During the past few months I have had the opportunity to meet with state legislators, representatives of local governments, the business community, parents, teachers and school administrators to discuss school funding in our state. I listened carefully to the concerns, ideas, problems and solutions posed by each of these groups. Having had time to reflect on these deliberations, I would like to share with you this one superintendent's thoughts, dreams and hopes for the education of the children of Illinois. 

Admittedly, the matter of school funding is a very complex topic at best. There exists strong differences of opinion on this issue from high school districts to elementary districts,--rich communities to poor communities-Chicago to downstate-north suburban to south suburban. The business community, while supportive, asks for relief. Parents are concerned about rising property taxes. Should the wealth of one community be shared with others? What does it cost to educate a child? There is a call for a deeper understanding that a collaborative and united effort is necessary from our region. Concerns for attracting and keeping qualified teachers are raised. Many problems are discussed and few solutions are proposed. 

It seems, as in the past, the debate rages on about school funding equity, its purpose and value. Can we build a better mouse trap? Can we create a better funding formula? Each discussion, each meeting, raises more questions. Each and every one is sincere in their desire to act in the best interest of those who they serve. 

As a newcomer to these discussions and with a full understanding that many individuals more qualified than myself have struggled with these issues, I feel obligated to share with you my thoughts about school funding. 

A past professor had once suggested to me that the elephant could be eaten one bite at a time. Perhaps, because of the complexity of the issues surrounding school funding, this is indeed the elephant that should be eaten one bite at a time. I sense we all know the problems and can articulate them well. Now more than ever we need to stand together in speaking for the children of Illinois. If not us-who? I would advocate a collaborative approach among all "stakeholders" to seek consensus and prioritize the "bites of this elephant" we want to take. This is not, in my opinion, an "us" against "them" approach; rather it is seeking an understanding that we all represent our children and the future of Illinois. 

What appears to be a very simple and reasonable question has been raised-what does it cost to educate a child? In an effort to answer this question, I share with you the following:

Steps to Providing a Quality Education for the Children of 

Orland School District 135 

• Define as a community what we value, what student achievement is, what constitutes academic excellence. Use this as a guide to how we allocate resources. 
• Evaluate what we do to see if it is adding value to the child in the seat. If not, re- allocate these resources. 
• Develop lasting and meaningful partnerships with parents, citizens, the business community, senior citizens. 
• Encourage partnerships with local government to help defray costs from duplicated services. 
• Allow for greater flexibility in how local school districts can spend fund balances. 
• Encourage the state to help in achieving full funding from the federal government for the Individuals with Disabilities Act. 
• Allow for greater flexibility and local control over categorical grants. 
• Re-adjust poverty grants so they are graduated and all districts can take advantage of them. 
• Encourage our state legislators to seek alternate sources of funding. This is easier said than done-a matter, perhaps, of what we value as a state. 
• Compute the state aid formula for elementary districts on daily average enrollment, not daily average attendance. 
• Realize that the cost of doing business is different from region to region-build this factor into the formula. 
• Raise the foundation level to $8,000 for elementary children of our state.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my thoughts. I fully realize that changes in the funding formula will, in all likelihood, be incremental and accomplished over a period of time. I would advocate a collaborative plan that would help us -"'eat this elephant one bite at a time."

Thank you for all you do on behalf of the citizens of Illinois. I will keep you in my thoughts as you deliberate and struggle with these important issues.