From The Chicago Tribune: Illinois leads the nation with 214 one-school districts--almost a quarter of the state's school districts, That distinction doesn't come cheap. Taxpayers spent about $2,000 more per student on average to educate kids in one-school districts in the Chicago region, compared with multischool districts. Downstate, taxpayers spent almost $600 more per student, on average, for children in one-school districts compared with multischool districts.
RELATED: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s school-merger proposal faces big hurdles. (The Chicago Tribune)
ALSO: A plan that would force school districts in Illinois to consolidate does not sit well with many district superintendents. (The Springfield State Journal-Register) FEBRUARY 2011...from The Carbondale Southern Illinoisan: Illinois Superintendent of Education Chris Koch says the state needs to consolidate school districts, a move that could save millions of dollars. His comments came a week after Gov. Pat Quinn announced in his budget address that by eliminating about 500 of the state’s nearly 870 districts, Illinois could save $100 million.
Earlier...from The Chicago Tribune: Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn's proposal to slice the number of school districts in the state from 869 to no more than 300 in two years might compel consolidations. Previous efforts dangled financial incentives or required local voter approval. Quinn plans to work with lawmakers to empower a commission to redraw district boundaries. Quinn estimates could save $100 million in administrative salaries. Many districts could become unified districts that span kindergarten through high school. The state now has a patchwork of school systems — elementary, high school and unified.
