As a member of the Illinois Coalition of Nonpublic Schools you are entitled to receive the Electronic Report.  The purpose of this Report is to provide brief synopses of developments with the Illinois Coalition of Non-Public Schools, legislative updates, and information of interest to our nonpublic school administrators.  Additional information may be obtained by following the hyperlinks that are imbedded throughout the Report. 

 

DANGEROUS STAPH INFECTION

There have been stories in the news about staph infections and the impact it has had on schools throughout Illinois. Treatment of some staph (MRSA) infections has become more problematic because the bacteria have become resistant to various antibiotics.  The Illinois State Board of Education sent the attached guidance for schools with regard to such outbreaks. You are encouraged to review the information and share pertinent aspects related to procedures your school should follow.

 

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

 

After ICNS and CCI presented testimony at regional budget hearings across the state and before the entire House of Representatives, most of the Governor's budget vetoes were overridden by the House in a vote of 103 to 4.  The $10.1 million for adding nonpublic schools to the Educational Improvement and School Safety Block Grant and $14 million to the Parent/Guardian Transportation Reimbursement Program were included in the budget overrides.

 

Unfortunately, despite our strong lobbying push, and our having secured enough votes in the Senate to override the Governor's vetoes, the Senate President refused to call the motions to override for a vote.  This means the Governor's vetoes of the Fiscal Year 2008 budget will stand.  This was a tough fight, and we accounted for ourselves well; the result was not ideal but the future is brighter because of the work we did. However, on November 2, the General Assembly passed legislation including language to open the Educational Improvement and School Safety Block Grant to nonpublic schools.  This will be the first time the state has provided reimbursement directly to nonpublic schools for health and safety measures -- probably around $30 a student. The Governor still needs to sign the bill.

(Legislative information received from Zach Wichmann, Associate Director for Education, Catholic Conference of Illinois and Illinois Statewide Management School Alliance)

FYI ON ILLINOIS TEXTBOOK LOAN PROGRAM

According to the ISBE website, the Illinois Textbook Loan Program is for Grades K-6 this year.  Funding will be approximately $35 per student.  Packages will be sent to eligible schools on December 1st.  Ordering can take place between December 15th and March 15th. It looks like all ordering must take place through the IWAS system on the state website.  More information is available at ISBE.net, then look for Textbook Loan Information on the left side of the screen.

ICNS MEMBERSHIP
 

ICNS is your voice in Springfield to promote:
·         Tuition Tax Credit
·         Transportation Reimbursement Program
·         Textbook Loan Program
·         Federal Technology Grants
·         Teacher Certification/Administrative Certification
·         Nonpublic School Recognition Program
·         Early Childhood Regulations
·         NCLB “Equitable Participation” Pressure

If you were a member last year, have you renewed for 07-08? Do you need the membership renewal form? If so,  the web site link is .  http://www.icns.net/membership.htm

 

EDUCATION IN THE NEWS