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* You should probably try to read this entire article before responding to today’s question. The piece is about duties assigned to the regional superintendents of schools…
Not all states use a system of regional superintendents to act as a layer of administration between a state-level education department and local school districts.
A survey by the Education Commission of the States showed 17 states without a system of regional superintendents. The other 33 states did have some level of administration between the state and local school system, although their structures varied widely.
Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hustonville, who is also Hutsonville school superintendent, said direct state-to-state comparisons don’t make much sense.
“States are different. Illinois is a local-control state,” Eddy said.
* The Question: Once the dust finally settles over Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of salaries for regional superintendents of education, do you think the General Assembly ought to change state law and abolish those positions, keep the law as it is, or, as Quinn wants, force local governments to pay for the offices if they decide they want them? Take the poll and then please explain your answer in comments.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 1:10 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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I think we have too many layers of administration as it is. It probably isn’t politically correct to use the phrase “too many chiefs and not enough Indians” anymore” but I think that’s the case. We need more teachers, not more administrators. If there is something so important that the regional supes are doing that can’t be done locally or at the state level, then let the local school boards band together in a sort of IGO and form their own regional office. Otherwise, as a former Speaker once infamously said “let them wither on the vine.”
Comment by HoosierDaddy Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 1:46 pm
Abolish them and create a new system(s) to provide the services more efficiently. I realize that’s not one of the options listed, but that’s my plan.
I almost feel sorry for the Springfield GED adminstrator quoted in the story. 400 GED tests every year is what, less than 10 per week? I know, he also has to grade 19,000 GED tests, but c’mon, 10 actual tests per week? We need a full-time state-funded public employee to do that?
I think there ought to be better ways to deliver these services that don’t include government employees handling them on a full-time basis. I think the State Board of Ed can do oversight on contractors the same way DHS does oversight on its contractors that deliver services.
But at the end of the day, it’s really hard for me to care that much about this tiny, obscure issue.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 1:52 pm
This is a tough one because I have a friend that is employed by a RS’s office. While my friend works very hard doing a myriad of different things in the office, I can honestly say that every time I have had to go to the office the RS is NEVER there. I think either the locals have to start coughing up the money to keep the office open or ISBE has to take them under their wing. Either way, keep the employees that do the actual work required but dump the RSs who are paid way too much. I’m not sure when this was made an elected position but it should never have been done.
Comment by Anon from SI Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:10 pm
We have far too many administrators, rules and regulations in Illinois along with mandates from the federal govt. RS are overpaid. and the functions could be moved to SBE. Superintendents and staff spend all their time managing state regulations.
Comment by Liberty First Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:20 pm
Abolish the offices. Hard to believe the duties can’t be picked up by the state or local districts.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:25 pm
I agree with HoosierDaddy and Liberty First. The only way I see there being a viable role for regional superintendents is if they receive actual superintendent duties as part of a consolidation plan to centralize administrative functions of small school districts. Either way, numerous high-paid administrators disappear, allowing more education $ to be directed to classroom instruction or (if necessary) to student transportation.
Comment by cover Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:29 pm
17 states with no intervening level of admin?
Might those include the 7 that have smaller populations than DuPage County?
And perhpas most of the next 11 states, all under 2.8 million?
Population and geography matter some in this analysis.
Comment by titan Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:32 pm
The legislature abolished the office in Cook County last year because suburban Cook school districts were so poorly served by the last supt., the indicted Charles Flowers.
If the state’s largest county can make it without a regional supt, it just might be possible elsewhere. Naturally the education establishment — which Rep. Eddy is part of — will defend the status quo.
Comment by reformer Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:51 pm
The ROEs need to be retained, at least in more sparsely populated areas downstate. They provide a local contact point for local schools, and they save money by consolidating some functions. If the ROEs are eliminated, the state board will have to open up regional offices to meet the functions that have been transferred up. The local schools will have to hire people to perform the work transferred down. It seems unlikely that these transfers of work will create any efficiency, and, if it is more efficient, let’s see the analysis.
The bottom line: someone, somewhere has to do the work. If there is to be a change, it should be based on more data than is currently being brought to the table.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:53 pm
I wanted to think about this before I voted and posted. I voted for the abolition of these offices. It’s nothing personal against the current ROE honchos. However, they are also political - and everything in this state is political, which gets old after a while. I’m not fan of school boards, either, but at least school boards are elected by people in an immediate, local area, as opposed to ROE supes which are often responsible for a few (or more) counties. Many of these duties could be carried out by local school districts. Cost is a consideration. And since state reps and senators seem aghast at the thought of forced consolidation, even a revised role for ROE supes wouldn’t cut the mustard.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 2:54 pm
I don’t think it is fair for the state to balance their budget by shifting the costs to local governments. Retain essential ROE services and make the delivery of those services more efficient. Once that is done we can look at consolidating offices further, perhaps incorporating them more fully into the ISBE.
Comment by Kerfuffle Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 3:06 pm
i voted to get rid of this useless layer of bureaucracy. still can’t figure out what they do that can’t be performed (and probably better) by an unelected professional…
Comment by bored now Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 3:21 pm
Get rid of the useless education laws, rules and regulations. Then get rid of the ROEs and cut the state department of education.
