Funding bill unfair to Dist. 220 taxpayers

Barrington 220 strives to ensure every student receives the best educational experience possible. As a public school district, we are able to offer a wide range of services and opportunities, thanks in part to local, state and federal tax dollars. A large percentage of our state funding could be in jeopardy if the School Funding Reform Act of 2014 (SB 16) is passed.

Senate Bill 16 was created to equalize public education funding in the state of Illinois. Under the proposed bill, funding for districts with higher assessed property values, such as Barrington 220, will be drastically reduced. This money will then be redistributed to districts with less income from local property taxes. If SB 16 passes in its current state, Barrington 220 would lose 49 percent of its state funding, or $5.4 million per year. We would be among the 20 largest losses in state funding and would experience the biggest decrease among all school districts in Lake County.

The problem does not stop there. The state has fallen short of its current obligation to fund public education by 11 percent for the past three years through a reduction in our general state aid funds. The state also continues to consider the shift of the pension obligation to the local level as well. If SB 16 passes, or if the pension payments are shifted to the local level, it would only compound the issue for our district. To avoid loses in staff or programming and maintain our current level of funding, Barrington 220 would be forced to draw from reserves or place a disproportionate tax burden on local residents.

SB 16 is under consideration by the Illinois House. Please contact your legislators and ask them to carefully consider the impact of SB 16.

Brian Harris

Superintendent

Barrington Unit District 220