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State School Superintendent Warns of Massive Teacher Cuts if Education Budget is Cut
Democrats say it's wrong, and Republicans think it's a scare tactic. The Illinois Senate Thursday continued its hearings into 10 percent budget cuts, and what those cuts would do to various parts of state government.

With the subject being schools, state school superintendent Chris Koch (COOK) spoke about what's ahead for his budget, which includes between 13,000-17,000 layoffs. His proposal, which calls for about $26 billion in state and federal money, assumes that state government can't pump in any new money, and that the federal government won't kick in any more stimulus money. He says he's asked school to run the numbers, and with 75 percent of schools reporting, public schools would see 13,384 layoffs to teachers and other school staff.

His estimate does not include cuts for this fiscal year. Although Democrats are likely asking about 10 percent budget cuts because that's what's proposed by Republican governor candidate Bill Brady wants, Kock says schools can't lay anyone off this late in the school year. He explains that if someone were to cut, local districts would have to borrow or pass referenda to make up the costs. Republicans wonder if Democrats are simply trying to gain support for a tax hike by talking about cuts and layoffs.

(Illinois Radio Network)
03 05 10 by Newsroom
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