Regional Superintendents Fight Proposed Budget Cuts

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Regional school superintendents who would lose all their funding under the governor's proposed budget are stepping up their campaign to fight the cuts.

President of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools Gil Morrison calls such a move "a big mistake."

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Alex Degman reports

He took part in a press conference in Springfield Thursday to promote their opposition.

Gov. Pat Quinn predicts eliminating the 44 offices of education across Illinois would save the cash-strapped state $14 million.

But Morrison says the offices bring in about $135 million in grants each year.

He says they also inspect buildings, enforce mandates, track truancy, train bus drivers and provide GEDs and alternative schools.

Morrison says local voters, who elect regional superintendents and pay for some of the offices' costs, should decide if they stay.

Since Chicago doesn't have any regional offices, Morrison says many people don't understand the role they play.