Post by macrockett on May 6, 2011 13:27:07 GMT -6
If you count on State aid you are a ....fill in the blank.
www.illinoisisbroke.com/newsitem.aspx?id=1150
KWQV-TV
IL Schools Face Deeper Cuts
Friday, May 06, 2011
Illinois schools are facing deeper cuts, which could impact programs, increase class sizes and reduce the number of teachers.
Our schools are on the chopping block in Springfield again, and education leaders in our area are wondering whether schools can take another hit.
"We've had talks about cutting back the school week, even legislation from five to four days," said Illinois Education Association Director Jeff Conrad, "There have been eliminations of advanced programs, cut backs in music, art, all sorts of programs. You have so much money. How are you going to fund it?"
Lawmakers have just under seven billion dollars to fund all the schools in the state. They said cuts have to be made, but how will it affect us locally?
On the chopping block are school grants, which the Illinois State Board of Education said they receive about 550 million from those each year.
Also, lawmakers said the general fund isn't safe either. They're thinking about cutting a percentage across the board from that too.
"If the state decides to cut general state aid, that's going to be significant across the state," said United Township Superintendent Jay Morrow.
Especially since the board of education said they've been seeing cuts since 2009.
Now they said more cuts could affect vocational classes, transportation, teachers' continuing education and supplies. And it would affect schools like United Township and Rock Island, places where school leaders said they've already seen so many cuts and they can't imagine making anymore.
Rock Island's superintendent said they've already slashed every program possible without affecting the classroom. But he said it's different this time. Any more cuts and the Rock Island District will have to cut teachers, in turn increasing class sizes. Plus, they won't be able to afford up to date materials.
United Township Superintendent Jay Morrow said his school system is facing a similar fate. "Our class sizes are pretty high right now," said Morrow, "If we cut any further, we're going to have huge class sizes of 40 kids and that's not very productive."
Morrow said his class sizes are about 23 to 30 now and he's had to cut a couple of vocational classes. But he said, the district is doing okay relying on reserves.
He said, however, those won't last forever. Morrow said personnel adds up to about 80 percent of a district's budget, so eventually he said teachers will have to be cut.
A committee is working on a final education spending plan now, we could hear about within days. The House and Senate still have to vote on that plan. A state budget has to be passed by the end of the month.
www.illinoisisbroke.com/newsitem.aspx?id=1150
KWQV-TV
IL Schools Face Deeper Cuts
Friday, May 06, 2011
Illinois schools are facing deeper cuts, which could impact programs, increase class sizes and reduce the number of teachers.
Our schools are on the chopping block in Springfield again, and education leaders in our area are wondering whether schools can take another hit.
"We've had talks about cutting back the school week, even legislation from five to four days," said Illinois Education Association Director Jeff Conrad, "There have been eliminations of advanced programs, cut backs in music, art, all sorts of programs. You have so much money. How are you going to fund it?"
Lawmakers have just under seven billion dollars to fund all the schools in the state. They said cuts have to be made, but how will it affect us locally?
On the chopping block are school grants, which the Illinois State Board of Education said they receive about 550 million from those each year.
Also, lawmakers said the general fund isn't safe either. They're thinking about cutting a percentage across the board from that too.
"If the state decides to cut general state aid, that's going to be significant across the state," said United Township Superintendent Jay Morrow.
Especially since the board of education said they've been seeing cuts since 2009.
Now they said more cuts could affect vocational classes, transportation, teachers' continuing education and supplies. And it would affect schools like United Township and Rock Island, places where school leaders said they've already seen so many cuts and they can't imagine making anymore.
Rock Island's superintendent said they've already slashed every program possible without affecting the classroom. But he said it's different this time. Any more cuts and the Rock Island District will have to cut teachers, in turn increasing class sizes. Plus, they won't be able to afford up to date materials.
United Township Superintendent Jay Morrow said his school system is facing a similar fate. "Our class sizes are pretty high right now," said Morrow, "If we cut any further, we're going to have huge class sizes of 40 kids and that's not very productive."
Morrow said his class sizes are about 23 to 30 now and he's had to cut a couple of vocational classes. But he said, the district is doing okay relying on reserves.
He said, however, those won't last forever. Morrow said personnel adds up to about 80 percent of a district's budget, so eventually he said teachers will have to be cut.
A committee is working on a final education spending plan now, we could hear about within days. The House and Senate still have to vote on that plan. A state budget has to be passed by the end of the month.
