Downstate schools are newest group to file a lawsuit against the state. 17 school districts say Governor Bruce Rauner and his administration are failing to provide the money required to deliver the high standards set by the state.
The lawsuit, naming both Rauner and the Illinois State Board of Education, say the current system of funding is unsustainable and state’s reliance on property taxes is outdated and inadequate. Art Ryan, Superintendent of Cahokia Schools, says the state needs to start paying its bills in full.
But Dan Cox, superintendent of the Staunton School District, stress they don’t want the standards lowered, they just want the state to pay for what they are asking schools to accomplish.
Ryan notes his district received last school year’s final payment in January of this year. And he’s expecting to see even less money in the future.
The end goal of the lawsuit is for the state to change the model on how funding gets to schools. And then develop a formula that can put a price on learning standards the state is asking schools to achieve.
