Number Of Illinois School Districts In Financial Distress Doubles
From the Chicago Tribune
A disturbing number of Illinois school districts are in poor to dire financial shape, with 121 getting low or dismal ratings in the state’s annual financial report card for schools.
That’s more than double the number of districts in the two lowest categories just two years ago, the result of districts struggling with less state aid, higher costs and a weakened economy.
The analysis of school finances also examined operating budgets for the current school year, estimating that 62 percent of districts are now deficit-spending, including affluent schools in Winnetka, Wilmette and Kenilworth. In addition, the data indicates that districts are borrowing more money to stave off deficits, in the process burdening taxpayers with more debt.
“This is a highly dangerous practice,” said Gery Chico, chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education.
State School Supt. Chris Koch said the financial struggles are having an impact on everything from class sizes to the elimination of art and music and a reduction in high school course offerings.
Particularly troubling is that dozens of districts with the two lowest financial ratings encompass almost a third of the state’s school population, officials said Wednesday. Those districts include the massive Chicago Public Schools system, which dropped one level this year and received the second lowest of the four ratings used in the state’s analysis.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Chicago Tribune
A disturbing number of Illinois school districts are in poor to dire financial shape, with 121 getting low or dismal ratings in the state’s annual financial report card for schools.
That’s more than double the number of districts in the two lowest categories just two years ago, the result of districts struggling with less state aid, higher costs and a weakened economy.
The analysis of school finances also examined operating budgets for the current school year, estimating that 62 percent of districts are now deficit-spending, including affluent schools in Winnetka, Wilmette and Kenilworth. In addition, the data indicates that districts are borrowing more money to stave off deficits, in the process burdening taxpayers with more debt.
“This is a highly dangerous practice,” said Gery Chico, chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education.
State School Supt. Chris Koch said the financial struggles are having an impact on everything from class sizes to the elimination of art and music and a reduction in high school course offerings.
Particularly troubling is that dozens of districts with the two lowest financial ratings encompass almost a third of the state’s school population, officials said Wednesday. Those districts include the massive Chicago Public Schools system, which dropped one level this year and received the second lowest of the four ratings used in the state’s analysis.
Read more in our daily News Update...