Schools Could See Thousands of Layoffs Updated: Thursday, 04 Mar 2010, 11:58 PM EST Published : Thursday, 04 Mar 2010, 11:58 PM EST Illinois Statehouse News illinoisstatehousenews.com By Kevin Lee
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois students could see a lot fewer teachers, librarians and even janitors when they return to school in the fall.
The state’s Board of Education estimated that local school districts would have to lay off more than 13,000 employees in the upcoming budget year.
The estimate is contingent upon whether or not the state continues to fund schools at the same level as it did for this budget year – a little more than $7 billion.
But this budget year, schools received a big boost of about $1 billion from federal stimulus funds. That federal funding won’t be available for the next budget, which means the state will have to fill that hole or face even more layoffs.
State Superintendent Chris Koch said state government had to face the possibility of downsizing school staff.
“At the very least we’re hoping that folks in the community understand that public education is really at risk and taking a major hit this year,” he said.
Koch added that the 13,000 estimated layoffs were based on three-quarters of schools that answered a survey from the state board, and that the estimate could be higher.
State Rep. Mike Smith, D-Canton, said personnel reductions would allow people to grasp the severity of the state’s fiscal crisis.
“It’s one thing to hear that we’ve got budget problems in Springfield. It’s another thing to hear how that trickles down to your local school district or how it affects your local human service agency or social service agency,” he said.
Koch testified Thursday before a committee of lawmakers who were discussing ways to reduce the state’s massive budget deficit of more than $12 billion.
Lawmakers will use Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget address next week as a springboard to upcoming budget negotiations.
State Rep. Jim Watson, R-Jacksonville, fears that lawmakers could pass a budget that would only provide enough money to state programs for six months.
Lawmakers adopted that tactic during the last budget session, when negotiations for a Quinn-supported tax increase fell through.
“The fear is that you end up with a six-month budget and everyone passes the buck until we get done with the election in November. I hope that’s not what happens,” he said. “It’s going to be time for some leadership.”
State Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, hopes lawmakers will not shy away from making difficult decisions.
“The bottom line is this: if we can do something different to make sure that we can cut down on whatever is being proposed, that’s what we do as legislators. Whether it’s 13,000, 12,000, whatever that number might be,” he said.
