For Immediate Release
January 25, 2008

ISBE announces $7.5 million to assist fast-growing districts
43 districts receiving additional funds to cover
needs of growing student populations

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced $7.5 million in fast growth grants that will be distributed to 43 districts around the state for the 2007-2008 school year. The grants are given to help districts meet the needs associated with quickly growing student populations.

“Fast-growing school districts can face unique challenges as they scramble to ensure they have enough staff, supplies and materials for new students,” said Christopher A. Koch, State Superintendent of Education. “This money offers districts much needed assistance to deal with a rapidly expanding student population.”

The fast growth grants are part of the historic $560 million increase in education funding initiated by Governor Rod R. Blagojevich and approved by the General Assembly for Fiscal Year 2008 (FY 08). During FY 08 the foundation level for education increased by $400 dollars per pupil to $5,734. In addition, Governor Blagojevich used his amendatory veto power to correct a glitch in the Budget Implementation Bill that will allow for an additional $50 million to be paid to schools during FY08 for reimbursing special education expenses. The special education personnel reimbursement rates to schools were increased in FY 08 for the first-time since 1985, an increase of $1,000 dollars for certified personnel and $700 dollars for non-certified personnel.

Public school enrollment in Illinois increased steadily from 1,951,998 in 1998 to 2,077,856 in 2007. In the last decade, student enrollment increased by 125,858 or 6.4 percent. During that same time, the number of school districts in Illinois has dropped from 900 to 871.

Other Illinois enrollment facts include:

• The average school size increased nearly 6 percent from 505 in 1998 to 534 in 2007.
• Students who are Black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, or Multiracial/ethnic make up 45.1 percent of the enrollment in 2007, up from 37.5 percent in 1998.
• The number of low-income students increased by 4 percent during the past decade, from 36.3 percent in 1998 to 40.9 percent in 2007

Fast growing districts often find themselves with more students than resources. They may not have enough classroom and other materials or may have to hire additional faculty and staff to meet the increasing student demand. The grants can be used to pay for salaries, books, computers, supplies and classroom materials.

School districts are eligible if during the two most recent school years their enrollment has increased by greater than 1.5 percent for districts with more than 10,000 students or greater than 7.5 percent or more for districts with an enrollment under 10,000.

The 43 school districts receiving the grants are:

• Plainfield School District 202 – $1,624,493
• Oswego Community Unit School District 308 – $819,394
• Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204 – $538,447
• Huntley Consolidated School District 158 – $499,858
• Yorkville Community Unit School District 115 – $431,822
• Community Unit School District 300 – $400,941
• Valley View CUSD #365U – $318,769
• Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 – $300,287
• McLean County Unit District No. 5 – $280,233
• Aurora East Unit School District 131 – $203,312
• Plano Community Unit School District 88 – $203,304
• Central Community Unit School District 301 – $202,652
• Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 – $201,499
• Berwyn South School District 100 – $185,391
• Minooka Community High School District 111 – $139,836
• Lansing School District 158 – $124,540
• Hononegah Community High School District 207 – $118,834
• Midlothian School District 142 – $116,019
• Fremont School District 79 – $106,360
• Big Hollow School District 38 – $88,628
• Beecher Community Unit School District – $63,135
• Prairie Hill Community Consolidated School District 133 – $62,156
• Nauvoo-Colusa Community Unit School District 325 – $52,474
• Central School District 51 – $51,154
• St. George Community Consolidated School District 258 – $35,798
• Fisher Community Unit School District 1 – $35,600
• Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81 – $34,075
• Salt Creek School District 48 – $30,591
• Dwight Township High School District 230 – $28,536
• Smithton Community Consolidated School District 130 – $27,413
• Sandridge School District 172 – $23,066
• Waltham Community Consolidated School District 185 – $19,105
• Woodlawn Community High School District 205 – $16,541
• Bradford Community Unit School District 1 – $16,040
• Ashley Community Consolidated School District 15 - $14,454
• Grass Lake School District 36 – $14,204
• Deland-Weldon Community Unit School District 57 - $13,657
• North Wamac School District 186 – $12,367
• Robein School District 85 – $11,920
• Farrington Community Consolidated District 99 – $9,241
• Armstrong Township High School District 225 – $8,870
• Cypress School District 64 – $7,512
• Hollis Consolidated School District 328 – $7,466