State Board of Education Asks for $874 Million Dollar Budget Increase

School is in session and in the classroom they learn the math, but some are wondering whether the people in charge of Illinois public schools can do the math.

The Illinois State Board of Education says it wants a nearly $900 million dollar funding increase for fiscal year 2014.

Illinois State Senator Dave Syerson explains "What the state board ought to be doing is saying how we can do more with less. How can we help come up with some ideas or reduce mandates, something that's going to help local school districts realistically work with less money?"

That's because the state of Illinois is so deep in debt now it can't afford a 13.4% increase for schools.

Sen. Syverson explains "they know Illinois can't currently pay its bills.  In fact, they're talking about making further cuts in programs like education.  So to come out and imply that schools need that additional money is disappointing."

State school board members say the increase is based on state law, which mandates funding to schools of more than $6,100 dollars per pupil. It's something that hasn't happened in recent years because of budget cuts.

Rockford Public School officials say the extra money would help, but they're willing to work with whatever they get.

Rockford Public School's Communications Director Earl Dotson Jr. says "we always work towards a balanced budget, but obviously as payments come in, are delayed, etcetera that affects your bottom line, but currently we are in a strong financial position."

The 2014 budget for the ISBE will be voted on by the end of May.