Illinois schools push district consolidation to fix teacher shortage

By Dylan Sharkey

04/27/2022

School board members in rural Illinois said district consolidation will ease staff shortages made worse by the pandemic. A statewide look at district consolidation could cut administrative overhead and put $732 million more into classrooms.

TAGS: Illinois, school district consolidation, teacher shortage

Less Illinois school bureaucracy would help students achieve

By Dylan Sharkey

02/09/2022

Half of Illinois’ school districts serve one to two schools. Consolidating school districts, but leaving schools alone, would decrease administrative costs and yield more money for classrooms to boost student achievement.

TAGS: education bureaucracy, Illinois, school district consolidation

Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools

By Dylan Sharkey

01/17/2022

A bill to cut Illinois’ redundant school district bureaucracy could offer over $300 per student for classroom instruction. No schools would close as Illinois strived to cut administration costs that are double the U.S. average.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, school district consolidation

Property taxes turning American dreams into Illinois nightmares

By Austin Berg

03/05/2020

Visions of the community’s future no longer bring comfort. Instead, they inspire crippling fear.

TAGS: corruption, home values, homeownership, local government consolidation, Matteson, pensions, property taxes, school district consolidation

Illinois K-12 school districts losing students, gaining administrators

08/27/2019

Despite shrinking populations of students and teachers, Illinois school districts have continued to grow their administrative bodies.

TAGS: education, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, school district consolidation, school district efficiency

Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending

08/20/2019

More than 9,000 Illinois school district administrators earn more than $100,000 a year. Each of them will collect at least $3 million in pension benefits during retirement.

TAGS: education, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, Rita Mayfield, school district consolidation, school district efficiency

Nearly 40% of education spending consumed by pension costs

08/13/2019

Growing pension costs for retired educators are quickly crowding the classroom out of Illinois budgets.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, school district consolidation, school district efficiency

Illinois’ wealthiest bureaucrats want this bill dead

By Austin Berg

05/16/2019

There should be no compromise with those who are looking out for their own bottom line above the good of the state.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, school district consolidation, school district efficiency, taxes

More than 130 six-figure school district administrators oppose education efficiency bill

05/14/2019

An Illinois House bill that would allow more education funding dollars reach the classroom before getting trapped in administration has earned support from both parties – and the opposition of administrators.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, school district consolidation, school district efficiency

5 things you should know about putting students ahead of administration

By Mailee Smith

04/10/2019

The Illinois House of Representatives passed the Classrooms First Act by a unanimous vote March 28. If it becomes law, students, teachers and taxpayers will benefit.

TAGS: consolidation, education, local government consolidation, property taxes, school district consolidation, taxes