The state's regional offices of education are preparing for streamlining as they wait for the governor to sign the bill authorizing the change.
Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents President Bob Daiber is also the Madison County Regional Superintendent. He says a commission is being formed to streamline the state's regional offices of education.
Daiber says the law will cut nine offices, mainly from more sparsely populated areas. Two of the regional offices are expected to come from southern Illinois including the Jefferson-Hamilton County ROE and the office serving Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski and Union counties. Daiber says his association will help school districts and residents better understand what regional superintendents do.
Lawmakers passed a bill cutting nine offices by increasing the minimum population in a region from 43,000 to 61,000. The governor canceled funding for the offices last year because he didn't like the state paying for what he says is the responsibility of local school districts. Daiber says the commission will finish its work by next July. All current officers will finish their elected terms.