Board discusses IASB resolution asking state to fund lap-and-shoulder belts for new buses; members stress need for funding source
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Summary
Board members reviewed an IASB resolution asking the legislature to create grant funding for a state requirement that new school buses include lap-and-shoulder belts. Members said the safety requirement (Senate Bill 191) passed without funding and discussed the need to protect mandated categorical transportation funding.
The Dixon Unit School District 170 board on Oct. 15 reviewed a proposed resolution to be considered at the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) delegate assembly that would urge the legislature to provide grant funding to offset costs associated with a state law requiring lap-and-shoulder belts on newly acquired school buses.
Board members and staff described Senate Bill 191 as having passed but without a dedicated state appropriation to pay for lap-and-shoulder belts. The Sycamore School District-originated resolution seeks a grant program so districts that face the largest burdens—often smaller or rural districts—would receive priority funding.
Board discussion focused on where the money would come from, whether the state would reallocate existing mandated categorical payments, and the risk that districts could be required to divert limited operating funds to cover the new costs. "They just passed the bill. The cost is coming. The cost comes later. There was no discussion of how it would get paid for," a board member said.
District representatives recommended supporting the IASB resolution so districts could have a collective voice asking the legislature for funding. The board indicated it would "do adopt" the recommendation to support the resolution and delegated a board member (the district's IASB delegate) to represent district viewpoints at the assembly. Members flagged the need to emphasize parameters for implementation and protection of other mandated categorical funds in any legislative fix.
No new funding was created at the meeting; the action was to support the IASB resolution and provide a voice for district concerns at the delegate assembly.