The Financial Facts of Life at
Oak Park’s Public Elementary Schools

(reprint with permission from the Legislative Action Committee.)

Over the past two years:

• Expenditures have been reduced by $3.6 million from Oak Park Elementary School District 97 schools. This year District 97 is reducing expenditures by 3.8%.
• 15.6 classroom teaching positions in K-5 and 14 teaching positions in middle schools have been eliminated. Average class sizes in K-5 school have increased from an average of 19 to an average of 22.
• Program cuts include 10 administrative and administrative support positions, technology reductions in programming such as world language and a reduction of approximately 30 teaching positions.

Here’s why:

• Illinois under funds public schools. The state provides only 18% of District 97’s budget - even though the state constitution requires the General Assembly to contribute 50% or more as the "primary source" of school funding. This forces local school districts to rely excessively on local property taxes.
• Property tax caps limit District 97 budget increases to about 2%. State law sharply limits the total amount local school districts may raise in taxes as the average increase permitted for school operating costs is 2%. The result is a tight cap on how much local districts can increase their budgets.
• District 97 costs rise about 3.5% annually. Two-thirds of the school budget pays for personnel costs including health and worker’s comp insurance - all of which are rising faster than overall inflation. Because these costs rise quicker than revenues, the district effectively loses about 1.5% in funds available for educational services each year.

Oak Park Schools Need Your Help in Springfield

With more than 80% of Illinois schools facing deficits, improving and reforming school funding is an urgent priority. Join the D97 Legislative Advocacy Committee Listserv and help take the case for stabilizing school funding directly to the Illinois General Assembly.

To sign up for the D97 Legislative Advocacy Listserv go to www.op97.org, [select] the "Legislative Advocacy Committee" link and follow the directions.

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E-mail majordomo@smtpgate1.op97.org with the message "subscribe d97-lac." Be sure to leave a space between "subscribe" and "d97". You’ll receive confirmation by e-mail. Stay informed on proposed school law changes and help shape legislation. You’ll be glad you did.