(WJBC file photo)
By Greg Halbleib
BLOOMINGTON – A local school administrator says the Democratic-based school funding proposal in Senate Bill 1 is the most politically realistic, even with extra money for Chicago school pensions.
District 87 Superintendent Barry Reilly told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn that while he favors the Republican counter-proposal formed by State Senator Jason Barickman, Senate Bill 1 is a decent measure. He pointed out that the Illinois Association of School Administrators signed off on SB 1.
“The state does not currently have a funding model that’s based on evidence, and Senate Bill 1 is,” Reilly said. “I understand the governor’s position given that Chicago is treated differently. Barickman’s bill is better. I just don’t see that realistically they’re going to pass Barickman’s bill. If they can come together with a compromise, great. I’m just not optimistic that’s going to get done.”
PODCAST: Listen here to Reilly’s interview on WJBC.
https://audioboom.com/posts/6129229-barry-reilly-dist-87-superintendent-7-21-17
Reilly said the Chicago school pension issue is aside from the basic purpose of the measure, which is K-12 funding.
“In a sense, we’re being held hostage,” Reilly explained. “This is different than the last couple of years when universities were in this boat. Public pre-K through 12 education really needs to get this done.”
Reilly said District 87 would receive about $160,000 more in state funding under Senate Bill 1 and about twice that in the GOP proposal. He added that as long as the state pays what’s promised, District 87 will be fine.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
