Manley, Cappel, Avelar, Benton, Meet with Area Superintendents

JOLIET, Ill. – In preparation of the upcoming session, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, along with state Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood, state Rep. Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, and state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, met with the school superintendents from Minooka, Plainfield, Lockport, Joliet, Richland and Oswego.

“The needs of our local schools are in flux, as pressures grow from the federal government,” said Rep. Manley. “It is important as state legislators, to get a firm understanding of the needs of our school-aged children so that we may better help them in Springfield.”

The superintendents in attendance included Dr. Keith Wood, Valley View School District 365; Dr. Karla Guseman, Joliet Township High School District 204; Dr. Glenn Wood, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202; Dr. Rob Schiffbauer, Minooka Community High School District 111; Rachel Kinder, Ed.S., Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201; Dr. Andalib Khelghati, Oswego Community Unit School District 308; and Dr. Robert McBride, Jr., Lockport Township School District 205.

Discussions revolved around the state budget, and unfunded mandates, particularly concerning federal funding cuts, and how school districts may prepare and respond to uncertain funding. Other topics included early childhood education, including how the K-12 demographic is changing, particularly post-Covid, which has changed the entire educational system.

“Reaching children at their earliest stages of education is key to providing long term, quality education,” Manley said. “Thank you to all the area superintendents who take time to meet with us legislators. Thanks, also, to Sen. Cappel for hosting such an important discussion.”