Post by libby on Jan 17, 2016 8:14:44 GMT -6
State's school funding plan spurs concerns over cuts, special education
Almost half of school districts in Chicago's suburbs would lose money under a dramatic proposal to rejigger how the state divvies up money to public schools, with affluent districts targeted for cuts and less wealthy districts set to get more state aid.
To make it happen, the Illinois State Board of Education is proposing to take $305 million from an account designated for special education services and give that money to districts next school year for general expenses that may have nothing or little to do with kids with disabilities.
The idea is to boost "general" state aid for public schools in what the state board believes would be a more equitable way. Even without this source of funding for special education, districts would be expected to continue covering those costs as required by law. The General Assembly would have to approve the changes.
The proposal has spurred confusion and concern as districts grapple with the bottom line. The state's analysis shows that 641 districts would gain $339 million under the proposal, including Chicago Public Schools, while 211 districts would lose $29.5 million. Those figures are based on 2015-16 calculations.
See more: www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-special-education-funding-met-20160115-story.html#nt=outfit
Almost half of school districts in Chicago's suburbs would lose money under a dramatic proposal to rejigger how the state divvies up money to public schools, with affluent districts targeted for cuts and less wealthy districts set to get more state aid.
To make it happen, the Illinois State Board of Education is proposing to take $305 million from an account designated for special education services and give that money to districts next school year for general expenses that may have nothing or little to do with kids with disabilities.
The idea is to boost "general" state aid for public schools in what the state board believes would be a more equitable way. Even without this source of funding for special education, districts would be expected to continue covering those costs as required by law. The General Assembly would have to approve the changes.
The proposal has spurred confusion and concern as districts grapple with the bottom line. The state's analysis shows that 641 districts would gain $339 million under the proposal, including Chicago Public Schools, while 211 districts would lose $29.5 million. Those figures are based on 2015-16 calculations.
See more: www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-special-education-funding-met-20160115-story.html#nt=outfit