Noting every dollar the state can save Illinois schools, is one more dollar that can be spent on educating students in the classroom, lawmakers joined the Governor and local school officials in Lombard Feb. 19 to outline proposed legislation that would provide mandate relief for Illinois schools.
The measure, House Bill 6164, takes a three pronged approach to reducing costly state mandates on schools—which could save schools $200 million statewide.
Districts would be able to adopt a policy to allow certain students to be released from mandatory P.E. classes, if the students are taking part in equivalent activities, such as sports. Schools would be required to hold a public hearing before adopting the policy.
Schools would be able to save money on expensive driver’s education training by contracting with private companies that offer driver training curriculum for high school students.
The legislation also makes it easier for school districts to utilize private contractors for services such as cleaning and food preparation, by eliminating current requirements that make it more costly to use outside vendors
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