BENTON, IL – (Tim Hastings, Benton Gazette. Please click on the link above for the full story. Here is an excerpt below)
– Benton Grade School District 47 Superintendent Stephen Smith told the board of education Tuesday, July 25, the district would have to dip into its cash reserves if the legislature is unable to pass a school funding plan.
“We might have 60 to 90 days cash on hand to operate without state payment,” Smith said. “After that, we’d have to establish lines of credit in order to borrow operating funds. Half of the district’s funds come from the state. Operating very long without that isn’t viable.
State Representative Dave Severin, whom the board recognized Tuesday for serving 30 years as a member of the board, said he favors Illinois Senate Bill 1 which would give District 47 approximately $527,000 in new funds next year. However, Severin said he opposes an amendment to the bill which would fund teachers’ pensions in Chicago. “SB 1 is a great bill except for the amendment,” Severin said. The representative said he would also like the state to pay the $307,000 it owes the district for the current year.
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