Locals starting to freak out over K-12 funding
Wednesday, Apr 6, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* All the chatter about the Senate Democrats holding up a school funding bill until the funding formula is reformed is starting to cause some serious anxiety at the local levels…
Altamont Unit 10 Schools Superintendent Jeff Fritchtnitch says local school districts are tired of “enabling” a dysfunctional state government, and adds that a lack of state funding could make it necessary to keep his schools closed this fall.
Fritchtnitch, during a conversation at Friday’s Chamber Employee Appreciation Luncheon and by phone Tuesday, indicated that he and many other superintendents have had to eat into their reserves to make up for the shortfall in state dollars. A lack of state aid if a new spending plan isn’t enacted for the start of the new state fiscal year July 1 could help districts like Altamont to remain closed. He asked, “Why would we begin school and hold classes for a month or two and then be forced to close if state funding isn’t forthcoming?”
The problem isn’t new; in recent years, the State has set foundation levels for funding for school districts, but have then pro-rated what they actually allocate for things like transportation. It has left local school officials guessing, wishing and hoping for what funding they will receive and then trying to prepare their own budgets accordingly, and using their own reserves to cover the shortfall from the State.
This past year saw a lack of agreement on a state budget, which was supposed to take effect last July 1. Some are now operating under the assumption that there won’t be a budget for the current fiscal year.
The one thing that was agreed on for the current fiscal year was Grades K-12 funding. Now, the rancor in Springfield has grown to the point that a K-12 funding package for the coming year isn’t a certainty. The lack of funding now seen at colleges and universities could be seen in K-12 schools without state funding for the coming fiscal year. That has Fritchtnitch and other superintendents wondering about whether to open schools this fall.
Discuss.
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:31 am:
Don’t get me wrong, I was, and still am, against the hostage taking approach the governor adopted. But if the threat of taking K-12 hostage moves the needle off center…
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:34 am:
First of all hostage taking is a deplorable tactic and it’s horrific that real politik tactics are being employed by both sides. But since I’m fallen from grace, I do have to admit a tremendous amount of schadenfreude in Fritchtnitch’s reaction. He’s just beginning to feel it when he’s got to tap into reserves. Try being a private social service agency with NO RESERVES and having to close down entirely, laying off staff and financially destroying many lives and families. Urge the Governor to drop the poison pills, make peace with Labor, and do HIS job.
- Joe M - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:43 am:
However, piece-meal funding of just K-12 could also prolong the “’enabling” a dysfunctional state government,..’” As long as the K-12 schools remain open, some politicians will be content to prolong the stalemate for everything else. At some point, the state needs a complete budget.
- Coach - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:46 am:
I agree totally! I think all the Superintendents and School Boards in the State should come together and tell their District that because the State of Illinois doesn’t have a budget at the State Level and they can’t have exact figures on what their school will receive for the next year,so school will not start until a budget is agreed upon! People of the communities will be in an uproar with no school or extra-curricular activities such as High School Football or Volleyball, etc. able to begin next fall! I’m sure something will give at the State Level then!
- downstate commissioner - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:47 am:
Have to agree with the question about opening, and then having to close schools a short time later. If there isn’t enough money to run a business, the business closes.
The non-opening of a bunch of schools and the screams from the parents and g-parents (and unpaid teachers and support staff and vendors) who will have to babysit them may be the noise that wakes Republican legislators up.
- Gandalfx - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:47 am:
Bruce Rauner ran on a platform promising to “shake up Springfield,” and the voters of Illinois elected him Governor. The state should act accordingly, and let the wheels of government stop. There needs to be an honest assessment of whether or not citizens understand the role of government in their lives, and place any value in the services provided by government.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:49 am:
I am surprised the visual of a billionaire gov. holding hostage the most vulnerable among us in order to get his union busting measures does not get more press or traction. The top .1% is hurting the bottom .1% in order to hurt the 50%.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:53 am:
Rauner will own the destruction. Just sit back, stay on message it is all Rauner’s fault there is no budget, and just let him own it. He wanted a shutdown (just not this one) so give it to him. Even though his actions since have proved otherwise, he said he could take the arrows. He’ll be a pin cushion by opening day.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:56 am:
===Bruce Rauner ran on a platform promising to “shake up Springfield,” and the voters of Illinois elected him Governor. The state should act accordingly, and let the wheels of government stop. There needs to be an honest assessment of whether or not citizens understand the role of government in their lives, and place any value in the services provided by government.===
The fact Rauner refuses to take the heat for his own actions that could include keeping K-12 schools from opening.
