Crespo, Baumer talk school funding reform

The candidates for the 44th District state House seat are comparing their views and experience levels when it comes to addressing possible changes to Illinois' school funding formula and its potential impact on school quality.

Democratic state Rep. Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates is chairman of the House's Education Curriculum & Policies Committee, a position he says makes him better able to take on the challenges facing the state's schools.

Republican challenger Katy Dolan Baumer of Streamwood agrees that the role probably gives Crespo a head start on details, but she believes there's a downside to his experience given the overall condition of Illinois.

"He's been there for 10 years, and after 10 years we have a state that's falling apart," Baumer said.

Any change to the school funding formula is particularly relevant to the 44th District, which includes districts that would benefit from a proposed change, such as Elgin Area School District U-46, as well as those that could lose funding, including Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 and Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.

Crespo said he opposes any solution that would leave any district worse off. A true solution should be a win for every district in terms of both quality and equity.

"Do we have a model that would get rid of the disparity in the state?" he said.

Baumer said the current system is outdated and in need of a change, and that many school systems in the state - like Chicago - are in need of help.

"I think it needs to be looked at," Baumer said. "I don't know what the true answer is."

However, she said help for poorer districts shouldn't come on the backs of suburban districts.

A few months ago, Gov. Bruce Rauner created the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission, which answers directly to him but is expected to make recommendations to the House for a revision of the current school funding formula by Feb. 1.

One of the things the governor's commission is looking at is how other states handle the issue.

While Illinois school districts receive the majority of their funding from local property taxes, Vermont is nearly the opposite, with state funding paying for about 92 percent of costs without a significant difference in quality, Crespo said.

The 44th District includes parts of Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood.