Gov. BruceRaunervisited Auburn High School this morning.Raunertold students the main reason he was in their gymnasium was to thank their teachers for doing the most important job in the America. But he also promoted his plan to increase school funding statewide by about $50 million.
That plan would end up costing some needy districts millions of dollars, while adding funds to wealthier areas, because the money would be funneled through a formula widely described as the most inequitable in the nation.
Democrats have pointed out that Rauner's plan would increase funding for wealthy districts like New Trier while giving less for some needy districts like East St. Louis and Cairo. Rauner agreed the current allocation system is inequitable, but said it’s more important to get funds out before August.
“We shouldn’t hold up schools opening, or more money in total, while this is being argued. If we can get it done in May," he said, "I’m encouraging even the funding formula to be negotiated in May.”
Rauner said he couldn’t control how the money is spent.
“We have to separate the amount of money we give to schools vs how it’s spread among the schools. They’re related, but they’re separate issues," Rauner said. "The one thing I can control and I’ve advocated is more total money.”
Rauner said his staff is studying how other states fund schools, to see what works best.He said there’s "vehement disagreement," even among Democrats, about how the funds should be allocated.
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