Dear Editor and Readers,
As a former teacher and principal, I place a high value on our public K-12 schools and know from firsthand experience how important every dollar is to our students and teachers. Small rural schools, like those in Macoupin County, rely heavily on a state funding formula that short changes the districts needing help the most.
Earlier this year State Senator Andy Manar passed legislation that would change the current formula to fund schools based on their actual need. His reform proposal would bring an estimated increase of $6 million to school districts in Macoupin County, and hundreds of millions more for downstate schools and the students they serve. Unfortunately, his opponent, Linda Little, is joining those trying to make sure this money stays in rich districts rather than being fairly distributed to the schools that have the greatest need.
Local State Senator Sam McCann, a Republican, voted in favor of Andy Manar’s education reform proposal because it will benefit schools in Macoupin County and downstate Illinois. McCann stated, “The current formula is out of touch with current fiscal realities and it creates major disparities throughout the state.”
The school districts in Linda Little’s hometown of Decatur would receive an annual increase of $2.7 million under Senator Manar’s plan. Why would she not support this needed reform of educational funding and schools in her hometown? Is it because she has received over $100,000 in campaign contributions from donors outside the district who oppose the reform? The real question is a simple one: Is Linda Little willing to put campaign donations over the needs of the students in her own community and central Illinois?
The same politicians who publicly oppose and voted against the education funding reform bill are the ones paying for Linda Little’s campaign. She has received a great deal of money from individuals and groups who are trying to buy a vote against Manar’s reform plan. As of April, over 90% of all the money contributed to Linda Little’s campaign came from politicians who want less than fair funding for our local schools while keeping extra state education money for their much wealthier schools.
Linda Little is selling out our local teachers and students for the benefit of her political ambitions. This is something our schools and students cannot afford. She has willingly accepted large amounts of money from politicians who are out to stop schools in our area from getting their fair share. If she is willing to do that, what else will she be willing to sacrifice in Springfield?
Fair funding for our schools and equal opportunity for all Illinois students are not things with which anyone should play politics.
Sincerely,
Dick Spohr,
Retired Educator
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