Dold Visits Wheeling School to Discuss Proposal

U.S. Congressman Robert Dold, R-Kenilworth visited Holmes Middle School in Wheeling to discuss his proposal to “stop Springfield politicians from hurting low-income students by using federal education dollars intended to help in-need students to pay down unrelated past pension obligations,” according to a news release issued Monday. Dold was joined by Stand for Children Illinois, school administrators and school board members.

“We shouldn’t be using federal education dollars intended to help our most in-need students to bail out state legislators who can’t agree on a fiscally responsible budget,” Dold said. “This proposal ensures that we are giving our most vulnerable children the best chance to succeed and would have saved Wheeling District 21 more than $100,000 last year. This would have allowed the district to hire more teachers to support underserved students.”

Dold detailed how he said his amendment proposal would help low income students in the district.

“We greatly appreciate the efforts of Congressman Dold, and all of our elected officials, to advocate on behalf of our students, staff and community,” said Bill Harrison, President of the CCSD 21 Board of Education. “Our students are passionate about their learning and growth, and our teachers are dedicated to the achievement of all students. We are proud to have had the opportunity to highlight both for Congressman Dold during his visit.”

For years, the state of Illinois has taxed school districts, forcing them to pay not only the district’s pension obligation for teachers utilizing Title I funds but also millions more used to offset years of underfunding.

According to the news release, the state collects $74.5 million per year by taxing school districts and uses approximately $59 million of it to pay down accumulating pension debt.

“Dold’s proposal will put the $59 million back into educational programs and services to help low-income students. Under this proposal, the Title I money may be used to pay new pension obligations for the current year but not past obligations.”