Illinois State Board of Education Warns Schools of Funding Cuts

School administrators in Illinois are being warned to prepare for even less state funding for the next fiscal year.

The Springfield Bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports the Illinois State Board of Education is telling school districts to prepare to receive about 85 percent of the normal general state aid payments.

This year, the qualifying districts are getting 89 percent of the money.

Matt Vanover is a spokesman for the State Board of Education. He says the message to schools boards is to be "very conservative" when putting together budget projections.

State officials say schools are supposed to spend at least $6,119 a student. Local districts contribute money for the base amount, while the state makes up the rest. Poorer districts often need more state aid.