This recent editorial from The Southern Illinoisan offers an interesting perspective on the school funding situation in Springfield, Senate Republicans’ fight to make sure schools open on time this fall, and the challenges facing lawmakers as they work toward a new funding mechanism for education.
Excerpts from the editorial:
Meanwhile, a gaggle of K-12 funding options have been introduced, analyzed, dissected, sliced and diced. Republican legislators seem to like the keep-the-formula-the-same-but-throw-more-money-at-it plan floated by Gov. Rauner. Democrats have rallied around the funding restructure formula proposed and shepherded by Sen. Andy Manar. Democratic Sen. Andy Manar.
And then, of course, there’s the “compromise” bill being proposed by Sen. Jason Barickman which bridges the gap to an "evidence-based" model that he and educators have been working together on. On his legislative website, Barickman states the following: “Ultimately, our evidence-based solution is scalable and realistic, regardless of the budget decisions made by political leaders.”
....Manar seems to be looking at and considering the “compromise” proposal from Barickman. We say, “do so quickly.”
The future of our kids’ education is at stake here. It’s that important. Political compromise on this essential issue would be a welcome step toward proving that our elected officials want to fulfill their primary responsibility.
Read the entire editorial at The Southern Illinoisan.