budget cuts. And to urge them to cut other areas of the state budget instead in order to leave education, human and health services intact.
I will be on the bus with them, chronicling their efforts for the Sun's Web site and Thursday's print edition. I have no idea what to expect when we arrive. Neither do the parents making the trip. There are meetings set up with a few representatives, but all are tentative and, like most things in Springfield these days, subject to change.
"I hope that we get to meet with a few different legislators, and that they pay attention to what we're saying," Tatar said. "And hopefully they have something good to say back to us."
If they don't have something to say to the parents, then perhaps they can address the students. They're the ones in the video "Restore Illinois Education Funding" posted on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpGA9bEwLqs.
Holding up signs, the students explain how the funding cuts affect them and their teachers.
Their signs also ask some thought-provoking questions, such as this little gem:
"We learned about Article 10 of the Constitution. Did you?"
Contact Kathy Cichon at kcichon@stmedianetwork.com.
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/napertalk/2157128,6_4_NA14_PAGE2COL_S1-100414.article
April 14, 2010
It's been said several times, by several people, throughout the past few months as the education funding crisis continues to grow more dire.
"It's in the Constitution."
The comment is made to drive home the point that the state of Illinois is shirking its responsibility to provide the necessary dollars to educate the youth of our state.
Not that I didn't believe it, but I had to look.
It's true. It's in there.
According to Article X of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, Section 1: "The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education."
Maybe when the busloads of angry and determined parents pull up in front of the state Capitol later this morning, state lawmakers will be reminded of the fact.
But in reality, those riding on the Caravan to the Capital are not looking for Springfield to foot the majority of the total school bill.
"We're not asking for that," said Sherry Tatar, one of the Indian Prairie District 204 parents who helped coordinate today's trip. "What we're asking for is they fund the schools next year at the same level that they're funded this year."
That is, if the state actually pays the school districts throughout Illinois what it owes them.
As many know, the state is currently behind on paying its bills. Just to District 204 and Naperville District 203, the debt is in the millions. But more districts besides those in the Naperville area are raising their voices. Parents from areas including Valley View District 365 and West Aurora District 129 will make the trek downstate Wednesday as well.
"We're starting to hear from other districts (throughout the state) that want to set up something as well," Tatar said.
The approximately 50 parents and students traveling to Springfield hope to spend the day meeting with legislators to explain the ramifications of the proposed budget cuts. And to urge them to cut other areas of the state budget instead in order to leave education, human and health services intact.
I will be on the bus with them, chronicling their efforts for the Sun's Web site and Thursday's print edition. I have no idea what to expect when we arrive. Neither do the parents making the trip. There are meetings set up with a few representatives, but all are tentative and, like most things in Springfield these days, subject to change.
"I hope that we get to meet with a few different legislators, and that they pay attention to what we're saying," Tatar said. "And hopefully they have something good to say back to us."
If they don't have something to say to the parents, then perhaps they can address the students. They're the ones in the video "Restore Illinois Education Funding" posted on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpGA9bEwLqs.
Holding up signs, the students explain how the funding cuts affect them and their teachers.
Their signs also ask some thought-provoking questions, such as this little gem:
"We learned about Article 10 of the Constitution. Did you?"
Contact Kathy Cichon at kcichon@stmedianetwork.com.
