District 181 Opts Out of Race to the Top Funding

February 4, 2010

Despite cutting $1.72 million, Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 has opted not to participate in Illinois’ Race to the Top competition for federal funding.

"It’s revenue without much flexibility," Interim Superintendent Bob Sabatino said. "It does not allow class size reduction."

Race to the Top is a $4.35 billion competitive fund from the U.S. Department of Education available to states willing to take dramatic steps to improve public education. The application deadline was Jan. 11.

School districts such as Butler Elementary District 53 in Oak Brook, Darien Elementary District 61 and Elmhurst Unit District 205 have joined more than 300 school districts throughout the state by signing a memorandum of understanding to show their interest in joining the program. School districts do have 90 days to pull out.

The federal government requires that to be considered for the funds, states must demonstrate considerable reform in four areas: internationally benchmarked standards and assessments, data systems to support instruction, great teachers and leaders, and intervention in the lowest-performing schools and districts, according to the Illinois State Board of Education Web site.

If Illinois is selected, the state could receive between $200 million and $400 million over a four-year period, according to a memo Sabatino sent Jan. 7 to the District 181 Board members. The State Board would retain half of this money to implement new programs and enhance services.

The other half would be distr ibuted to school districts through the Title 1 formula with need being a priority. The federal government would require Illinois to identify the lowest 5 percent performing schools and consider them high-priority schools.

"I think we’re doing a lot of things right, and this helps lower-performing schools do better," Sabatino said.

Darien Superintendent Bob Carlo said any time free money becomes available to a school district, it is important to consider getting involved.

"Money is limited," he said.

And this also is a driving reason Butler officials want to become involved, Superintendent Sandra Martin said. Although Illinois might not receive any money, she said this is the only opportunity to sign on.

Sabatino said using this federal money would not help District 181 decrease its deficit or reduce class size or expand its foreign language program.

"We’re not looking for new program," he said, adding the district staff would like to make its existing programs more efficient.

In the memo to the board members, Sabatino outlines the other reasons for not participating:

• The funds are subject to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act accounting and reporting procedures, which are tedious when receiving smaller portions of funding.

• The funds must be used for new programs, which would severely tax the district’s capacity.

• The four areas the funds target are geared to help high school and low-performing schools.

• This is a race to the top and District 181 already is at the top.

Sabatino said he can understand why high school or unit districts are opting to participate because the money would help schools prepare students for college, something District 181 as an elementary district doesn’t get involved in.

"I don’t see this as something that will provide District 181 with resources," he said.