The continuing budget impasse has left schools facing the possibility of starting the next school year without any state funds. Governor Bruce Rauner is pushing a plan that would give every district at least the same amount it received last year, but some districts superintendents don't like that idea.
Ten of those superintendents gathered in front of the capitol today to urge lawmakers to adopt a more equitable way of sending money to schools. Rauner acknowledges the formula needs an overhaul, and calls his offer a "bridge" to get schools through the upcoming year. Mike Gauch, superintendent of schools in Harrisburg, said that's not good enough.
"In my opinion there’s a hole in that bridge. It's not going to work. It leads to nowhere. Respectfully, that’s my opinion. And I would say the children of poverty would agree."
The state senate has approved at least two school funding plans focused on equity, but none of those have been heard in the House.
