Local Officials Interested in More Details Surrounding School District Consolidation

Illinois is known for its abundance of local taxing districts. From forest preservers and park districts, to townships, libraries and school districts, the state has no shortage of bureaucracies.

In his February budget address, Governor Pat Quinn said that the state could save taxpayers $100 million by eliminating (and consolidating) up to 500 of Illinois' 868 school districts.

Shortly after the address, Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island), proposed House Bill 1886, calling for “all school districts in this state in existence on June 30, 2012 (other than the Chicago school district) are dissolved, and their school boards are abolished.”

Although unrelated to the governor's proposal, the bill was amid a firestorm of opposition.

Although Quinn has not elaborated further on his proposal, the issue of school district consolidation would appear to be one that will remain a buzz in Illinois, as the state continues to search for ways to repair its budget woes.

Superintendent Steve Griesbach said that the consolidation of school districts does seem to "make a lot of sense," and he would be interested in looking at a study, but did not think consolidation was practical for all districts, including Gower.

“I think it would be practical in locations where financing is much different – most of ours come from local sources – different from [districts] more dependent on state aid than we are,” Griesbach said.

He also added that he was in favor of the unit school district idea — combining schools under the umbrella of the high school they filter into and keeping students together from kindergarden through high school.

However, he said converting to unit districts also poses obstacles at the local level, particularity in smaller communities down state.

“Communities have identities around schools,” Griesbach said. “You would run into logistic issues, but also issues surrounding what may be a long history of tradition, for families and the community.”

Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for State Senator Christine Radogno (R – Lemont) said the proposal may be a good idea, but the devil is in the details and as of yet, none of those have been discussed.

“The idea of school districts consolidating is attractive to many districts, citizens, and legislators,” Schuh said. “But how that proposal comes into state law will have to be very carefully reviewed.”

Check back for more updates on this education issue.