LM May.2021_FINAL

Series Part XVI

MakingaDifference: WhytheFormula NeedsToBeFunded

Genoa-Kingston CUSD #424

ThreeMoreSchoolDistrictsShare HowEBFBenefitsTheirStudents

La Salle-Peru Twp HSD #120

By Jason Nevel IASA Director of Social Media and Publications

In August 2018, IASA launched the Making a Difference series to better understand how Evidence-Based Funding is helping Illinois students. Between August 2018 and March 2020, we profiled 80 school districts. One thing was abundantly clear from our conversations with superintendents—the dollars have made an impact. STEM programs were created, social workers and counselors hired, class sizes reduced, electives restored, learning opportunities were expanded and student safety improved, all as a result of the state’s investment into public education. For the second straight year, Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed a spending plan that does not include any additional state dollars into the Evidence-Based Funding Formula. We know not investing in EBF will push districts further away from their adequacy targets and make it harder for schools to provide additional academic and social-emotional support for students. This month, we continue our Making a Difference series with three more stories on how the dollars are improving student outcomes. Telling these stories is important as IASA continues to advocate for the EBF formula to be properly funded over time. You can also find an interactive map on our website with the stories of all 88 schools we have profiled so far.

Bethalto CUSD #8

Bethalto CUSD #8

the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Six years ago, proration in General State Aid crippled Bethalto CUSD #8 to the point where the district faced a $2.3 million budget deficit and had only 26 days of cash on hand when General State Aid stopped flowing the following year. “It was probably one of the most challenging times of my

Enrollment: 2,414 FY 18: $855,665 FY 20: $798,378 Type: preK–12 FY 19: $679,179 FY21: Flat Funding How EBF has made a difference Evidence-Based Funding offered a lifeline to Bethalto CUSD #8 and put the district in a much stronger position to meet

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LM MAY 2021