Christopher Koch, Illinois’ school superintendent, told a Senate appropriations committee today that he believes there will be more than 13,000 layoffs in the upcoming year.
This is no surprise to IEA members who are reading and hearing daily about people they know being handed RIF notices, about money currently owed to their districts by the state and the dire predictions for what could happen next year.
Perhaps one of the most ominous parts of Koch’s testimony was where he noted that the 13,000 figure was based on only 75 percent of districts reporting their expected losses. There is still 25 percent of the districts in the state who have yet to report.
You are being given a first ever opportunity by Gov. Pat Quinn to weigh in on the budget he plans to present next week. Check out this video from Jim Reed, IEA’s government relations director, on how to post comments.
After watching the video, you just go to the Governor’s budget website and submit comments.
It’s important to be courteous, honest and, most importantly, real. Tell Quinn what you are seeing happen in your schools and what it means for your district, your school, its students, the community and for you.
And, it’s important that you take advantage of this first-ever opportunity. It’s crucial you allow your voices to be heard! Take a moment and tell the Governor how much you care.