District 128 Officials Are Against School Consolidation

High School District 128 officials are gathering forces to protest Governor Quinn’s proposal to consolidate school districts throughout the state. Quinn’s proposal would eliminate almost 600 school districts without local voter approval.

Both Superintendent Prentiss Lea and School Board President Pat Groody said too many questions still remain with not enough time for proper discussion.

Quinn’s proposal would create one or two school districts in every county beginning as early as July 2012. The General Assembly could vote on the measure in ten weeks. Quinn says the proposal would save the state $100 million in salaries and operating costs.

“This could be a shell game,” said Lea, adding that he is concerned the state may eventually reduce the state school budget by that amount of money.

School districts would be reorganized by county, census information, area population or another undetermined way.

Lea and Groody are quick to point out that District 128 and its four feeder elementary school districts – Oak Grove 68, Libertyville 70, Rondout 72, and Hawthorne 73 – have a history of financial viability, a high quality curricula, excellent support programs and many extra-curricular opportunities for students.

It might be beneficial for smaller, downstate schools to consolidate, concedes Groody, but he believes there would be no benefit for many schools in Lake County.

“Why fix what’s not broken?” asked Groody. “To make these types of changes wouldn’t necessarily be the best thing for area students.”

Lea points out that different school districts have different tax rates, credit ratings and teacher salaries. Traditionally, when two school districts consolidate, teacher salaries go up to the higher range. It is unclear which bond ratings and tax rates would be used by a newly-formed consolidated school district. It is also unclear if school district boundary lines would change. Students may have to drive past one high school to attend another.

Schools may also be forced to construct new buildings or use trailers for school rooms. Money saved by eliminating superintendent salaries may be needed for assistant superintendents, building additions, transportation or higher teacher salaries, according to Lea.

The Illinois Association of School Administrators and the Illinois Association of School Boards have drafted a joint resolution against the idea of statewide consolidation, saying that a majority of voters must approve the consolidation and that the savings that has been talked about by politicians has not been demonstrated. The resolution also says that salaries, construction and transportation expenses may increase for some districts.

A work meeting for school administrators to discuss the implications of the proposal and what can be done about it will be held Wednesday night. School board members want to get the word out to taxpayers about the proposal.

“I’m concerned that locally, people won’t realize that is can happen,” said Groody.