By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – In these strange times, schools find themselves with gaps to close.

Illinois State Board of Education superintendent Carmen Ayala told an Illinois Senate committee Wednesday about the digital divide.

“Part of what we were experiencing was students have the device, but the family doesn’t have connectivity,” and Ayala said grant money is helping, as well as to extend broadband.

Robin Steans, president of the education interest group Advance Illinois, said the transition from online learning back to the classroom will be a difficult one for everybody involved, so don’t be surprised about that.

And Steans had some words for those who would cut the education budget.

“If we took a five percent cut, and I know that has been discussed,” said Steans, “that will wipe out one year of evidence-based funding dollars. If we cut again by another ten percent, we will be exactly back where we started three years ago.

“That’s what’s at stake.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]