Your lil theory is cute, but Rauner knows that governors own and Rauner needs K-12 schools open.
Otherwise, Rauner wouldn’t have signed the Approp last year.
You’re welcome.
- downstate commissioner - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:56 am:
My last comment wasn’t the best organized, but you get the idea.
Wonder what would happen if teachers weren’t paid and the IEA got involved” Carrying it just a bit further, how about a one-day teachers’ strike STATEWIDE? Or a State-wide “furlough” day organized by the state School Board Administrators, or the IHSA and IESA? Rauner might fine it advisable to NOT attend local ball games…
- Jimmy H - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:58 am:
How will this help other hostages? If there is a budget passed won’t Rauner veto everything except K-12? I think all this does is hold K-12 hostage as leverage for a new K-12 funding formula.
- downstate commissioner - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:59 am:
finD it, not fine it. Sorry
- cdog - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:59 am:
I do not recognize the name of the reporter and his comment shows a lack of historical knowledge, “The one thing that was agreed on for the current fiscal year was Grades K-12 funding.”
So silly. Let’s be reminded that there was no agreement. There was a Rauner brick on K-12. Unfortunately for them, Radagno, Durkin, and all the Raunerbots, were duped. Someone got hold of Rauner, he listened, and did not veto.
There was no grand agreement. please.
- Chucktownian - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:01 am:
As one of the current hostages here at EIU, let me echo the earlier hostage-taking comments in this thread.
However, since there’s no 2016 budget yet there cannot be any funding yet for K-12 for 2017. Sorry but them’s the breaks.
If I were in the legislature, I would never worry about anything for 2017’s budget until 2016’s budget is completed.
If this leads to anxiety for school officials, perhaps it should have before now. Please apply pressure to Springfield.
Signed,
Just one of the thousands of hostages of the Raunerites
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:02 am:
@RNUG - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 9:53 am:
Exactly, and MJM has done that almost everyday. Let me see if I can remember what he has said almost every day. MJM: “The number one problem facing the state of Illinois is the budget. The budget must be balanced with a combination of cuts and revenue. This problem will be solved in moderation and not the extreme. Insisting on non budget items before passing a budget is operating in the extreme. I pledge to work professionally and cooperatively with the gov. To the extent that name calling occurs, it makes the process more difficult”.
- Earnest - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:02 am:
I’m a big proponent of the leave-no-hostages-behind approach for the FY17 budget. It might be the only level of pressure that helps the House Republicans make things happen. The lesson from the most recent primaries is that listening to your constituents is what gets people elected. If their constituents are telling them to hold out for the complete Turnaround Agenda, that’s what they should do. If they are saying compromise enough to get the job done, that’s what they should do.
- Tone - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:03 am:
If it weren’t for the news telling me that there was no state budget, I would have no idea. I can’t imagine that many people are really effected by this.
- steward - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:03 am:
Interesting that a pure free market theorist is now the champion of publicly funded education to the point where they deserve a special classified status above many other state spending priorities.
Or he is just afraid that K-12 failing to pass will crack his hold on the GA GOP + Dunkin and make his grand leverage strategy fail.
Rauner, the champion of the downstate public school system. Who knew? /s
- winners and losers - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:04 am:
The Cullerton threat (no K-12 funding until school funding formulas are changed) is matched by the Manar threat (any funding using current formulas would be “a waste of money”).
The new Manar proposal is Dead on Arrival.
- Facts are Stubborn Things - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:04 am:
MJM is a patient man and he understands what RNUG explained above better then everyone. MJM is not about to establish the precedent that to get a budget you have to give up core non budget items. MJM makes other side bargain with themselves and not the other way around.
