By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois lawmakers meet to once again talk about how to better pay for the state’s schools, local school leaders want to talk about “adequate” vs. “equitable” aid.
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s school-funding commission is already looking at “equitable”: how to make sure Illinois’ schools get a “fair” level of state help.
But local superintendents said it’s not enough to set fair price tags for all 860 school districts in the state. They want “adequate” help.
Galesburg Superintendent Ralph Grimm explained the difference: He wants only enough funding to help pay for state and federal requirements — and a few other big-ticket items local taxpayers can’t afford to cover.
“What does a local district have to have, and we’re talking mostly money primarily,” Grimm said. “What do they have to have at the local level…to provide an adequate education?”.
Grimm said it costs less to teach students in Galesburg than in Naperville, but he said Naperville schools should be free to offer unique classes to help their students.
McLean County Regional Superintendent Mark Jontry said most local schools are willing to accept less money — if they get more freedom.
“We probably have to get away from this concept of ‘equity as being all encompassing because every district is different,” Jontry said.
Rauner’s school-funding commission met on Wednesday.
