TARGET: Evaluate policies, procedures and practices used to influence and improve funding decisions in the General Assembly and U. S. Congress. (fully-funded mandated programs, state foundation level for elementary districts, alternatives to property tax as a funding source, and an accurate 2000 census count)
ACCOMPLISHED: IN PROGRESS: FOCUS:
MANDATED PROGRAMS
  • Assured full funding for transportation in 1999-2000 and very likely in 2000-2001.
  • Assured full funding for special education in 1999-2000 and very likely in 2000-2001.
MANDATED PROGRAMS
  • Pursuing full funding for transportation in 2000-2001.
  • Pursuing full funding for special education in 2000-2001.
MANDATED PROGRAMS
  • Will work to get legislators to provide full funding for state mandates in 2001-2002.
 
STATE FOUNDATION LEVEL
  • Assured increase in foundation level as promised in legislation at $4425 per student for 2000-2001
              ELEMENTARY DISTRICT FUNDING
  • Attended and joined the Elementary District Organization (EDO) to lend support to elementary district funding efforts.
              FEDERAL PROGRAMS
  • Ensured full funding for U S Department of Education Technology Challenge Grant in the amount of $631,118.
  • Seized opportunities for additional grants:
Goals 2000- $194,734 2000 CENSUS
  • Actively participated in the Pekin Area Census 2000 committee.
  • Enlisted fiscal and human resource support of Education Association of Pekin for Census 2000 activities.
  • Developed school wide activities to enhance the participation level of Census 2000.
  • Developed communication strategies and activities to enhance the Census 2000 participation.
  • Engaged high percentage of participation in completing Census 2000 form.
PROPERTY TAX ALTERNATIVES
  • Continued abatement practice to keep local property taxes within board promise. Abated $878,587 in property tax.
  STATE FOUNDATION LEV EL
  • Joining the Elementary District Organization to provide support and lobbying assistance to impact the foundation level in 2001-2002.
            ELEMENTARY DISTRICT FUNDING
  • Continuing efforts to keep equal funding with high school districts.
  • Working to defeat HB2944 and other attempts to lower elementary district funding in comparison to high school districts.
  • Working with Large Unit District Association (LUDA) to enhance funding opportunities.
  FEDERAL PROGRAMS
  • Continuing to work to sustain current funding levels for Title programs.(Title I same in 2000 as 1999 but Title II, IV and VI were slightly down over prior years.)
      2000 CENSUS
  • Continuing to monitor Census results.
                            PROPERTY TAX ALTERNATIVES
  • Exploring alternatives with EDO, LUDA and IEA/NEA to seek best educational funding opportunities for 2000-2001 legislative session.
    STATE FOUNDATION LEVEL
  • Will work with IEA/NEA and ALLIANCE and Elementary District Organization (EDO) to enhance foundation level beyond 2000-2001 as there is no provision in the current law to provide annual increases.
  • Will work through organizations to address inequities of per pupil expenditures among Illinois school districts.
ELEMENTARY DISTRICT FUNDING
  • Will work with LUDA and EDO to maintain equity for elementary districts in state funding for education in the 2001 legislative session.
            FEDERAL PROGRAMS
  • Will continue efforts to retain federal grant dollars in Title programs.
  • Will continue efforts to seek competitive grants to enhance district goal attainment.
      2000 CENSUS
  • Will use Census results for future planning.
                            PROPERTY TAX ALTERNATIVES
  • Will work with other organizations to seek best educational funding opportunities for the 2000-2001 legislative