- SAP - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:07 am:
I hate the idea of k-12 not being funded as much as I hate state employees not getting paid, but it looks like that combo is the only way to end the impasse. I don’t think the budget will get broken down into 5 or 6 individual bills this time. I bet the whole thing gets lumped into a single bill.
- cdog - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:07 am:
Can we please incorporate some PROPERTY TAX RELIEF into this discussion and action of changing the school funding formula!?!
How about not opening schools until a PROGRESSIVE INCOME TAX amendment is on the ballot?
How about incorporating into any grand bargain the removal of the local school district from my property tax bill?
Come on folks, this is your chance!
Is there really no political will to help the middle class with this?
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:09 am:
Divide and Conquer- the Rauner Chaos and Crisis Method.
A complete budget needs to be done. Piece mealing only intensifies the problem. That should be obvious from the FY 16 Budget Games.
While I understand the fear, and it is fear, of the repercussions that local school staff and administration will face if open/close happens, this also needs to be understood-
Students, and their families, don’t live in the vacuum of SCHOOL. Many depend on services that have been either left unfunded, or seriously cut because of the Budget Games. Some level of government is going to have to step in. And, some local levels are doing just that with local tax increases.
So, if you (Illinoisan in general, including ALL legislators), don’t want to have to face the consequences of letting Rauner insist on K-12 first and then (unlikely) he’ll bargain the rest, then INSIST on something else.
One Total Budget, and understand that an Override (or more than one) will be necessary, and tax increases will also be necessary. Red and Yellow makes Orange and gets us nowhere.
- SAP - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:11 am:
If lack of funding causes some schools to not open, we have another Constitutional crisis on our hands:
SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS
A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the
educational development of all persons to the limits of their
capacities.
The State shall provide for an efficient system of high
quality public educational institutions and services.
Education in public schools through the secondary level shall
be free. There may be such other free education as the
General Assembly provides by law.
The State has the primary responsibility for financing
the system of public education.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
Ugh
- Mama - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:11 am:
I think Lisa should shut down the whole state. A shut down of all state services (except prisons) will be the fastest way to get the 4 leaders and the governor to compromise. If there is a total shut down there will be a budget within a month.
- Peters Post - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:19 am:
As the parent of a Chicago Public School high school junior I do not wish the threat of not opening schools on any parent, teacher or even the public. We already have a potential strike in May closing CPS and the three furlough days and one strike day already announced. When the College situation has been discussed one consequence has been the suggestion that Illinois students will go to college out of state. Then I think how will those out of state colleges evaluate my sons junior year preparation? Will they think it was incomplete and inadequate and turn him away? I think that is the real potential.
It is good Fritchnitch is warning of the dangers ahead. I am just not confident that closing the schools leads to a state budget / funding of education and social services.
I kinda like the Lisa Madigan approach of tossing it back to the courts.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:21 am:
-If it weren’t for the news telling me that there was no state budget, I would have no idea. I can’t imagine that many people are really effected by this.-
Nope, not going to feed you. Just go away. I pray that nobody feeds the bait tossing troll.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:22 am:
==If it weren’t for the news telling me that there was no state budget, I would have no idea. I can’t imagine that many people are really effected by this.==
Oh please. What a daft thing to say. Just when I think your comments couldn’t get any more weird.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:23 am:
== How will this help other hostages? If there is a budget passed won’t Rauner veto everything except K-12? ==
== I bet the whole thing gets lumped into a single bill. ==
Nope. The way you get around that is pass a complete budget, put the school funding in a separate bill, and send all the bills EXCEPT the school funding one to Rauner. Once he signs all the other budget bills or let’s them become law without him signature, THEN you send then school funding bill to him.
That is the one major point of leverage the GA has. Çullerton just demonstrated how it works with his now lifted hold on the Chicago Police Pension fund bill; think that was SB-777.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:25 am:
===If it weren’t for the news telling me that there was no state budget, I would have no idea. I can’t imagine that many people are really effected by this.===
You must have a lonely life, bud.
Higher Ed alone has families struggling and worried and concerned.
Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, before Rauner, you couldn’t swing a cat by the tail and not hit a social service provider, no matter where you live.
How about towns looking to increase fees, local property taxes looking to possibly increase, if they aren’t schedule to rise already.
