Illinois’ top educator, Carmen Ayala, wants $475 million more next school year to hire truancy officers, cover additional transportation and early childhood costs, and put more money in the state’s school funding formula.
The state school board on Wednesday approved her recommendation, which would bring the total Illinois education budget to $9.7 billion. The request now goes to the governor, before heading to the general assembly for the final approval.
Robert Wolfe, financial officer for the state board of education, told the state school board Wednesday that the proposal includes an increase of $350 million into the evidence funding formula. If passed, this would be the third year that the state puts in the agreed-upon minimum but nothing more, even as advocates and superintendents push for a greater contribution to plug gaps for districts serving low-income students.
