U-46 board renews membership in state association
Elgin Area School District U-46 officials have authorized spending $40,000 for annual dues to the Illinois Association of School Boards.
The school board voted 4-2 Monday to approve the expense, which will be part of the 2018-19 school year budget.
Suburban school districts spend thousands of dollars annually on dues, conference fees and other program costs associated with lobbying organizations collectively known as the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance.
The Daily Herald surveyed 93 suburban schools that collectively paid more than $2.2 million to the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois Principals Association and Illinois Association of School Business Officials. More than two-thirds of that total went to the school board association, according to a Daily Herald analysis of financial reports.
These groups help administrators and school board members keep up-to-date on education policies, regulations and state-mandated training.
U-46 spent $68,910 last year on these organizations.
School board members Jeanette Ward and Phil Costello voted against the expense for next year because they didn't see the value in membership.
"It seems counterproductive to back an organization that supports laws that cost taxpayers generally, and also fund their lobbying efforts," Ward said.
Costello said he would rather invest the money into schools "and not external forces."
"I feel that these assets could be better used in the classroom for teachers or other resources," he said.
School districts are charged dues based on a formula that combines the district's enrollment and financial health. Dues make up roughly 40 percent of the association's annual revenue, according to IASB.
School board President Donna Smith and board member Sue Kerr said the association offers much more than lobbying services.
"They keep track of legislation ... there are thousands of bills every year and trying to figure out the ones that are directly related to education is difficult," Kerr said. "They also provide guidance on policy updates for when legislation gets passed. We are legally bound to follow all of the stuff that goes on in Springfield. They also provide information for board members. Remember, board members aren't trained."
The group offers resources, such as online classes and magazine articles. Also, the district would have to pay someone to monitor all the legal and legislative issues, which likely would cost a lot more than $40,000, Kerr added.