Bernard J. Jumbeck, Superintendent of Chicago Ridge Public School District.

A critical element in the determination of a foundation level for providing adequate funding for public school students are the needs of non-English speaking students. Under our current funding scheme, no mechanism exists that allows for factoring in the unique needs non-English speaking populations present to school districts. Although times have changed, the historic pattern of immigration reminiscent of the early part of the last century persists today.  When immigrants settle in a particular geographic area they tend to do so in enclaves.

In our school district, we have children whose primary language may be one of 17 different languages. A significant factor that lends itself to our community appealing to non-English speaking populations is the presence of a great deal of housing zoned for multi-family occupancy. Coupled with this scenario is the fact that traditionally immigrant families have chosen to not participate in the census. Because the state poverty grant is based upon census data, a significant portion of our student population with special needs remains uncounted. A school district's poverty count is an elusive number due to several factors. 1.) It is a number that is based upon old data. 2.) Low income citizens tend to have higher rates of mobility. 3.) Low income populations are less likely to participate in the census.

Another reality that south suburban school districts with a proliferation of apartment units must face is the impact that Section 8 Housing Vouchers have upon the schools. With limited job growth, relatively low equalized assessed valuations when compared to the rest of the metropolitan region, and largely residential communities, our schools and local governments are faced with providing a whole host of additional services in order to meet the needs of low income families. Because our system of school funding continues to be based upon local property wealth, other areas of the region enjoy the fruits of an expanding economy with new manufacturing and commercial growth, without having to fund the services that low income wage earners and their families sometimes need because the housing in which many of them live is largely based in the southern suburbs.