Quinn proposes huge school consolidation
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn proposed a slight increase in education spending Wednesday but wants to save state money by pushing school consolidation and eliminating regional education offices, two ideas that have gone down in flames over the years.
Quinn resurrected the idea of consolidation, which has caused ill feelings since the days of the one-room schoolhouse, but didn't say how much might be saved. His chief of staff, Jack Lavin, said the number of districts in Illinois — now 868 — "should be down significantly."
The Democrat also proposed cutting a $14 million subsidy to 45 regional offices of education, which conduct training and special schools, and reducing by $95 million the amount the state pays to bus students to the classroom.
Overall state support for elementary and secondary education would climb 3.2 percent to $7.2 billion, still 1 percent lower than in 2009-2010 school year. Higher education would see just a slight increase in money, 1.2 percent to $2.15 billion.
Consolidation has historically pitted progress and efficiency against local control and sentimentality. In many small towns, the schoolhouse is the community center and local point of pride. But merged schools mean pooled resources, and advocates say they are better able to retain top teachers and afford the latest technology.
Lawmakers in a sweeping 1985 education reform package required consolidation with the goal of no fewer than 1,500 students in any district with kindergarten through 12th grade. It became an issue in the campaign for governor and the Legislature repealed it months later.
Quinn also recommended cutting $95 million in state funding for transporting pupils to school — except for special education students. If the governor's plan is adopted, the bus budget will have dropped 50 percent from two years ago.
Lavin said local districts wouldn't necessarily have to raise property taxes to pay for buses, but instead could cut layers of unneeded administration.
Quinn said the state could save $14 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1 by cutting support for 45 regional offices of education, run by elected superintendents. They provide bus driver training, area-wide schools for dropouts and truants, GED testing and more.
Lavin said the State Board of Education could pick up the slack or local taxpayers could pick up the tab.
"If the locals elect them, they can pay for them," Lavin said.
Quinn's predecessor, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, proposed eliminating regional offices of education in his first budget address in 2003. Widespread opposition to that plan forced Blagojevich to agree to a compromise that would have cut the number in half by 2005, but that never happened, either.