I get it - Tone - and it’s now endearing how you take on the role of “Glum” in The Gulliver’s Travels cartoon, but at least pretend to be honest.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:26 am:
Mama- I think the reality is going to be getting the Four Leaders to agree to work together. My take on Rauner is that there is never going to be enough of any compromise to satisfy him. That would stop the “shakin’”. Even though his responses to reporters’ questions at yesterday’s presser started out measured and thoughtful, the responses soon took a downhill slide back to the campaign rhetoric of “gotta have growth” and “need reforms first”. He is treatin the State as if it is his privately owned business. That is not compatible with the social functions of a government, and he can’t seem to understand or appreciate that.
- steward - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:27 am:
“If it weren’t for the news telling me that there was no state budget, I would have no idea. I can’t imagine that many people are really effected by this.”
Must be awesome to live within the warm insulating cocoon of privilege.
- Decaf Coffee Party - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:28 am:
K-12 schools make perfect hostages for those who believe they can win this war of madness.
Given the economic impact in communities where schools are among the largest employers,the child care crisis that would exist for many working parents, and the fact that in many communities schools provide their own social services safety net (free and reduced meals, counseling) more people than ever would start to feel the negative impact of this game of political “chicken”.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:31 am:
RNUG- The one thing, though, that Rauner will seize on if the K-12 funding is held up until he addresses the rest of the budget (in your scenario), is that now he has the power to point at the Dems for the reason why the schools can’t open in the fall because now THEY aren’t submitting a plan. I have a feeling he’d love that scenario, and would just sit back and grin all the way to November.
- Joe M - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:35 am:
This pitting of K-12 funding verses higher ed funding verses funding for social programs has got to stop. The state needs a complete comprehensive budget.
As Emily Miller at Voices for Illinois Children said: “The crisis of the day is the destruction of our higher education system, [or today its our k-12 education system] but we shouldn’t forget the other foreseeable and preventable results of not having a fully-funded budget, including: …
https://capitolfax.com/2016/03/02/new-report-details-the-human-carnage-of-the-impasse/
- Tone - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:42 am:
“You must have a lonely life, bud.”
Nope, just the opposite. I have a huge family and lots of friends. No one says, god darn it, the lack of a state budget is really hurting me.
- Elliott Ness - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:43 am:
This scenario will play out in hundreds of schools, not as a political “threat” but a REALITY. When it does,mothers will be hundreds of thousands of children affected and also you will get moms very angry- you want trouble? Real trouble?? Just mess with tens of thousands of moms (and dads) and the future of their children in order to push a political agenda. If people are not engaged or feel the pain yet……they will, indeed they will and the burn will be felt in the fall of K-12 schools cannot open their doors.
- Tone - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:43 am:
- SAP - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:11 am:
If lack of funding causes some schools to not open, we have another Constitutional crisis on our hands:
SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS
A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the
educational development of all persons to the limits of their
capacities.
The State shall provide for an efficient system of high
quality public educational institutions and services.
Education in public schools through the secondary level shall
be free. There may be such other free education as the
General Assembly provides by law.
The State has the primary responsibility for financing
the system of public education.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
Things like this are funny. Constitutions don’t determine if math works.
- SAP - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:45 am:
==Nope. The way you get around that is pass a complete budget, put the school funding in a separate bill, and send all the bills EXCEPT the school funding one to Rauner. Once he signs all the other budget bills or let’s them become law without him signature, THEN you send then school funding bill to him.== I think we are saying similar things, although your solution is more elegant. The point is, the GA cannot let the Governor have k-12 without putting the rest of the budget in place.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:47 am:
- Anon221 -
That’s why you pass and submit the other budget bills at least 60 days before school opening. Don’t give Rauner the chance to hold them up past, say, August 1 or 15 (means get it all done by early to mid June). If Rauner vetoes, just put it back on Rauner. Adopt Rauner’s (and lots of other historical tryant’s) tactics: anything repeated loud enough and long enough will be perceived by the public as the truth.
The destruction of Rauner’s agenda is, to follow on to yesterday’s metaphor, the “bulldozer fee” that will be required.
