Q&A Question & Answer

Glenn W. "Max" McGee

He assumes his new post at what appears to be an important moment in Illinois education. A new state foundation for per pupil school spending is in place, but statewide, spending inequities have yet to be addressed. Nevertheless, a new governor has taken office, the economy is thriving and 75 percent of the respondents in a recent statewide poll told Northern Illinois University at DeKaIb they would be willing to pay higher taxes for schools. Illinois Issues projects editor Maureen Foertsch McKinney talked with McGee about his plans. The following is an edited version of that interview. The photographs were taken by Randy Squires.

Q. Lawmakers set in stone a higher per pupil foundation level and guaranteed the money to fund it through 2001. Do you foresee their agreeing to make permanent not only an increased foundation level, but the funding for it?

That's two years of{ and I've been very pleased with the formula. And I was extremely pleased - thrilled might be a better word - with Gov. [George] Ryan's recommendation that we accelerate the increase in the foundation level. I would like to see the formula continued with an escalator built in so that each year continues to have some relation to an increasing [Consumer Price Index]. I do think that when the legislature looks at redoing the funding formula, however; we'll need to work on it with the legislature and the governor to put more resources into areas of greater need.

Q. Do you favor further reform of the school funding system? Should Illinois look deeper into the question of a tax swap?

First, I think this is an opportunity The fact that the formula was written for three years was done so purposefully. It gives us the opportunity to see how it's working. And I think it's incumbent upon me and school administrators throughout the state to show the legislature what we have done for boys and girls with the money that's been appropriated. I think if we can