Governor Bruce Rauner proposed to cut school district funds for agriculture education in Illinois despite the state's Board of Education recommendation that it should be increased. The governor believes that it is up to the schools to decide if it should support agriculture programs. The funds should instead go to state aid, which can be used for other projects.
Currently, school districts receive $1.8 million in agriculture education funding and the school board is proposing an increase to $3 million in 2017. As it is, some schools also rely on additional aid and donations from the community to improve their agriculture program. However, the governor would like no funds to go to agriculture education next school year. Farm experts and business leaders are saying the lawmaker's decision is a mistake.
"Agriculture education programs allow for our young students interested in careers in agriculture to be educated and prepared to enter that workforce. Without that funding, many school districts would completely eliminate their programs," said state senator Andy Manar, per Capitol Fax.
About 25 percent of Illinois' economy rely on agricultural business and one in four jobs from this state is related to a career in agriculture. Schools introduce the basics of farming, stewardship and food production as early as kindergarten, and many students eventually leave school to become scientists, innovators or developers, lab experts or researchers, business experts and teachers. These jobs ensure that the industry is sustained and remains progressive. It also guarantees many career options for the students, per Sauk Valley.
"There's over 29,000 students enrolled across the state of Illinois in agricultural education programs, and there's more than 300 programs across the state, so this funding cut affects a huge amount of students," said Future Farmers of America (FFA) spokesperson Tim Arnold, per WSIL-TV.
However, the governor's office clarified that Rauner recognizes the impact of agricultural education and its importance to Illinois' economy. A spokesperson reiterated that the proposal to divert the funds to General State Aid - the first move in seven years - would give the schools "more flexibility to fund programs that they prioritize."
— Bruce Rauner (@GovRauner) March 24, 2016
What's your take on this proposal? Should Illinois schools be given the choice to use agriculture education funds for other programs? Will this provide a better answer for students' needs?
