http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/2126210,CST-NWS-skuls28.article 'Devastating' layoffs loom in school districts statewide
FUNDING CRISIS | Thousands of teachers, other staffers hit; total could top 20,000
March 27, 2010
BY MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA Staff Reporter mihejirika@suntimes.com
There's a tidal wave coming.
And it's about to affect your kids.
In recent weeks, state education funding woes have triggered a tsunami of pink slips to thousands upon thousands of teachers and support staff in school districts statewide, with about 9,800 announced layoffs of teachers so far.
Another 1,600 retiring teachers won't be replaced.
Total planned layoffs stand at more than 17,000 school personnel. And that's with just 75 percent of districts responding to a survey sent by a coalition of education groups. When all is said and done, school layoffs statewide could top 20,000, the coalition warns.
"What looms this school year is devastating for all of Illinois. It's going to significantly diminish the quality of education throughout the state," said Charlie McBarron, spokesman for the Illinois Education Association."And in an economic crisis, the worst thing you can do is put thousands and thousands of people into unemployment. The General Assembly has to do something significant. They've got to do it now."
Facing a void of aid from a cash-strapped state government woefully behind on paying its 2009-2010 bills -- and eyeing further budget cuts in 2010-2011 -- districts such as the Chicago Public Schools are drastically plugging holes that may only get bigger. By law, the districts must inform staff of proposed layoffs for next year in the spring.
CPS is owed the most money from the state: $255 million. CPS is targeting 3,200 teachers and 880 others for layoffs. Northwest suburban Elgin, the second-largest district -- owed $12 million -- is proposing 1,079 layoffs.
And as federal stimulus dollars dry up, only an infusion of state cash -- such as through a state income tax increase urged by education groups and Gov. Quinn -- would prevent the cuts.
It's not just traditionally poor districts jettisoning staff and programs. North suburban Park Ridge's Maine Township High School District 207, for example, is axing 75 teachers; Evanston-Skokie School District 65 plans to lay off 29 teachers. Naperville's Indian Prairie School District 204 has targeted 145 staff.
"We keep looking at our immediate crisis, and it is a crisis, but there is a bigger issue with our school funding formula," said Herman Brewer, acting president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, which has long condemned the inequities of a school finance system based on property taxes.
"These folks who have known nothing but prosperity are now in shock because all of a sudden the crisis they have generally associated with poor communities -- with the city of Chicago -- has hit them," Brewer said. "Our funding formula has created disparities so acute, people are starting to see it now."
more...
HOW MUCH OWED TO DISTRICTS
School districts that are owed the most money by the state
District Million
1. Chicago Public Schools District 299 $255
2. Elgin School District Unit 46 $12.2
3. Thornton Twp. High Schools District 205 $9.6
4. Rockford Public School District 205 $9.6
5. Bloom Township High School District 206 $8.9
6. Worth School District 127 $8.7
7. Maine Township High School District 207 $7.9
8. Plainfield Consolidated School District 202 $7.6
9. Wheeling Township High School District 214 $7.5
10. Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 $6.8
SOURCE: Illinois State Comptroller
Dave McKinney
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