Superintendent Perspectives: District School Funding

As educators and staff have entered the new academic year, there is much to consider in the coming months. District leaders, in particular, face hard decisions about funding priorities, especially with the expiration of ESSER funds around the corner. With that, we asked superintendents of public K-12 school districts in Illinois for their thoughts on what’s front of mind for them at the beginning of this new school year. Each week, we will feature a different leader’s perspective.

10.17.24

Donn Mendoza, Round Lake Area School District #116 Superintendent

What is a word or sentence you would use to describe how you are entering this new school year?
Complex

What are the most pressing needs/ priorities to fund in your school district?
Capital Needs and Educational Programming

How is the expiration of ESSER funds impacting programming, staff and other aspects of your school district? What shifts have you had to make as a result, if any?
We have eliminated staff funded via ESSER and are now not able to address HVAC and air quality needs

What doesn’t Illinois think about enough when it comes to adequately funding K-12 education?
The degree to which districts are still far below 90% adequacy like Round Lake School District #116

10.7.24

Ed Fletcher, Monmouth-Rosevelle Superintendent 

What is a word or sentence you would use to describe how you are entering this new school year?
Excited to serve our students and families.

What are the most pressing needs/ priorities to fund in your school district?
To offer competitive wages to staff. To meet the needs of our increasing number of newcomer and immigrant students.

How is the expiration of ESSER funds impacting programming, staff and other aspects of your school district? What shifts have you had to make as a result, if any?
We are finding ways to sustain initiatives that were implemented with ESSER funding by using EBF funds.

What doesn’t Illinois think about enough when it comes to adequately funding K-12 education?
EBF has been a great change to K-12 funding, but we must continue to adequately fund the formula to keep up with rising costs and increasing student needs.