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 3:32 pm
Where we need to trim the fat is in Chicago- that is where the new capital of the state is. Why do we need Springfield when the politicians live there? Corruption, greed and favoritism all play a big part of the decisions made. Cutting anything that has to do with the education of our children/students is dispicable. Let’s keep cutting education so we can be proud of our future? It makes no sense. There is no quick fix or “do overs” in the financial mess that has been created in Illinois. We need to begin a road to repairing what is broken; not destroying what is working. We need to hold those in control accountable.
Comment by CIB Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 3:46 pm
Eliminate these positions, they’re just an extra bureaucratic stop between local districts and Springfield.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 3:55 pm
Eliminate the positions but make intelligent reassignment of the important duties of the office. And anything relating to teacher certification should be done by the IL State Board of Education. They set the “rules” for certification, they should see they are carried out. This is not an area that should be subject to the possible politics and/or prejudices of “local control.”
Comment by Yes, but Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 4:06 pm
A layer of bureaucracy that really isn’t needed. Lots of savings could be realized.
Comment by Deep South Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 4:10 pm
Eliminate the positions. We have enough layers in the education system that are sucking up the education dollars.
Comment by A Regular Voter Speaks Friday, Sep 9, 11 @ 4:53 pm
If these duties performed by the ROE are going to be absorded by local schools and school boards, then the state needs to pay monies due. We are floundering as it is. Teachers are using more and more of their own money to fund their classrooms. Workshops, field trips, projects are coming back “denied - lack of funding”. And now you want us to take on more financial responsibility?! Work in my shoes and then tell me what you really think.
Comment by "Just A Teacher" Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 8:28 am
Keep the ROE Supt. and Asst. Supt. and keep the office in tact. Pay these people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 8:36 am
The State system needs a local presence to interpret and cut through red tape. I need a place to go locally for certification and to get questions answered face to face. If duties of regional superintendents are to be reassigned, then other agencies have to pick up those responsibilities and be able cover the costs of carrying them out. Regional Offices have a focus on education and what’s good for students. Other government agencies do not work from that context.
Comment by interested citizen Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 8:36 am
For the Governor to just blindly say these positions aren’t supported and ignore state law is totally absurd! ROE’s do more good for the education system than any potential savings the Gov. thinks he is creating! IF, and I say that pretty loosely, the Gov. is in favor of eliminating the ROE Superintendents, let him take the high road and propose a new state law that allows funding for staff etc. while still allowing the ability of the office to create grants etc. to continue doing their great work. A MAJOR port of the ROE’s impact is funded by grants etc. that the various offices write and secure, not by state funding. This is more like cutting off your nose to spite your face.
The majority of the ROE’s leadership are continuing their work WITHOUT pay. How many other Illinoisan’s are willing to do that today?
Comment by Former Teacher Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 9:00 am
I believe everyone understands the position the state is in financially. We have made significant progress with the communications and assistance the ROE provides in Dupage County. I just cannot imagine Springfield can handle all the questions and needs of the teachers/districts from all over the state if the ROE’s are closed. This is not possible. Has there been discussions of consolidating some of the ROE offices south of I80. Just closing offices without a plan on how to assist teachers/school districts is a poor idea. Was there any thought of consolidating a couple of county offices and Springfield picking up some of their work to see if this could be done on a smaller scale and yet save some money??? JC
Comment by jc from DuPage Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 9:41 am
The Regional Office is perhaps the ONLY level of elected office that provides meaningful service to the taxpayers of the State. There are a hundred layers of government that should be eliminated BEFORE this office… Keep it intact!
Comment by Eye for One Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 10:01 am
How independent does the ” Gov ” think a ” watchdog ” can be when the ” watchdog ” is paid by the folks they are watching? No wonder we are 11 billion in debt.
Comment by Wheelman Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 10:25 am
The Regional Office of Education are necessary for monitoring, supporting and meeting state requirements for school districts. They are vital. Even though Suburban Cook County lost the Regional Office of Education, the Intermediate Service Centers continue to take on the responsibilities that had been assigned to the ROE. The Illinois State Board could not perform the required duties without the ROE. The ROE’s have been a constant while there has been much shifting and cuts at the state level.
Comment by doing Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 10:43 am
The ROE when it existed in Cook County was very inefficient and probably a waste of a lot of money. However in Cook County since the ISC’s have assumed the responsibilities of the ROE and more efficiently than anyone could have ever imagined. The South Cook Intermediate Service Center has always been a great asset to the area and now after assuming the responsibilities of the ROE is absolutely and example of what a “bang for the buck” organization should look like. The State and ISBE can be should model this services model.
Comment by john Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 11:32 am
The ROEs provide essential services to educators throughout the State with one of the most important being that of certification. If the ROEs are eliminated who is going to perform this? It must also be paid for. If it is passed to local districts (very bad idea), then it will be an additional cost to already strapped districts. The State Board? They have seen their budgets continuously slashed and have been cutting personnel and programs, so how will they take on more?
We need to stop comparing our state to others (they are not the same) with misleading statistics and start doing what is right for kids. Having certified teachers in classes and quality professional development (provided by ROEs) is essential to improving the quality of education in our state.
Perhaps it is time for the Governor to take a cut in pay instead of cutting other essential services.
Comment by Anon Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 11:36 am
The ROE’s and asst. provide a vialble service to their comminities and the state. Keep them! They are elected ! The people voted for them! There is a funding source! It should be used.
Comment by littielady Monday, Sep 12, 11 @ 11:44 am