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         March 31, 2010        

ISBE to review constitutionality of
tuition for full day kindergarten

The Illinois State Board of Education ("ISBE") has agreed to my request that they review the constitutionality of public school districts requiring 5-year-olds to pay the school districts thousands of dollars in tuition for the kids to attend their free public schools.  I made the request during my presentation to the ISBE at their Board Meeting last week.

Financial times are tough for public school districts.  Some school districts are seeking to balance their budget by charging their youngest students between $2,500 and $3,000 in tuition to attend their free public schools for full day kindergarten.  This tuition charge surely is keeping some students from attending full day kindergarten at their free public schools on account of cost.

The taxpayers of the school district, and of the rest of the State, are paying a large amount of taxes to cover the costs of constructing and operating the school buildings, on the premise and promise that the buildings will be used to provide the children of each school district with a free public education.

The taxpayers of the school district, and of the rest of the State, are paying a huge amount of taxes to cover the costs of the administrator salaries -- make that the bloated administrator salaries, which range as high as $300,000 to $400,000 for the District Superintendent and as high as $250,000 for the school principal -- on the premise and promise that the salaries will be used to pay for administrators to provide public education that is free to the children of the school district.

Then, after all of that money is paid in taxes on the premise and promise that the money will be used to provide the children of the district with a free public education, the administrators turn around and tell the kids that they will not be allowed to attend full day kindergarten at their free public schools unless the kids pay thousands of dollars, each, in tuition.

It doesn't matter to the school districts that the Illinois Constitution, at Article X, Section 1, says, "Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be FREE.  And did I mention that the State Constitution says that education in the FREE public schools SHALL BE FREE?

It also doesn't seem to matter to the school districts that the Illinois Supreme Court, on several occasions, has said that "instruction in the subjects taught, without a tuition charge, provides free schools."

The official at the ISBE who is reviewing this matter has promised me that a response will be provided some time in April.  I'll let you know what he says.

Other Rob Sherman News stories about this subject matter:

Monday, March 1:  Rob Sherman Advocacy challenges unconstitutional kindergarten tuition fees

Wednesday, March 10:  Batavia Schools persuaded by Sherman to stop charging tuition for full day kindergarten

Friday, March 12:  Batavia Schools reinstate unconstitutional tuition-based full day kindergarten

Saturday, March 13:  Sherman to take challenge of public school tuition to Illinois State Board of Education

Sunday, March 21:  Schaumburg school district to charge tuition for full day kindergarten

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