State Board: More Funds Needed For Education
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM) -- Illinois lawmakers are hearing pitches for more money for schools.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Dave Dahl reports, state Education Supt. Chris Koch says the Board of Education has been cutting and cutting and cutting.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Dave Dahl reports
Podcast
"Over the last two years, we have cut 34 important programs to save $246 million – programs like textbook loan, reading improvement, Summer Bridges, and homeless education," Koch said.
Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, says the state should be spending more – about $2,000 more per student.
"Until you get to that point, you'll get some districts that perform well, you'll get some districts that perform poorly, you'll get some districts that will be average – but you're not going to get anything you can count on," Martire said.
The committee chair promised the discussions would continue.
