 "We know this is going to be a very tight budget year for all
aspects of state government, but we feel that our commitment to
education and our commitment to Illinois' future depends upon
providing schools with additional funding, even as districts face
the same financial difficulties the state faces," said Jesse H.
Ruiz, chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education. "This
budget balances today's financial realities with our education
priorities."
As part of the budget-making process, the state board directed
staff to recalculate the Education Funding Advisory Board's GSA
foundation level for fiscal 2010. Using the methodology employed by
the advisory board, the GSA foundation level recommendation would be
$7,388, an increase of $1,429 per student over the fiscal 2009
level. Raising the GSA foundation level to this amount would require
an increase to the state's education budget of $2.15 billion.
"While we would like to see funding at the EFAB levels,
realistically we know the state can't afford a $2 billion increase
to its education budget at this time," said Michael A. Jacoby,
executive director of the Illinois Association of School Business
Officials. "We support the board's decision to fully fund mandated
categoricals, and given the current state of the economy, we are
very pleased with the increase in general state aid."
The board decided to recommend an increase in general state aid
of $114 million, which translates into an increase in the GSA
foundation level to $6,089, or $130 per student. In addition, the
board also voted to fully fund mandated categoricals, which are
services such as summer school, free and reduced breakfast and lunch
programs, transportation, and special education, which local schools
are mandated to provide. In order to fully fund mandated
categoricals, an increase of $145 million is required.
"Local districts are feeling the effects of our nation's economic
crisis. Any increase in state funding is greatly appreciated,
especially when it is directed towards fully funding mandates and
general state aid," said Diane Rutledge, executive director of the
Large Unit District Association. "The approach the board is taking
will benefit the most students and give districts the greatest
flexibility in meeting the needs of the children we serve."
As part of its budget-making process, the board re-prioritized
some of the grants and programs that it funds, collapsing more than
$111 million in specialty programs and instead directing those funds
into general state aid, which allows districts more flexibility to
spend those dollars, and into funding for services required by state
and federal law.
Other highlights of the state board's
budget recommendation for fiscal 2010 are:
-
$12.5 million
increase in early childhood programs.
-
$7.9 million
increase for bilingual education. The board also recommends a
legislative change in the funding formula of bilingual education
to allow for more equity in the distribution of these funds to
all districts to better reflect the state's changing
demographics.
-
$5.2 million
increase in agency operations. This item has been reduced from
$31 million in 2006 to $24 million in fiscal 2009, while agency
head count has decreased from nearly 800 just prior to No Child
Left Behind Act of 2001 to less than 500 currently. This
increase is needed to allow the agency to modernize technology,
meet labor contracts and comply with state and federal
regulations.
[to top of second column] |
-
$4 million
increase in new programs to improve student performance and
better prepare students for success after they graduate. These
funds would allow for development to begin on a longitudinal
data system that would support better analysis of student
performance from preschool through post-graduate studies. In
addition, funds would be used for Illinois' participation in the
American Diploma Project, to review and revise state K-12
learning standards to better prepare students for college and
careers.
-
$1.5 million increase to assist six
low-performing high school districts.
The board based its decisions
regarding programs and funding on several key principles, including
support for the largest number of students and greatest flexibility
for districts, minimizing the introduction of new programs and
mandates in order to conserve resources, and alignment with
strategic plan goals of the Illinois State Board of Education:
-
Every student will
demonstrate academic achievement and be prepared for success
after high school.
-
Every student will
be supported by highly prepared and effective teachers and
school leaders.
-
Every school will offer a safe and
healthy learning environment for all students.
The Illinois State Board of Education will provide its budget
recommendation to the governor and General Assembly for
consideration as part of the overall fiscal 2010 state budget.
___
General revenue funds appropriations
| |
General funds appropriations |
Annual change |
Pct. change |
|
FY00 |
4,815,763.8 |
324,221.2 |
7.2% |
|
FY01 |
5,069,378.1 |
253,614.3 |
5.3% |
|
FY02 |
5,307,830.9 |
238,452.8 |
4.7% |
|
FY03
|
5,159,931.7 |
(147,899.2) |
-2.8% |
|
FY04
|
5,416,934.2 |
257,002.5 |
5.0% |
|
FY05
|
5,783,017.3 |
366,083.1 |
6.8% |
|
FY06
|
6,093,886.4 |
310,869.1 |
5.4% |
|
FY07
|
6,502,781.7 |
408,895.3 |
6.7% |
|
FY08
|
7,079,491.4 |
576,709.7 |
8.9% |
|
FY09
|
7,410,284.2 |
330,792.8 |
4.7% |
|
FY10 proposed
|
7,583,700.0 |
173,415.8 |
2.34% |
|
Avg. increase FY00-09 |
|
5.2% |
[Text from
Illinois
State Board of Education
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
