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Ehren Jarrett - Public School Funding

Dr. Ehren Jarrett, the Superintendent of Rockford Public School District #205 in 2020, discusses the fiscal challenges his district faces. A supporter of Illinois's new 2017 Evidence Based Funding Model, Jarrett covers the challenges caused by static state school funding appropriations which often led to pro-rationing, hurting districts like Rockford with a large percentage of low income students. This funding shortfall led to challenges in building upkeep, restrictions in adding or maintaining curricular programs, and large class size. He discussed the positive impact that the state's 2017 funding model has had on the district, and the difficulties posed by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.