ROCK ISLAND, Illinois—
Not long before kids go back to the books, districts are dealing with the unknown. They're trying to prepare for the coming school year with no state budget in place. It's nearly an annual ritual for Illinois schools."We're kind of in a sit and wait mode right now," said Regional Superintendent Jim Widdop. "The planning is very difficult to do."
Difficult, too, for Widdop. On Wednesday, he was taking the oath for his first day on the job. But he's getting no return promises that state grants for more than a dozen programs will be in place. Programs that cover a range of topics from pre-kindergarten to truancy.
"We don't know who's going to be there," he said. "We don't know what programs will continue."
While school funding figures were put in place to tap the federal stimulus package, the Illinois budget remains on hold. That's as state lawmakers search for answers and consider a state income tax hike.
"You could lay every state employee off and cut those programs by 50%," said State Rep. Pat Verschoore, (D-Rock Island). "You're still going to be in trouble."
Rep. Verschoore doesn't expect that state lawmakers will return to Springfield until after the Fourth of July holiday.
Black Hawk College is keeping an eye on potential cuts to adult, career and vocational programs. Proposals that could force some tough decisions.
As the Moline campus holds a Discovery Day for prospective students on Wednesday, it plans to offer a full load of fall classes. The college credits its own balanced budget to counter state snafus.
"We have not received 50% of the payments owed to us for the last fiscal year," said Executive Vice President Rose Campbell. "That amounts to nearly four million dollars."
Black Hawk is practicing innovation and flexibility during tough times. The college is maintaining its career-building curriculum even with state delays.
"We have an obligation that we be able to meet the needs of our constituents," Cambell said. "We're working very hard in that endeavor."
Lessons about running schools that reach back to Springfield.
