Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you may know, the Illinois General Assembly failed to reach an agreement on a State Budget before its adjournment. With the budget impasse entering into its eleventh month, many people in the State are speculating about the possibility of no State appropriations for K-12 education, for the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year.
The lack of State appropriations for K-12 education in Fiscal Year 2017 (beginning July 1, 2016) will result in dire consequences for many districts. State funding constitutes approximately 32% of the District revenue for both the Education and Operation and Maintenance funds. These two funds represent the bulk of the revenue and the cost of maintaining the District.
The District does, however, have reserve funds that will allow school to open on time and should sustain the District for the majority of the school year.
It is becoming imperative for our elected officials to enact a budget that includes adequate funds for public school for the upcoming school year. This will ensure that schools across the State open on time and are adequately funded for the full year. An evidence-based funding model, founded on research-based practices, is the most sound and fair, long-term, answer to having adequate and equitable school funding in Illinois.
Many times people are hesitant to involve themselves in politics. Yet, as taxpayers and citizens who are concerned about the health and future of our State, now is the time for everyone to become engaged. I encourage everyone to contact our local [legislators]:
- Senator Neil Anderson at www.senatorneilanderson.com
- Representative Mike Smiddy at www.mikesmiddy.com.
Share your feelings with them about the current “state of our State.” In the meantime,please be assured that the Board of Education and I will continue to monitor this situation closely, including developing contingency plans, should the budget stalemate continue into the fall. We are committed to continuing the outstanding educational services that our children deserve.
Thank you for your continued support of our District.
Sincerely,
Scott Vance, Superintendent