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Illinois School Board Journal
July/August 2003

Challenge to boards: Support funding change

by Gina Schlosser

Gina Schlosser is an eight-year member of Henry-Senachwine Community Unit School District 5 school board and has served as board president for six years.

In Henry-Senachwine Unit District 5, we have talked many times about the need to change how our schools are funded.

At every levy hearing, we have heard from the taxpayers that they think of us as "Public Enemy #1." Yes, we explained that as the assessed value of their homes and properties went up that it increased the amount of taxes paid to our school districts. We also told them that the rules on how schools are funded are made in Springfield and to contact their senators and representatives.

We finally took our own advice. Even as school board members, we still are required to pay our own property tax.

We made appointments with five of our district legislators: Senator Dale Risinger; Senator Dan Rutherford; Senator Patrick Welch; Representative David Leitch; and Representative Frank Mautino. Our team included our superintendent, Tom Urban; two board members, Mark Read and myself; and two representatives from our Regional Office of Education, Jay McCracken and Mark Cross.

We took small gifts to each of the legislators -- a pocket calculator and an insulated lunch bag -- with our school's name and logo on them. We also took samples of our students' work for them to read.

In addition, we included a written comparison of how our district is funded and what percentage is given by the state, federal and local taxpayers. We also pointed out that the state aid received in our district is not $4,560 per pupil, but actually $1,433, and that our district spends more than $7,300 per pupil.

Lastly, we included a copy of a board resolution saying we support the Education Funding Advisory Board's funding and educational recommendation.

Our school district is not in financial trouble yet, but most of the districts that had been to see the legislators are. We explained how quickly our financial status could change with the decisions they make in Springfield. We stressed how unfair it is to put the majority of the burden on property taxpayers (who pay 70 percent of our school's budget), that reform is badly needed and that the state needs to step up the funding to all schools. We also stressed to them not to make any un-funded, state-mandated laws that will cost school districts more money.

Several of the legislators said they really would like to hear from school boards directly and that it made more of an impact on them than just hearing from the lobbyist.

Our school district is going to stay pro-active in the fight to change school funding for the success of our students, community and for property taxpayers. We challenge all school boards throughout Illinois to make appointments with your district's representatives and senators to present your concerns.

With the announcement that our Regional Offices of Education may close, we can see how quickly changes can happen. Legislators need to hear from individual districts more than ever for the future of funding education equitably.

As elected board members, you represent many individual voters from these legislative districts, and they do feel the impact of your presence when you take the time to visit them with your concerns.

Let's not just talk about reform and funding. Let's help them understand what it means to our school systems. Let Springfield hear all of our voices.