Further discussion on inequitable school funding

by Cheryl Chapman

On Oct. 6th, 2007, A+ Illinois, National Louis University, and the Golden Apple Foundation co-sponsored a forum on school funding.  The panel was moderated by Cornelia Grumman, Chicago Tribune Editorial Board.  Members included Chicago City Clerk Miguel Del Valle, Mr. Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the bi-partisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Illinois Representative Kathy Ryg, national school finance expert Dr. Allan Odden, St. Charles SD 303 Superintendent Dr. Donald Schlomann, and Wisconsin Senator Luther Olsen.

Several questions came out of the discussion. Forum attendees wanted to know why taxpayers in wealthy suburbs should spend far less of a percentage of their personal property taxes than taxpayers in less wealthy suburbs, yet their teachers earn more money and their students have smaller class sizes. They wondered why students in schools with average to above-average funding have special classes like art, music, and p.e. taught on a regular basis by a specialist, not a classroom teacher, while children in many schools throughout the state get no “specials” at all, or must chose only one.  Finally, they asked why many districts apply for a yearly waiver of the state’s requirement that children have a daily p.e. class?  Why do some districts not even offer recess?

What became clear during this forum was that Illinois school children deserve better.  In fact, they deserve funding reform of a nature that will really help them.  The answer to all the questions was the same.  Inequitable state funding!

One year later, nothing has changed:

Fact:  Illinois has the 5th largest economy of any state.
Fact:  Illinois total state AND local tax burden, as a percentage of personal income, ranks only 48th in the nation, and we have by far, the lowest tax burden in the Midwest.
Fact:  Illinois ranks only 42nd in spending among the states.

A major factor in the problem of funding inequity is that there is also inequity in the state and local tax burden as a percentage of income. For you math teachers out there, and everyone else as well, the inequity is presented here in detail:

If you count sales tax, excise tax, property tax, income tax, total this up and
subtract the federal offset, you will find that the lowest 20% of Illinois taxpayers (earning less than $16,000 per year on average) shoulder nearly 13% of the tax burden.  The second 20% (average income is $22,600) shoulders 11%, the middle 20% ($38,500) has a 10%, the fourth 20% (teachers?  Average salary here is $61,100) makes up 9.2% of the burden, the next 15% (people making over $101,400 per year) pay 7.7%, the next 4% (income over $200,600) pay 6.3%, and the top 1% only use up 4.4% of their income on taxes.  So, the poorest pay the highest percentage and the richest pay the least.

The above statistics explain why, in a state in which the decline in personal income is the second worst in the nation, where manufacturing jobs are down by almost 25%, where over 27% of the state population is either uninsured or on Medicaid, where the gap in hourly wages between Whites and Hispanics has grown by 23.9% since 1980 and the gap between Whites and African Americans has grown 162.3% since 1980, nobody wants to raise taxes!  And this is why our state legislature can’t get itself together to do what is necessary for our schools, in spite of the fact that we live in the 5th largest economy in the nation and that we rank only 42nd in spending among the states.  Our antiquated tax structure just doesn’t work for us anymore.

Here in Illinois, a group called EFAB decides what our “foundation level” for core educational funding should be.  This group did some research and somehow figured out how much money it would take for 2/3 of Illinois students to pass the state tests.  2/3?  Why not 100%?  Well, they funded the “foundation level” at 51% of the level they’d chosen, and guess what?  51% of Illinois students meet state standards.  Apparently, you get what you pay for. What is needed in Illinois is a major tax reform. 

If we did have equitable educational funding in our state, we could be assured that all Illinois students would have the chance to get a quality education and Illinois teachers’ pay scales and per pupil spending would be more equitable as well. In addition, industry would be attracted to Illinois and jobs would be plentiful because we would have enough educated citizens to fill their demanding positions.

In the face of these facts and these challenges, you as a teacher can set your own goals.  Become active in a group that is trying to do something about this!  See what your teachers’ union is doing.  Spread the word – tell your students’ parents and your fellow teachers.  Get excited!  Get involved.  Visit websites to see about current legislation and write to and visit your state senators and representatives.  You can write to the U.S. senators and reps as well.  I don’t know how many times I have written to Sen. Obama and Sen. Durbin telling them that the ESEA/NCLB act should not fail schools, they should fail entire states!!!  Like ours!!!  For not coming up with enough money to educate our kids!!!  If important legislation is coming up, share it in your weekly newsletter home, and encourage your friends to join you in writing to your senators.  Join groups like A+ Illinois, the League of Women Voters, Voices for Illinois Children, Better Funding for Better Schools, and pay attention to groups like the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.  Join with other Apples in working for reform. When tax reform questions come up, pay attention, and let people know what you think!  And if you are retired like I am, take a school day, and go knock on A+ Illinois’s door – they will be happy to have you!

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My hat goes off to Cheryl Chapman and her exceptionally well written piece about the quagmire of school funding in Illinois.  Nothing I could say could improve upon it. I only wish more teachers were as angry about this topic as Cheryl and I!  If you find that your blood is beginning to boil, take another look at Cheryl’s great list of suggestions of how to involve yourself in the problem. School funding inequity has been with us in Illinois for decades and it’s not going anywhere unless a lot more people start speaking out.