More transparency in school funding

Your editorial of Nov. 23, "Accountability will improve schools" highlighted needed reforms that must be considered before additional taxpayer dollars are poured into Illinois' broken public school system. I have filed HB5769 - Education Fiscal Accountability amendments to the School Code as a result of research and collaboration by elected officials, advocacy groups, educators, administrators and school board members. As you suggest, the bill provides for increased transparency so taxpayers understand how money is being spent in their local schools and can evaluate if that investment is leading to good outcomes for students.

The requirements of this legislation call for improved audit procedures, written financial policies prepared in plain English available to the public with opportunities for public dialogue, five-year capital improvement plans with a public hearing process, and a user-friendly executive summary of a school district's budget. School board members will be required to complete at least four hours of training on their financial oversight, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities. School boards will be required to establish an audit committee, and a statewide office of Education Inspector General is established to investigate complaints of misconduct, waste, fraud and financial mismanagement with subpoena powers and authority to refer for prosecution if applicable.

Considerable effort has been made to include all stakeholders in these discussions. While not yet a fully agreed bill, there are only a few minor areas of disagreement. All discussions of increased funding for education have included a commitment to the language of HB5769. I appreciate your attention to this important issue and join you in encouraging voters to ask candidates for school boards to offer increased transparency and accountability in their work - they don't need a new law to get this started. They do need to demonstrate their accountability to the taxpayers and students they serve.

Kathy Ryg

State Representative

District 59

Vernon Hills