School Funding Reform Act: Illinois General Assembly Senate Bill 16
Last July, the Illinois Senate Education Funding Advisory Committee was tasked
with recommending ways to improve public education funding in Illinois, which has
remained unchanged since 1997. The result of the task force was the creation of
Senate Bill 16 (SB16).
If enacted into law, SB16 will make sweeping changes in how the state funds
education. SB16 does not increase the level of education funding, but changes the
way in which limited state funding is apportioned among school districts. All state
funding, with few exceptions would be combined under one funding formula.
Generally, school districts with higher assessed property values will receive much
less state funding. Other districts will receive much more in state funding. This is
an attempt by the state legislators to provide greater equity among school districts
across the state. The Bill does not address the current issue of unfunded
obligations to school districts that has occurred in recent years.
How will SB16 impact District 427?
The Illinois State Board of Education has calculated the amount each school district
would receive next year if SB16, as written, becomes law. District 427 would lose
$591,803 per year. This loss of state funds is on top of the $3.2 million dollars that
District 427 has lost over the last four years due to funds being pro-rated.
Of the 862 school districts in Illinois, Sycamore School District 427 is 169th on the
list in terms of those that will experience the largest reduction in state funding,
and yet at an $11,131 per pupil expenditure, the District already operates
essentially at essentially the State average of $11,842.
While we always seek to improve efficiency in our District without impacting the
classroom, a loss of $591,803 means cuts would have to be made. Just as a
reference point, with an average cost per teacher in District 427 of $60,000 per
year, $591,803 is equal to 10 teachers.
In essence, this is a rearranging of funding that would devastate about half of the
school districts in Illinois, especially in the northern portion of the state. Overall,
school districts in northeastern Illinois, including DeKalb County would lose about
$228 million in State funding, and the rest of the state would gain that amount.
(See graphic of the redistribution at this link).
Many District 427 (and other suburban) residents paid more for their houses and
pay higher property taxes for the purpose of living in an area with high-achieving
schools. This proposed law would, in essence, pull the rug out from under
suburban taxpayers and would significantly reduce the State funding to these highachieving schools. SB16 would pull state funding away from schools that are
successful and would affect the way District 427 delivers instruction.
The solution is not to take from some to give to others, but rather for the State to
fully fund education, rather than ranking 50th in the nation in education funding.
What can you do?
SB16 has already passed the State Senate. You can see how your Senator voted
by clicking on this link. Residents in the District 427 attendance area are served
by:
State Senator Dave Syverson
State of Illinois Building
302 S. Wyman, Suite 302
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-7555
State Representative Robert Pritchard
2600 DeKalb Ave.
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 748-3494
It is expected that SB16 will be voted on by the House sometime in November,
following the fall election. If you are concerned about the dramatic effect it will
have on District 427, please contact your Illinois Representative and voice your
opinion on this important education bill.
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