Whether or not we have children in the public school system, most of us agree that nothing is more important to our society and our economy than a well-educated workforce.
The proposed constitutional amendment that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot states that an adequate elementary and secondary education for all students will be the state`s No. 1 priority. At a time when it is so apparent that student outcomes need to improve, this amendment represents a clear opportunity for us to move forward in preparing our students to meet tomorrow`s challenges.
The education amendment offers voters an opportunity to shift school funding away from property taxes to the state. This was the clear intent of the 1970 Constitution. Over-reliance on property taxes is the chief culprit in the inequities that exist statewide in per-pupil spending. With this amendment, the state`s share of school spending could rise from about 34 percent to a minimum of 50 percent. The share from property tax revenues should drop accordingly.
In the view of the educators of the Chicago Public Schools, the education amendment represents a chance for Illinois to move into the national spotlight for educational excellence. Let`s take advantage of this golden opportunity.
