Here is the new money that McHenry County schools will receive from the new State Aid to Education law:
Marengo Grade and High School Districts, McHenry High School District and these unit school districts:
- Huntley District 158, Woods
- Woodstock’ District 200 and
- Algonquin’s District 300
have “adequacy” percentages close to that of Chicago, which is 63%.
McHenry County has about 2.3% of the state’s population.
If distributed according to population, the total would be over $7 million.
I admit to not understanding the new forumla, but it is clear that Cook County homeowners pay a much smaller percentage of the value of their homes in property taxes than those elsewhere in Illinois–especially the collar counties.
I diversely doubt that major difference in school funding is factored into the new State Aid to Education distribution calculations.
The Illinois mindset on school spending is, if you spend $200 K on a tricycle, that makes it a Porsche.
The State established 4 tiers to allocate $366.6 million of extra funding. 50% of that total was allocated to Tier 1 districts. They set the Adequacy Target at 64% to qualify for Tier 1. Notice that Chicago’s current adequacy funding rate is at 63%, just under the hurdle to qualify for the higher Tier 1 funding rate. They will receive an additional $60.4 million under this formula.
My district, Cary, qualifies as a Tier 2 District and will receive $62,210 or $26.39 per student.
What does “diversely doubt” mean? I’m struggling to grasp any line of thinking when you don’t comprehend the formula or what it’s trying to address; it’s not about population. And CROOK County has always paid a smaller percentage. Stick to covert pictures of signage changes, Secret Squirrel.