By Eric Stock/Terry James
BLOOMINGTON – Some Central Illinois schools might not have enough money to get through the 2016-17 school year without a state budget.
On Tuesday they got an earful from Gov. Bruce Rauner who placed the blame squarely on the Democratic legislative leaders in Springfield for failing to pass an education spending bill.
In a visit to the Regional Alternative School in Bloomington, Rauner slammed the Democrats budget bill as a Chicago bailout and said his plan is more fair for downstate schools.
“We’ve got the money to add about $120 million dollars more to all schools, including Chicago,” Rauner said. “That money is there. That should pass. There’s no reason that can’t pass. Schools should open on time.”
Regional Superintendent of Schools Mark Jontry said the alternative school in Bloomington only has enough money for the fall semester.
“We would have to severely cut back if not cease most of the programming that we offer,” Jontry said.
Jontry added the Regional Alternative School in Bloomington has teachers on a six-month contract in the event the school had to cut back or close after the fall semester – if there’s no state budget.
Rauner didn’t specifically tell educators what to do if there’s still no budget in place by July. He reiterated the problem lies squarely on the shoulders of House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.
“Parents, our children, our teachers deserve so much better,” Rauner said. “They should never expect that and shouldn’t tolerate it.”
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
