The budget passed. We pushed and they finally delivered for our students.
May 28, 2017
Final supporters
We call on members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor to do the following:
- Immediately support an end to the state budget impasse.
- Fix the education funding formula and invest in students in schools, including higher education, throughout the state.
- Pay school districts what they are owed this year.
Meridian Schools has partnered with 360 other Illinois school districts, representing over 1,370,000 students across Illinois, to support a statewide initiative called, “Pass Illinois Budget”. This effort’s aim is to shed light on the hardships the current Illinois Budget Impasse has on local school districts and its effects on our students.
While public K-12 schools have benefitted from a partially-funded budget, without a full budget our schools, students, families and communities will suffer. For Meridian CUSD #15, state funding comprises nearly 43% of revenue for the Education Fund and about 67% percent of revenue for the Transportation Fund. During the most recent fiscal year (FY17), the Meridian School District has received all of its General State Aid payments. However, the school still hasn’t received a mandated categorical payment for fiscal year 2017. Mandated categorical payments equal approximately $650,000 of revenue per year to our school district. This equates to almost 9% of our total revenue for the operating funds.
The State of Illinois’ delinquency in paying these payments, along with reduced funding over the last several years, has put a stress on Meridian CUSD #15’s financial health. To be more specific, the Meridian School Board has recently begun the process of amending it 2016-2017 school year budget to reflect the missing mandated categorical payments. The budget adopted in the fall of 2016 had a positive balance of $76,000 in these operating funds. However, with the missed payments, the school board will be forced to amend that budget and now will carry a deficit of $266,000.
To date, the Meridian School District has been utilizing its’ reserve funds to maintain the programs it offers our students. However, those reserve funds are limited and we cannot continue to cut another 9-10% of expenditures without effecting the programs that we offer.
We urge state government leaders to end the budget impasse, fix the education funding formula and pay schools what they are owed.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 25, 2017
April 25, 2017
The emails to legislators are heading out today. We will keep the pressure on until the funding is secured.
Reached 100 supporters
April 25, 2017
89 Comments
Please put your political differences aside and pass a budget. By not doing so you are seriously damaging our state economy and our school systems. These kids are our future...please make and pass a budget for them.
Taking away governmental official's perks may be a way to shift funds to better balance the budget. Politions are not suffering from a lack of a state budget, our schools and students are.
The meridian school district in Macon/blue mound Illinois, where my two children ages 4 and 6 go to school is owed $412000 by the state. For my children's education sake this needs to be taken care of.
Not passing this budget is going to have a negative impact on public schools for years to come. As an educator, I realize the importance in compromising and working together to achieve a goal. It is time to set aside petty differences and start thinking about your constituents and the future of this state for once.
The Illinois State Constitution states “The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services.” By not having a budget, the state is not living up to its obligation.
I plead with you to pass a state budget this is beyond my sense of anger that our students/children are suffering because of the negligent of our state house. Get a budget that will satisfy school a d stop cutting school funding
Please pass a budget for this state.
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The budget passed. We pushed and they finally delivered for our students.
May 28, 2017
Final supporters
We call on members of the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor to do the following:
- Immediately support an end to the state budget impasse.
- Fix the education funding formula and invest in students in schools, including higher education, throughout the state.
- Pay school districts what they are owed this year.
Meridian Schools has partnered with 360 other Illinois school districts, representing over 1,370,000 students across Illinois, to support a statewide initiative called, “Pass Illinois Budget”. This effort’s aim is to shed light on the hardships the current Illinois Budget Impasse has on local school districts and its effects on our students.
While public K-12 schools have benefitted from a partially-funded budget, without a full budget our schools, students, families and communities will suffer. For Meridian CUSD #15, state funding comprises nearly 43% of revenue for the Education Fund and about 67% percent of revenue for the Transportation Fund. During the most recent fiscal year (FY17), the Meridian School District has received all of its General State Aid payments. However, the school still hasn’t received a mandated categorical payment for fiscal year 2017. Mandated categorical payments equal approximately $650,000 of revenue per year to our school district. This equates to almost 9% of our total revenue for the operating funds.
The State of Illinois’ delinquency in paying these payments, along with reduced funding over the last several years, has put a stress on Meridian CUSD #15’s financial health. To be more specific, the Meridian School Board has recently begun the process of amending it 2016-2017 school year budget to reflect the missing mandated categorical payments. The budget adopted in the fall of 2016 had a positive balance of $76,000 in these operating funds. However, with the missed payments, the school board will be forced to amend that budget and now will carry a deficit of $266,000.
To date, the Meridian School District has been utilizing its’ reserve funds to maintain the programs it offers our students. However, those reserve funds are limited and we cannot continue to cut another 9-10% of expenditures without effecting the programs that we offer.
We urge state government leaders to end the budget impasse, fix the education funding formula and pay schools what they are owed.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 25, 2017
April 25, 2017
The emails to legislators are heading out today. We will keep the pressure on until the funding is secured.
Reached 100 supporters
April 25, 2017
89 Comments
Why should our children be left behind? I bet the legislation has for the past 22 months received their pay.... also the federal government won't wait 22 months for the tax money we pay in or owe will they? Tell me how this is different? Stop putting our children's education in jeopardy!
Please put your political differences aside and pass a budget. By not doing so you are seriously damaging our state economy and our school systems. These kids are our future...please make and pass a budget for them.
Taking away governmental official's perks may be a way to shift funds to better balance the budget. Politions are not suffering from a lack of a state budget, our schools and students are.
The meridian school district in Macon/blue mound Illinois, where my two children ages 4 and 6 go to school is owed $412000 by the state. For my children's education sake this needs to be taken care of.
Not passing this budget is going to have a negative impact on public schools for years to come. As an educator, I realize the importance in compromising and working together to achieve a goal. It is time to set aside petty differences and start thinking about your constituents and the future of this state for once.
The Illinois State Constitution states “The State shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services.” By not having a budget, the state is not living up to its obligation.
I plead with you to pass a state budget this is beyond my sense of anger that our students/children are suffering because of the negligent of our state house. Get a budget that will satisfy school a d stop cutting school funding
Please pass a budget for this state.
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Why should our children be left behind? I bet the legislation has for the past 22 months received their pay.... also the federal government won't wait 22 months for the tax money we pay in or owe will they? Tell me how this is different? Stop putting our children's education in jeopardy!