- HistoryProf - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:49 am:
I still consider myself a newbie here, and so it is gratifying when C-dog and others who know more than I do echo my own thoughts by saying, “How about not opening schools until a PROGRESSIVE INCOME TAX amendment is on the ballot?”
So what is the barrier to putting that amendment on the ballot? It passed as an advisory referendum last time, correct?
Is the barrier that MJM does not have enough votes for it?
- Elliott Ness - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:52 am:
Schools cannot wait until August to plan to open school. The 60 day clock must start sooner. Supplies, hiring back laid off employees and other operational needs cannot be met in a couple of weeks. Schools need to know in June and that is why we see Superintendents beginning to make statements like this. Everyone should heed their words, they are not making political statements or taking sides, they are warning everyone of the consequences that face their communities and children.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 10:58 am:
Most schools have been reducing and cutting for the better part of a decade now. That is why you do not see as many large layoffs (RIF’s) these days. We have been doing it all along.
And, we have been losing funding for years in ways that do not get picked up by the media. We are not getting made whole either. I have great appreciation and compassion for social services. What is happening to them is also another blow to schools as we need them more than ever. While we need more social workers and counselors those are often the people that get cut, or don’t get rehired when someone leaves, or we just cannot afford to add to meet needs.
This year alone, we will not receive (at current pace) almost $1 million in funding we are entitled to from the state. That is general state aid (GSA) and mandated categoricals (MCATS) like transportation where we are told we will only get about 25% of our full entitlement. For a rural district small in population (1200) but big in geography (200 sq miles) that is a big bite.
We are not ever going to get the money back. The running total is now north of $4 million over 6 years. We have used our reserves and reduced spending by $1 million.
I understand, as much as anyone, the frustration of other superintendents and the desire to get some improvement or to try and force it.
That said, to close your doors or to not open the school year when you have the money to do so is nothing short of educational malpractice. While we have a responsibility to advocate for our students with our elected officials and educate them to our needs and issues our primary responsibility is to provide an education for students. If you can only fund the operation for 2 months then that is your responsibility. But to close doors when you can keep them open is wrong and it hurts students.
If there is no budget, schools will close. Some will not have a choice. Ultimately that may force action. To close doors preemptively is a violation of our responsibilities and it puts one on par with people like Madigan and Rauner.
- South Central - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:02 am:
I read this news report yesterday and thought it interesting that this was coming from a school district in Effingham County, which is still very much Rauner Country. The local radio station does pretty good, basic reporting on local issues, but don’t expect in-depth research on state issues.
Until more people feel the effects of not having a budget, Rauner is not going to feel the heat. I believe that’s why the schools were funded this year. Rauner gets to play the hero.
If all state services shut down, except for emergency services, we would have a budget soon after. It needs to happen before schools are affected. I’m not saying I want a shutdown. I know the damage that causes, and we can clearly see the damaged institutions around us now.
The more school superintendents that freak out, the better!
- SAP - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:05 am:
Tone: My point is that if we get to the point where the math doesn’t work, some combination of the school district, the State Board of Ed., and the Governor, will have to defend themselves against a Constitution-level violation. Pension funds going dry do not free the State from the obligation to pay pensions. I see a similar problem brewing with education. Nothing funny about it.
- UISer - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:08 am:
Welcome to higher ed’s reality.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:13 am:
=== “How about not opening schools until a PROGRESSIVE INCOME TAX amendment is on the ballot?” ===
So the idea is to use a failed Rauner tactic to use against Rauner and the GOP. It’s a non-starter and the Dems know it.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:16 am:
Seems like my comments are now moderated though I don’t know why. I’ll try again.
==No one says, god darn it, the lack of a state budget is really hurting me.==
Yes. Everything is just fine. No problems out there whatsoever because of the lack of a budget.
- Indochine - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:20 am:
I think Jim Nowlan in a recent column I read advocated that schools cancel the opening of their football seasons as both a fiscal-saving matter and an impetus to make people pay attention.
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:21 am:
If there is enough money to do so, the schools should open. Assuming no change until after the November election, I’d guess there are sufficient
funds to keep all k-1
- Tone - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:26 am:
Still over 52K jobs down from 2001. Illinois is a national joke.
http://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/illinois.htm#eag
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:26 am:
= I’d guess there are sufficient
funds to keep all k-1 =
You would guess wrong.
