Good afternoon,
Legislators and the Governor failed to reach agreement on a state budget by the end of May, as such, the budget impasse continues in Illinois. You may soon hear speculation about whether schools will open in the fall. The lack of a state appropriation for K-12 education in Fiscal Year 2017 will result in dire consequences for many districts. For PORTA, state funding comprises about one-third of revenue for the Education Fund. It represents about Fifty Percent of revenue for the Transportation Fund. The district has fund reserves that will allow for the opening of school. These reserves should sustain the district through the first semester, but will deplete all reserves prior to April of 2017. The depletion of our reserves in such a short time span has a devastating effect on the District’s financial plan and ability to maintain current programs and class sizes throughout the district. If our elected officials continue in this dysfunctional manner throughout the summer months the PORTA Board of Education will ultimately be forced to ask local tax payers for an education fund increase, so that our district will have the necessary funds to remain open for the upcoming and future school years.
The top priority for our elected officials must be to enact a budget that includes adequate funds for public schools before the new school year begins. This will ensure that schools across the state open on time and are adequately funded for the full year. An evidence-based funding model is the soundest and fairest long-term answer to having an adequate and equitable school funding model in Illinois. It is based on research-based practices.
Toxic climates often lead one to avoid getting involved. Yet, as taxpayers and as concerned citizens, now is the time for engagement. Contact your elected officials to let them know your feelings about the current “state of our state.” Your Board of Education and I will continue to monitor this situation. We will develop contingency plans to respond to the prospect of an ongoing budget impasse into the fall. We are committed to opening schools on time and to educating our children without interruption.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools.
Sincerely,
Matthew W. Brue
Superintendent
Legislators and the Governor failed to reach agreement on a state budget by the end of May, as such, the budget impasse continues in Illinois. You may soon hear speculation about whether schools will open in the fall. The lack of a state appropriation for K-12 education in Fiscal Year 2017 will result in dire consequences for many districts. For PORTA, state funding comprises about one-third of revenue for the Education Fund. It represents about Fifty Percent of revenue for the Transportation Fund. The district has fund reserves that will allow for the opening of school. These reserves should sustain the district through the first semester, but will deplete all reserves prior to April of 2017. The depletion of our reserves in such a short time span has a devastating effect on the District’s financial plan and ability to maintain current programs and class sizes throughout the district. If our elected officials continue in this dysfunctional manner throughout the summer months the PORTA Board of Education will ultimately be forced to ask local tax payers for an education fund increase, so that our district will have the necessary funds to remain open for the upcoming and future school years.
The top priority for our elected officials must be to enact a budget that includes adequate funds for public schools before the new school year begins. This will ensure that schools across the state open on time and are adequately funded for the full year. An evidence-based funding model is the soundest and fairest long-term answer to having an adequate and equitable school funding model in Illinois. It is based on research-based practices.
Toxic climates often lead one to avoid getting involved. Yet, as taxpayers and as concerned citizens, now is the time for engagement. Contact your elected officials to let them know your feelings about the current “state of our state.” Your Board of Education and I will continue to monitor this situation. We will develop contingency plans to respond to the prospect of an ongoing budget impasse into the fall. We are committed to opening schools on time and to educating our children without interruption.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools.
Sincerely,
Matthew W. Brue
Superintendent