LM Sept.2019

program. Other possibilities include improved after-school programming, better support of the performing arts and more advanced courses. “Our kids deserve the things that other more affluent areas can provide,” Bresnahan said. “We want to enrich and provide them with a more broadened global experience.”

Enrollment: 2,394 FY18: $198,807 FY20: $355,204 Type: preK–12 FY19: $169,609 How EBF has made a difference Additional state funding has helped Mt. Zion CUSD #3 attract and retain teachers in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage, replace old textbooks and balance the district’s budget. Teachers in Mt. Zion CUSD #3 received a 2 percent annual increase in salary as a result of increased state funding. “It was hard to keep up with inflation when we were getting the same amount of state aid as 10 years ago,” Superintendent Dr. Travis Roundcount said. #139 balance its budget, reduce kindergarten and first grade classroom sizes and provide better support to English Learners and special education students. Kindergarten and first grade classroom sizes dropped to around 15 students this school year because the district hired an additional elementary teacher, a move that wouldn’t have been possible under the old general state aid formula. “Lowering class sizes should have a big effect going forward,” Superintendent Brian Pasero said. “We want to follow what the research says about what class sizes are needed to best educate our students.” The district also used its new Evidence-Based Funding dollars to hire an EL teacher full time to support a growing number of Spanish-speaking students. “It got to the point where we needed it,” Pasero said. “The EL teacher will be in the classroom, pull students out for more focused small groups and provide more individualized instruction for EL students, as well as help translate for their families.” A part-time special education teacher at the high school was also hired to make classroom sizes more manageable. “Overall, increased state funding has allowed us to have more teachers and more staff available to help students, which is what they really need,” Pasero said. “We’re at a place now where we don’t feel like the bottom is going to drop out.” Continued support of EBF would... Continued support from the state would allow Chester CUSD #139 to build upon its success. Pasero said the plan moving forward is to address needs as the district sees fit while being cautious to not overspend on new staff or programs due to concerns financial gains under EBF will be offset by raising the minimum wage and increasing starting salaries for new teachers. Mt. Zion CUSD #3

Big Hollow SD #38

Enrollment: 1,754 FY18: $332,853 FY20: $493,115 Type: preK–8 FY19: $334,718 How EBF has made a difference Before the passage of the Evidence-Based Funding Model, Big Hollow SD #38 was on ISBE’s Financial Watch list and had classroom sizes well above recommended levels. Since the new state funding started flowing, the district moved to Financial Recognition, reduced classroom sizes and made significant investments to bolster curriculum and provide additional social-emotional supports for students. “There has been a shift and a different mindset, where we can now focus on how we can best support teachers and students in the classroom and not what we have to cut,” Superintendent Robert Gold said. Big Hollow SD #38 has added 12 new teachers at the elementary and middle school levels. Kindergarten through second grade classroom sizes are now at or below 20 students and grades 3–8 classes are below 25 students. “That was our primary focus,” Gold said. “We had an environment where our classroom sizes and teacher workload were overwhelming.” In addition, Big Hollow SD #38 hired its first Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, as well as increased social-emotional support for students by hiring one additional social worker and one behavior interventionist. “The morale in our district has improved significantly, and we are now steering more resources toward student supports,” Gold said. Continued support of EBF would... Big Hollow SD#38 intends to provide more supports for students who are struggling academically. The district hopes to accomplish that goal by hiring reading and math interventionists at the middle school.

Chester CUSD #139

Enrollment: 992 FY18: $272,189 FY20: $436,229 Type: preK–12 FY19: $376,079 How EBF has made a difference Increased funding from the state has helped Chester CUSD

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LM September 2019