That's according to Rock Island State Senator Mike Halpin who says 23 school districts in western Illinois will receive additional state aid this year totaling 4.3 million dollars.
Since 2017, school districts have received this extra help based on enrollment, numbers of math teachers and school counselors, the poverty rate, and a variety of other measures.
“It’s not a student’s fault that they grow up in an area that doesn’t have a higher equalized assessed vaule in their community. And they should be getting the same type of quality education than any other kid across the state should be getting.
Halpin says the General Assembly also promised to add 350 million dollars a year to this funding plan.
”I’m pleasantly surprised, not only that we were able to get it passed in 2017, but that we’ve been very steadfast in honoring that commitment to add funds every year, even in some difficult budget years between then and now. It’s my hope and intent that we continue that as we go forward.”
Additional state money from the evidence-based funding formula in western Illinois this year will range from 8,000 dollars for the ROWVA School District, to 450,000 for Galesburg, and 558,000 for Rock Island.