Good Afternoon! My name is Suzanne Kalinowski and I am the principal of St. Patrick Catholic School, a small school on the east side of Springfield. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address some concerns I have about the fair allocation of State Funds to Illinois Schools. 

St. Patrick School is a co-ed school with an enrollment of around 100 African-American students. 98% of our students receive free or reduced lunch. State funding for St. Pat's is VITAL to its existence. I feel that is very important for us to remember that poverty impacts every community in Illinois. 

Raising tuition would eventually close our doors. At St. Patrick's we have a set tuition, however, with the poverty level as it is, our tuition is on a sliding scale. The greater community of Springfield assists us by contributing to our "Educate a Child" program. This program provides for tuition assistance. 

Currently, we receive funding from the Illinois Textbook Loan Program to aid us with the purchase of textbooks. This allows us, however, to serve only a fraction of our students annually Selected grades are allocated each year to receive textbook money. For instance, last year students in grades 5-8 received an average of $32/per student. This year we will receive nothing because allocation will be for high school students. 

I applaud the Federal Government for sponsoring the Title I program that assists students at risk of academic failure. Title IV is for drug free school money for school counselors and our allocation for that last year was $568.00. Title VI aids us for the purchase of computers and instructional material and our allocation is $6.00 per child. These programs have been helpful, but much more needs to be done to bring equality to all schools. 

The fair allocation would encourage quality education for all children. I am suggesting that the State Government use the Free/Reduced Lunch Formula in determining the poverty level of families. This formula offers a fair assessment of poverty and insures all students an opportunity for success. EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE!