GSA V3.
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School District 308 has been shorted $16.6 million in state funding since 2010 due to the state paying districts a prorated amount rather than the full claimed amount. The superintendent intends to make this a priority issue and bring attention to how this lost funding could eliminate student fees for 10 years, cover the cost of new textbooks or tablets for all 18,000 students, or reduce property taxes. While the district's attendance has increased, state payments have remained at only 88% of the claimed funding amount.
GSA V3.
- 1. Media Alert For immediate release Contact: Brian Graves Phone: (630) 636-3660 E-mail: Bgraves@SD308.org School District 308 Shorted $16 Million in State Funds, Students Most Heavily Impacted Oswego, Ill. (Sept. 29, 2014) — As the state of Illinois has shifted the way that it reimburses General State Aid funding to school districts, Community Unit School District 308, as well as every district across the state, continue to see reductions in vital funding resources. School District 308’s loss amounts to $16.6 million since 2010, when the state began to pay out school district funding in a prorated manner. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Wendt notified the Board of Education on Monday, Sept. 22 that he intends to make these unpaid funds an issue. “I am going to say this everywhere I go,” he said. “People will get tired of hearing about it. This $16.6 million would eliminate student fees for 10 years. You want to eliminate student fees in this district? Let’s have a conversation about where the problem is.” While the district’s average daily attendance continues to increase, and the GSA funding continues to rise, the state payments to the district have stalled at 88 percent of the claimed amount. Wendt compared that prorated amount to salary obligations. 4175 Route 71 | Oswego, IL 60543 | p 630.636.3080 | f 630.636.3688 www.SD308.org
- 2. “If you were to pay me 100 percent of this salary, I cannot even fathom what it is like to at some point be told that you are only going to receive 88 percent of it.” The $16.6 million could cover a reduction in property taxes, new textbooks district wide, or a new tablet for each of the 18,000 students within the district. Wendt noted that the funding issue is not a revenue issue at the state level. “We don’t have a revenue issue in Illinois,” he stated. “Maybe it is a spending problem. Maybe it is a priority problem. When you add the billions of dollars that are coming into this state, if you funded public schools, there is more than enough money if you prioritize it with the rhetoric that public schools and educating every child in this state is important.” To discuss state funding shortages impacting School District 308, and all of Illinois, please contact your local legislator. Below is a list of Illinois legislators with at least some of their jurisdiction in School District 308: • Senator Bertino-Tarrant (49th District) (217) 782-0052 • Senator James Oberweis (25th District) (217) 782-0471 • Senator Sue Rezin (38th District) (217) 782-3840 • Senator Linda Holmes (42nd District) 217-782-0422 • Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (84th District) (217)782-8028 • Rep. Tom Cross (97th District) (217) 782-1331 • Rep. Kay Hatcher (50th District) (217) 782-1486 • Rep. John Anthony (75th District) (217) 782-5997 —end— The mission of Community Unit School District 308 Schools—a unique partnership of students, staff, families, and community—is to ensure each student develops the capacity to thrive as a successful contributing citizen by providing exemplary educational experiences in a safe, caring, and responsive learning environment. 4175 Route 71 | Oswego, IL 60543 | p 630.636.3080 | f 630.636.3688 www.SD308.org