HR0808 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0808 LRB100 20181 MST 35716 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois State Board of Education is charged with setting educational policies and guidelines for public and private schools, preschool through grade 12, as well as vocational education; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education analyzes the aims, needs, and requirements of education and recommends legislation to the General Assembly and Governor for the benefit of the school children throughout Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education's stated mission is to "Provide leadership and resources to achieve excellence across all Illinois districts by engaging legislators, school administrators, teachers, students, parents, families, and other stakeholders in formulating and advocating for policies that enhance education, empower districts, and ensure equitable outcomes for all students"; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recently enacted a new school funding formula with a historic amount of dollars dedicated to elementary and secondary education that the State Board of Education has been unable to distribute to schools across the State; and

WHEREAS, Due to years of budget uncertainty and numerous State-mandated regulations, Illinois is also currently facing a devastating statewide teacher shortage that has left schools across the State without qualified teachers in many classrooms; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education has recently informed the General Assembly that they have concerns about the cut in State funding that is being provided to it for administrative and employment purposes; and

WHEREAS, The State Board of Education recently posted on its website an advertisement concerning the position of "Storyteller" to serve under the Chief Education Officer; and

WHEREAS, The job description provides that the State Board of Education plans to hire three full-time "Storytellers" at a salary of approximately $47,400 to work in either its Springfield or Chicago offices; and

WHEREAS, These "Storytellers" will be tasked with, among other duties, connecting real-world practices from schools and districts around Illinois to show the impact of education policy and programs; and

WHEREAS, "Storytellers" are also tasked with creating compelling, persuasive, relevant, and accurate communications content that will increase engagement with programmatic goals and build community support for ISBE programs; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we believe this is not the appropriate time for the State Board of Education to hire three public relations professionals to serve as "Storytellers"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we believe these tax dollars would be of better use in the classroom helping educate the millions of children that rely on a quality public education in this State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the State Board of Education to focus its resources and energy on distributing evidence-based funding on a timely basis rather than hiring additional employees, in an already cash-strapped State agency, to travel the State of Illinois promoting a public relations campaign; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to State Board of Education Chairman James Meeks and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Smith.