By HOLLY WAGNER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Since 1992, Illinois has passed 105 education bills that have either come with inadequate money to fund them, or no money at all. Of 74 education bills passed in 2009 alone, 19 were unfunded or underfunded mandates.
Click here for a list of unfunded mandates to Illinois schools since 1992.
And although the state promises at least partial reimbursement for some programs -- such as meals, special education and transportation -- it has already fallen more than $3 million behind on those payments to Quincy schools. Next year holds no promise the situation will improve.
This leaves districts to find ways to pay for these mandates themselves and takes money away from their core mission -- to educate children.
"It's very hard to put a dollar amount" on what mandates cost the district, Quincy Superintendent Lonny Lemon said. "There's an investment of personnel and time."
For instance, he said, programs that require teacher t ...
By HOLLY WAGNER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Since 1992, Illinois has passed 105 education bills that have either come with inadequate money to fund them, or no money at all. Of 74 education bills passed in 2009 alone, 19 were unfunded or underfunded mandates.
Click here for a list of unfunded mandates to Illinois schools since 1992.
And although the state promises at least partial reimbursement for some programs -- such as meals, special education and transportation -- it has already fallen more than $3 million behind on those payments to Quincy schools. Next year holds no promise the situation will improve.
This leaves districts to find ways to pay for these mandates themselves and takes money away from their core mission - ...
