(Photo courtesy Facebook/Jason Barickman)
By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said he has a plan to filed the state’s broken school funding formula.
Barickman said he plans to file a revision to an earlier proposal. Barickman’s legislation establishes an evidence-based school funding formula that uses 27 variables to determine how much funding each district received, based on the real costs of the districts, accepted best practices, and student demographics.
“Collectively, these bills provide real parity in terms of funding, pension costs and management flexibility,” Barickman said. “The result is we are treating all schools the same which has been a big driver of opinions throughout both parties, both chambers in the legislature.
Barickman’s plan would also give districts more flexibility in contracting some services, such as transportation, that could cut costs.
Barickman added he hopes to get legislation moving sooner rather than later.
“The time is right for us to hear the evidence-based model in the Senate and I’m prepared to present it in committee when we return,” Barickman said.
The Illinois Senate is scheduled to reconvene April 25.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
