By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Teachers and staff in Unit 5 are getting a homework assignment from their superintendent.

“That’s what I’m telling teachers and staff, you are going to have to start writing (to Illinois legislators), writing to say we need a budget,” superintendent Mark Daniel said. “Please put the state of Illinois first and foremost.”

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Patti’s interview with Daniel on WJBC.

Daniel told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn the district is waiting on $10.8 million from the state to cover things like transportation, special education and breakfast and lunch. Many schools are behind on state aid because of the nearly two-year budget stalemate.

Daniel added the district has enough cash on hand to safely get through the end of the school year, but would have to ‘get creative’ to stretch that funding into the next school year if more money doesn’t arrive soon. He said the district has been told a $2.7 million payment could come by the end of the month.

Daniel said the state’s uncertain financial condition and the impact it’s having on the state’s colleges and universities is causing more high school graduates to leave Illinois to go to college.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].