Legislators delve into school needs

A+ Illinois' Bindu Batchu made the case in Springfield for more school funding.

March 10, 2004

On March 2 and 3, 2004, Bindu Batchu, campaign manager of A+ Illinois, testified on behalf of the campaign to legislators in Springfield, focusing on two critical legislative considerations in the General Assembly this spring. Gov. Rod Blagojevich has put forth theDepartment of Education Act (SB 3000), proposed legislation to transfer most responsibilities of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to a newly created Department of Education, which would report directly to him. Gov. Blagojevich presented this plan, first introduced during the annual State of the Budget address on Feb. 18, 2004, through testimony to a rare Committee of the Whole meeting on March 3, 2004. Many state senators openly expressed uncertainty at the governor’s proposal, which does not yetinclude fulldetails.

The Senate also invited testimony from the state superintendent of schools, educators, and advocates, including members of A+ Illinois, to encourage a diverse perspective on the proposed legislation. A+ Illinois applauds the governor’s statedplan to makeeducation a priority, and his emphasis on accountability and efficiency, but has questions about such a transition, as well as concerns about specific components of this plan. Overall, A+ Illinois urges the General Assembly to ensure Illinois schools’ funding needs are a central part of the ongoing conversation and strategy ofimproving accountability and efficiency in education.

The House AppropriationsElementary and Secondary Education Committee met last week to take public testimony on ISBE’s FY 2005 budget for K–12 public education, which calls for a $610-million increase including the following line items:

$396 million for General State Aid
$139 million for special education
$65 million to restore the State’s contribution to pensions for Chicago teachers.

The governor has also called for a $400 million increase in school funding this year, not enough to cover even the most basic education expenses that Gov. Blagojevich identified as “key budget initiatives” in his plan for education, Batchu says. If the governor wants to adequately cover his hoped boost of the school-funding formula’s per-pupil “foundation level,” funding for special education mandates, and expansion of early education for at-risk youth, the plan falls $166 million short of complete fulfillment. A+ Illinois strongly supports the priorities outlined below in the ISBE FY 2005 budget proposal and encourages the General Assembly to support funding for the following areas:

foundation level increase of $250
full funding of the poverty grants
full funding of the state share of special education mandates
Early Childhood Education Block Grant
Chicago teachers’ pension
school construction bond program

A+ Illinois challenges other state legislative leaders to also join in the crucial discussion and truly make education one of the most important priorities in Illinois.

For A+ Illinois' testimony to the Senate on the governor's proposal, click here. For A+ Illinois' testimony to the House Appropriations Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, click here.