EDUCATION SUMMIT FUNDING POSITION PAPER

The position of the Oak Lawn Education Summit regarding the funding of public schools is that it is the responsibility of the General Assembly to support the Illinois Constitution, and to make a commitment that will provide a high quality education for all students.

In pursuit of this position, the Oak Lawn Education Summit believes that the State of Illinois should be the primary provider of funds to Illinois Schools.

It is also the Oak Lawn Education Summit's position that the meaning of primary responsibility for funding includes the following:

• Adequacy - Provide a foundation level of financial support for each child and all public schools

• Equity - Distribute financial resources on an equitable basis for all schools throughout Illinois

• Equality - Design the funding formula in a way that enables all children in Illinois an equal opportunity to receive an appropriate and challenging public education

• Urgency - Emphasize that funding is needed immediately

• Property Tax Relief - Remove a substantial amount of the cost for funding public schools from the property taxes and replace the dedicated funds removed from the property tax resource by another source dedicated by statute to public schools

EQUITABLE AND ADEQUATE SCHOOL FUNDING

"TALKING POINTS"

• Property owners in Illinois are tired of funding schools through property taxes.

• The lottery is not an equitable or reliable source of revenue for funding schools in this state.

• Schools in this community deserve "their fair share".

• The current legislators did give more funds to schools this year, BUT, tied our hand when it came to spending the extra money.  THIS IS NOT SMART!

• We need a long-term solution to this crisis now.  Not after another study is done!

• All State Mandates must be fully funded by the State.  No exceptions!

• Special Education Mandates must be fully funded by the State and Federal government.

• Tax caps do not work for the children.

• The children should not be discriminated against because of their address.  This can be done with a change in the School Funding Formula.

• We, as voters, must stay united for the children in our home, community  and state.  This is not a "their problem".  This is an "our problem".  Work to become a part of the solution.  Become educated on the right legislator for "our" children's future.

• We are spending more per prisoner than per pupil.  Something is wrong.

• We are not only being hit with our State's inadequate funding, but with our Federal governments' inadequate funding.  This is at the cost of the children.

• You don't have to come to the Forum educated on school funding.  It is the goal of the Forum to educate you on school funding.  This will be done by the legislators answering questions from the audience.  Not everyone will have a chance to ask questions, but, everyone can listen.

• Good schools are a magnet drawing people who value education to their community.