By Brad Palmer
Springfield, IL – LEGISLATION RESTORING SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING TO SEVERAL SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SCHOOLS WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON MONDAY.
THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE $21-MILLION APPROPRIATION BILL TO MAKE SURE FUNDING IS MADE AVAILABLE TO HELP SCHOOLS WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY LOST FUNDING.
ALTHOUGH STATE FUNDING FOR THE STATE'S SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCREASED OVERALL FROM $190-MILLION TO OVER $222-MILLION UNDER THE CURRENT STATE BUDGET, SEVERAL SCHOOLS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING DUE TO A FORMULA CHANGE ADMINISTERED BY THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BRADLEY - WHO SPONSORED THE BILL - SAYS HE WILL BE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE FUNDS ARE RELEASED IN A TIMELY MANNER.
MARION DISTRICT TWO IS SET TO RECEIVE OVER $519,000...JOHNSTON CITY DISTRICT ONE MORE THAN $214,000...CARTERVILLE OVER $193,000...BENTON GRADE SCHOOL WILL GET $125,000 AND BENTON HIGH SCHOOL MORE THAN $70,000.
OTHER SCHOOLS RECEIVING THE RESTORED SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING INCLUDE FRANKFORT DISTRICT 168, CRAB ORCHARD DISTRICT THREE, EWING-NORTHERN DISTRICT 115 AND AKIN DISTRICT 91.