- Tone - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:30 am:
Imagine how poorly job growth would be in Illinois without Chicago. The metro area was at peak employment last year. And it continues to show some growth.
http://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/il_chicago_md.htm
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 11:31 am:
Oops-sorry.
…sufficient funds to keep all k-12 kids in school until January, when, I presume, a budget will be passed covering both years, separately or together, whatever. To not keep schools open would be immoral-with both political parties to blame.
Alas, c-dog, there is no relief for the middle class in anybody’s planning. Illinois is a flat tax state. No way a progressive tax shows up in the near future. So the middle class will be paying disproportionately more when the bill comes due. It’s Illinois. Our politicians have not been listening to the income equality speeches of some national candidates. They really don’t care. It’s all about them-and to be clear, I mean every single one of them in both parties.
- Yo - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 12:09 pm:
Cassandra- your presumption of ALL schools being able to stay open until January is FALSE! Maybe some wealthy suburban schools but certainly not many others- they will be forced into action. Mills is correct, this should not be done unless necessary but IT WILL BE NECESSARY.
- No Use For A Name - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 12:22 pm:
How quickly some forget their strident anti-hostage taking stance now that Democrats are the ones choosing to do so.
- No Use For A Name - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 12:31 pm:
“Your lil theory is cute, but Rauner knows that governors own and Rauner needs K-12 schools open.”
Rauner also knows that the public is smart enough to realize who is holding up the opening or operating of K-12 schools while making other demands.
Even Rauner understands that you don’t mess with K-12. Ever.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 12:36 pm:
=Even Rauner understands that you don’t mess with K-12. Ever.=
Then why is he doing it? Banned word.
- Chucktownian - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
I don’t think I would ever begin a statement with “Rauner understands.”
- ??? - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
Cassandra wrote:
“Oops-sorry.
…sufficient funds to keep all k-12 kids in school until January, when, I presume, a budget will be passed covering both years, separately or together, whatever.”
I disagree with your assumption that there are funds to keep K-12 schools open. I think your original post, in which you inadvertently wrote “K-1″ was probably more accurate.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 12:44 pm:
RNUG i get what you are saying, but IMHO its too complicated for the average voter to follow it being Rauners fault if the funding bill is held back. I think this will hurt the dems. right now rauners blame madigan campaign polls well, but does horrible at election time. no point in giving rauner real ammo when he wants to hurls duds loudly and repeatedly on his failed meme.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
Terrible mistake by Cullerton.
I understand the temptation to get down in the gutter and fight Rauner at his own level with his own tactics, but it’s just flat-out wrong.
Let Rauner and his GOP sheep in the GA be the misanthropic gangsters. This too, shall pass.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 2:06 pm:
@Wordslinger- “Terrible mistake by Cullerton”
Your entire post is spot on. I wish I was as gifted at summing these things up as you are.
Superintendents and schools need to do their best to keep the doors open and not play in the mud with the politicians.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 3:32 pm:
The Cullerton Mistake has allowed daylight for Rauner to blame K-12 funding on Cullerton, and in turn, the budget impasse(?)
The Cullerton Rehab of this, putting the onus on Rauner is helping, but you can’t unring a bell, and while it’s the best fix to the mistake, Rauner isn’t going to let this go anytime soon.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 3:43 pm:
== Superintendents and schools need to do their best to keep the doors open and not play in the mud with the politicians. ==
Maybe every school district should start a countdown clock for next school year based on currently available funds …
- Chucktownian - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 5:15 pm:
School superintendents: From one hostage (at EIU) to another, welcome to hostage status.
Perhaps it’s time to push for a budget for the current fiscal year and then we can all worry about next year.
Maybe you should’ve fussed about this before now?
Not a penny for anything in 2017 until the 2016 budget is finished.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Apr 6, 16 @ 7:51 pm:
RNUG- Countdown is a great idea. Many schools did ( may still be doing?) the “We are owed $xxxxxx(x) by the State” before to inform their local communities. A countdown may really get more attention and action (re pressure) on lawmakers who can’t find their green buttons.