21 / 26
21
LM October 2019
Enrollment: 443 FY18: $65,172
FY20: $95,250
Type: preK–12
FY19: $73,294
How EBF has made a difference
Additional funding from the state has transformed teaching
and learning in Galatia CUSD #1.
Evidence-Based Funding allowed the district to hire an
additional part-time agricultural instructor and an extra
elementary teacher, dropping elementary classroom sizes
from nearly 40 students to 20 in the affected grade.
“Once we lowered class sizes, it became so much more
manageable for everyone,” Superintendent Shain Crank
said. “Our teachers can now devote more time to individual
students and help them succeed.”
Galatia CUSD #1 also used EBF dollars to hire two extra
paraprofessionals, providing students with another level
of support.
In addition, EBF made it possible to hire a consultant to
provide in-house professional development to teachers. The
consultant, coupled with the additional staff, helped push
Galatia CUSD #1’s school designation from the Illinois State
Board of Education from Underperforming to Commendable
at the junior high level and increased the overall scores of
Galatia CUSD#1 on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness.
“For a small community with about 450 kids that is a great
accomplishment,” Crank said. “The students are what we are
all here for, and to see the kids benefit from better instruction
and smaller class size has been tremendous to watch.”
Enrollment: 1,101 FY18: $392,447 FY20: $165,566
Type: preK–12
FY19: $216,274
How EBF has made a difference
Prior to the passage of the Evidence-Based Funding Model,
fund balances dwindled, staff was reduced and programs were
cut in Momence CUSD #1. The district also became a mainstay
on the state financial watch list.
“Just like so many districts throughout the state, we went through
some tough times,” said Superintendent Shannon Anderson.
“What we have been able to accomplish in these last couple of
years reinforces the belief that EBF would make an impact. We
noticed it almost immediately.”
For Momence Schools, the tide is turning. The district passed
a balanced budget the past two years and is no longer deficit
spending.
In addition, the district has begun to add back programs that are
making a significant impact on students. Momence CUSD #1
restored its high school agriculture program to full time, as well
as its Family and Consumer Science Program.
Furthermore, the district provided another level of support for
students by reinstating a junior high guidance counselor. Two
interventionists were also added—one in math and one in
English at the junior high and high schools. Two social workers
also came on board.
“The social workers are extremely helpful in assisting our
students in the social-emotional learning aspect of educating our
students,” Anderson said.
Continued Support of EBF Would …
With the continuation of EBF, Momence is looking to continue
the momentum with the reinstatement of a high school English
position, which was cut in 2016, as well as a new math
curriculum at the junior high. The district would also be able to
continue developing its EL program by hiring additional staff
and providing more resources and professional development
opportunities for staff.
Galatia CUSD #1
Momence CUSD #1
We are recruiting students of
color and low-income students and
getting them excited about taking
classes they previously thought
were only for other kids.
For Momence Schools, the tide is turning. The district passed a balanced
budget the past two years and is no longer deficit spending.
“With over 40 percent low income, and 30 percent students
of color, we need to continue to raise the bar and give
opportunities for our students,” Wakeley said.
Continued Support of EBF Would…
Galatia CUSD #1 plans to continue to look for new ways to
provide additional supports for students. The district plans to
continue to provide instructional coaching for staff, professional
development and potentially add new staff.
continued...