 Regional Superintendent Jean Anderson was asked by committee
chairman Chuck Ruben to attend this month's finance meeting and give
an update as to consolidation with other districts. Recent state
legislation has mandated that there will soon be 35 educational
regions in Illinois. This will be down from the previous 44 regions.
Anderson began by giving a bit of background of information as to
why the number of regions is being reduced. As of June 26, 2012,
Public Act 97-0703 went into effect. This act will require the
reduction of the number of regions in the state of Illinois by June
of 2013. Right now, there is a tentative map with 37 regions that
still need to be reduced to 35.
Another reason for this consolidation is a change in minimum
population of a region. This population minimum changed from 43,000
to 61,000. Region 38, which contains Logan, Mason and Menard
counties, is just shy of that number.
"Either way, our office is going to be gone," said Anderson.
In order to meet these new requirements, Region 38 will have to
merge with another region. However, the consolidation will not
necessarily have to include all three counties.
Anderson told the finance committee that in October there were
brief discussions with Sangamon County, which is Region 51, in
solving this problem, but there has been no further discussion.
Anderson also said that Menard County has expressed interest in
joining Sangamon County.
"At that time, I told them that Logan and Mason were not
interested," said Anderson.
Anderson said she is concerned that if Logan joins with too large
a county, the services the offices provide could be negatively
affected.
Ruben said that representatives of Sangamon County recently
contacted him. "They wanted to make us aware that they were
interested if we were. We've worked with them on other things
before," said Ruben.
Anderson also said she has touched base with Region 39, which is
Macon and Piatt counties. Shortly after the act was passed, McLean
County also expressed an interest in working with Logan County.
Again, there has been little communication since then.
[to top of second column] |
Another option would be to join with Tazewell County. Tazewell
County and Logan County have similar structures in the school
system. Both counties have a dual district system in which the high
school is separate from the grade schools. Anderson said most of
those districts are seen in northern Illinois.
"We have also been closely affiliated with Tazewell County
through Mid-Illini Educational Cooperative for many years," said
Anderson.
In order to complete an eventual consolidation, Logan County and
any other county involved would have to pass a joint resolution.
Anderson provided the committee with copies of language that could
be used. The language was created by the Illinois State Board of
Education in 1993 Public Act 88-89. Dates and names of offices would
have to be changed, but a similar resolution would be needed.
Anderson told the committee she will continue to work on this
issue and keep the county board posted as to any progress that is
made.
Committee members present were Chuck Ruben, chairman; Andy
Meister; Bob Farmer; Jan Schumacher; Terry Carlton; and Rick
Aylesworth. Guests included Vicki Dugan, county treasurer; Mary
Kelley, circuit clerk; Sally Gosda from the health department; Jean
Anderson; and Angie Jenkins from the Logan Mason Transportation
Program.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
Past related article
|
