GOAL #3: Influence and improve funding decisions in the General Assembly and U.S. Congress (e.g. fully-funded mandated programs, state foundation, alternatives to property tax as a funding source, and elementary school funding).

WHAT?

What actions need to be taken to complete the task?

RESULTS?

What data or documents will indicate closure or success for each action?

TIMEFRAME?

When will each action be conducted?

WHO?

Who needs to be involved with each action?

RESOURCES?

What tools/strategies need to be collected, developed or organized to complete the task?

Participate in the Elementary District Organization lobbying efforts at the state level:

• Change the calculation rate for each of the elementary school district entities to : $2.10 for elementary districts from $2.30.
• Increase special education personnel reimbursement for districts from $8,000 per certified special education employee with the understanding that full funding or 100% reimbursement will occur.
• Increase special education reimbursement for special education paraprofessionals from $2,500 per special education paraprofessional to $4,000 per special education paraprofessional with the understanding that full funding or 100% reimbursement will occur.
• Increase the foundation level by a minimal level that is equal to 5% or $250 per year, whichever would be greater.
• Provide full funding for transportation costs with the understanding that if this is not feasible, school districts would have the ability to assess local resources in the same capacity as they do IMRF or Tort expenses.
• Re-institute both the school maintenance and school professional grants.
• Support passage of Senate Bill 22, which extends life safety from tax caps.
• Support EFAB survey for equitable funding.
• Work with other educational groups on major educational issues.
• Carefully monitor the census to ensure poverty count percentages are accurate.
• Increase EDO membership.

Bills that are introduced.

ISBE budget proposals.

Governor budget proposals.

Bills that are approved by either the House or Senate.

Bills that are approved by legislation and signed into law by the governor.

Minutes of EDO meetings.

Lobbyist report regarding EDO efforts.

2000 census report

Increased EDO membership of elementary districts in Tazewell County.

EDO meetings on going throughout the year.

Legislative action to occur during spring session.

Governor’s budget proposal released in January or February.

State Superintendent’s budget requests released in December or January.

Lobbying reports on going during spring legislation.

Contact non-EDO member districts by November.

Superintendent

Business Manager

DILT Committee

Finance Committee

EDO

Lobbyist

EDO recommendations.

ISBE budget proposals.

Governor’s budget proposals.

ISBE/EFAB committee recommendations.

Investigate IEA/NEA lobbying efforts at both the state and federal levels and support those efforts that benefit District 108.

Report from EAP regarding IEA efforts.

Bills that are introduced.

ISBE budget proposals.

Governor budget proposals.

Bills that are approved by legislation and signed into law by the governor.

Reviewed by DILT/ Finance Committees in March.

Legislative action to occur during spring session.

Governor’s budget proposal released in January or February.

State Superintendent’s budget requests released in Spring.

Business Manager

DILT Committee

Finance Committee

IEA/NEA Personnel

IEA/NEA lobbyist efforts.

ISBE recommendations.

State Superintendent’s Budget proposal.

Governor’s budget proposal.

Bills that are introduced.

Investigate federal education budget proposals and support those efforts which benefit District 108.

Bills that are introduced.

President Bush’s budget proposals "No Child Left Behind".

Bills that are approved by either the House or the Senate.

Bills that are approved by legislation and signed into law by the president.

On going throughout the year.

Business Manager

DILT Committee

Finance Committee

President Budget proposal for education "No Child Left Behind".

Bills that are introduced.

Meet with state and federal legislators to communicate needs and support bills or legislation that meet district needs.

Minutes of meetings.

Communications to legislators.

Spring legislative session.

Business Manager

DILT Committee

Finance Committee

EDO

Lobbyist

EAP Leadership

IEA

Set meeting date with state.

Set meetings with national lobbyists.

Keep Board of Education, Association leadership, and community aware of funding issues

Communications to BOE, EAP, and community.

BOE information packets

District website

Building newsletter

On going throughout the year.

Business Manager

DILT Committee

Finance Committee

DILT Committee research and recommendations

Finance Committee research and recommendations

State/Federal funding proposals, recommendations and accomplishments