NOTICE: Site Under Construction
The Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition recently suffered the untimely loss of its founder, Sharon Voliva. Sharon was a tenacious advocate for education reform, a diligent monitor of funding reform suggestions, plans and proposals, and a fearless voice for all children in Illinois.
It is our goal to continue Sharon’s work and vision which is set forth in our mission statement, “to reform the way schools are funded and to ensure a quality education for Illinois children." Commitment to this mission remains undiminished.
In determining the continuing role and focus of the Coalition, members met on Friday, September 19, 2008, and elected a new chairman and vice chairman. Barb Quinn of Elk Grove Village was elected to chair the coalition and Gail Morales of Evergreen Park was elected vice chair. Barb has been very active in the education movement and is the immediate past president of the Illinois PTA. Gail currently serves on the board of education for District 231.
The Coalition is updating this website, contacting members who have been out of touch, and planning an “information campaign” to keep the mission firmly in focus. To follow our progress, please check back at this site after November 4.
Meanwhile, for further information you may contact Coalition Chair Barb Quinn by clicking this email address link.
Background Information
Here are some sources that describe the challenges faced by the school districts and schoolchildren of Illinois, challenges the Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition seeks to address:
- Money Matters: How the Illinois School Funding System Creates Significant Educational Inequities that Impact Most Students in the State. This detailed and thoroughly documented analysis shows how resource disparities deprive hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren of the resources they need - from instructional materials to highly qualified teachers - for success in school.
- The Illinois Structural Deficit. This analysis shows how Illinois' revenue system - burdening the least affluent the most - creates a growing structural deficit and prevents the state from being able to fund schools adequately.
These documents were produced by the respected and bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability research organization. Reading these two reports will give you a solid understanding to the complex state fiscal conditions standing as barriers to adequate and equitable school funding.
These are the challenges the Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition seeks to address. We hope you will join us in this fight on behalf of the schoolchildren of Illinois.