With state education budget in play, schools need advocate now
With the world's eyes on the Gov. Rod Blagojevich impeachment proceedings, it's easy to forget that other parts of the state are working on schedule.
On Tuesday, the State Board of Education recommended a Fiscal Year 2010 budget to the Governor and General Assembly. That budget, according to a news release, would increase state funding to education by about 2 percent, with the increase going primarily to General State Aid and categoricals including special education and transportation. If approved by the legislators, the $173 million increase from last year's would be the lowest increase in education funding during the past decade, with the exception of Fiscal Year 2003 when funding for education was reduced.
An increase in General State Aid of $114 million, translates into an increase in the per-pupil foundation level of $130 per student, or to $6,089. In addition, the board also voted to fully fund Mandated Categoricals, or services such as summer school, free and reduced breakfast/lunch programs, transportation and special education, which local schools are mandated to provide. In order to fully fund Mandated Categoricals an increase of $145 million is required.
To make those increases, "the board re-prioritized some of the grants and programs that it funds, collapsing more than $111 million in specialty programs and instead directing those funds into General State Aid, which allows districts more flexibility to spend those dollars, and funding for services required by state and federal law," the release noted.
This budget recommendation is a reflection of the uncertain economic times we're in right now. But in its caution is a bit of wisdom: Keep, even increase, the meat and potatoes of state aid while cutting specialty programs to keep balanced, with the hope that funding for specialty programs will bounce back as soon as the economy does.
While he has cut funding for school construction projects, one thing to be said about Gov. Rod Blagojevich is that he has always worked to preserve state aid.
As the impeachment proceedings move swiftly forward, much of the weight of school funding decisions will likely fall into house and senate leaders laps. With schools cutting their budgets across the board in the face of lagging state aid and a rise in home foreclosures, an advocate of state funding is needed in the coming months. Whoever he or she is.
ECC kicks off Black History Month: Looking at the culture's past with reverence and future with hope, Elgin Community College will kick of Black History Month with a bang next week, with a number of inspiring (and low cost) events.
On Monday, the college will feature a Read-In from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the library. Here African-American college faculty and faculty and staff will discuss literary works and historical moments that inspired them.
Thursday at noon, community members can hear authentic African drum music for free in the student resource center's Jobe Lounge. Friday, the McDonald Gospel Choir, praise dancers and Elgin area church choirs. will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center Auditorium. Each Tuesday of the month, soul food dishes will be offered in ECC's cafeteria. The college's black student association will host a 1970s skating party Feb. 20 at Mainstreet USA Skate Center, 23 W. Streamwood Blvd. And Wes Scott, chairman of Elgin's human relations commission, will lecture on blacks in the military at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 23. The month concludes with a dinner honoring college President David Sam Feb. 27. For a full schedule, visit www.elgin.edu or call (847) 214-7262.