Scherer Supports Equitable Education Funding, Additional Money for Local Schools

DECATUR, Ill. – In an effort to fix Illinois’ outdated school funding formula, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, recently voted in support of legislation that changes the current method of education funding and brings more money to local schools in Central Illinois.

“I have been fighting to correct the injustices in our state’s school funding formula since 1978, when I first started teaching in Decatur Public Schools,” Scherer said. “Students in our community deserve to have the same opportunity to receive as high a quality education as those attending wealthier schools in other parts of the state, which starts with changing the way schools are funded.”

Scherer voted to pass Senate Bill 1, which makes data driven changes to the state’s school funding formula. The new formula takes into account various factors including teacher to pupil ratios and technology costs, as well as the number of low-income students. Additionally, the legislation factors in the ability for local taxpayers to contribute to school districts. This means that wealthier school districts will not receive as much financial assistance and state money instead will go to districts with greater need. The measure includes a “hold harmless” provision so that no school districts receive less money than what they received during the 2016-2017 school year.

“Students, parents, and teachers deserve nothing less than for their needs to be considered in the funding formula,” said Scherer. “The plan I supported accomplishes this by providing more than $3 million in new funding for schools in our district to help children right here in our community reach their full potential.”

For more information, please contact Scherer’s constituent service office at 217-877-9636 or by email at StateRepSue@gmail.com. Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.