Vandalia Superintendent of Schools Rich Well has been involved in the process of bringing education funding reform to the table for several years. And, while he certainly acknowledges the current Education Funding Reform Bill, Senate Bill One, isn’t perfect—it would certainly be an improvement. Well says Senate Bill One would mean an additional $500,000 for the Vandalia School District.
Schools did not get their first state aid payment, which was due on Thursday, because there is currently no funding mechanism in place to pay them. The Illinois Senate is expected back in Springfield Sunday to deal with Governor Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill One. Meanwhile, Well also adds that Vandalia Schools are good until Christmas, even if they receive no additional funding. Some districts are concerned about running out of funds within the first 6 weeks if they do not get any additional funds.