Macomb, IL – While Illinois' funding formula for schools is often criticized, an education expert says another issue related to finances also needs to be addressed. That issue is organizational structure. WIU Educational Leadership Program Chairman Bob Hall says there are too many school districts in Illinois. He says if there were fewer districts, there would be fewer administrators. That would free up more money for the classroom. Hall thinks the recent convergence in Hancock County was a move in the wrong direction - going from three districts to four. Hall was one of the speakers on an education funding panel discussion held in Macomb on Wednesday evening. The event was hosted by the League of Women Voters. Regional School Superintendent Gary Eddington and Macomb Board of Education member Martha Klems were also on the panel. Eddington said the state is not funding education at the level that the constitution says it should. He said local taxpayers continue to shoulder the financial burden for schools. Klems said her district is being impacted by property tax caps, the enterprise zone, and the tax increment finance district. Klems also criticized unfunded mandates from the state and cautioned that the Macomb district cannot continue dipping into its reserves. The district will spend about one-fifth of its $5 million reserve this year in order to maintain a balanced budget.
Education Funding Remains A Concern
