Make investment in community schools

As conversations about Illinois' budget continue, people working with and benefiting from community schools around the state, representing 50 schools and more than 2,000 families, recently converged on Springfield. Their mission: to raise awareness about community schools and how they impact children, families and communities throughout Illinois and to encourage the support of a $3 million community school line item in the Illinois State Board of Education's 2009 budget.

This is an investment in our children that we can't afford not to make. As hubs of resources and opportunities for students, families and community members, community schools meet needs in all types of communities. There are more than 250 community schools throughout Illinois; they increase students' academic performances and grades, improve student behavior, promote and improve student and family health, provide educational opportunities for adults and provide structured after school time activities that keep kids safe and active.

Community schools do all of this by maximizing investments made both in schools and in communities -- each $1 spent on a community school leverages another $4-$10 in additional services and resources. It's not about "new funding for new programs;" a $3 million line item in ISBE's budget would leverage a further $12 million or more in existing investments, enabling students, families and community members to access programs and services they may not have otherwise, and leading to positive outcomes for all.

This was the message that the Federation for Community Schools and its members delivered to legislators. We hope they heard us -- the children of Illinois cannot wait any longer for this critical investment in their futures.

Suzanne Armato

Executive Director The Federation for Community Schools

Downers Grove