If voters next week approve a referendum raising Sangamon County’s sales tax rate from 8 percent to a maximum of 9 percent, it would reaffirm a philosophical shift in school funding already begun by the Illinois state legislature, says David Root, superintendent of Williamsville schools. Without sales tax revenue, school funding in Illinois is based […]
District 186
Posted inNews
A computer for every kid
When a lesson on loom use in Iran unexpectedly transcends into a dialogue about the global equality of humankind, a teacher has to wonder what went right. Layne Zimmers, who helped guide her sixth-grade students through that very lesson, says she knows exactly what it was – technology and the ability to access the world […]
Posted inNews
Renewed computers, renewed lives
It’s yet another Saturday work day at Springfield’s Computer Banc, where digital wizards infuse computers with new hope for the future. A pale green panel van backs up to a door in the small, ordinary white building on a nondescript asphalt lot at 1023 East Washington. The driver swings open the van’s back doors. The […]
Posted inNews
Bringing Computer Banc back to life
“The report of my death is an exaggeration.” —Mark Twain, May 1897. To paraphrase the great American storyteller, the report of Computer Banc’s demise was a bit premature. After abruptly closing its doors Sept. 2, Computer Banc has reopened with limited operations. It resumed distribution of computers beginning Oct. 1. “When the board met Sept. […]
Posted inOpinion
Three into one won’t go
To build or not to build, that is the question. The answer will depend not on the review of high school facilities needs underway at School District 186. It will be determined by the voters — appropriately, if you are concerned about democracy, inappropriately if you are concerned about education. Common sense and consultants made […]
