How does Chicago school funding stack up?

The Daily Herald provides some numbers of per-pupil spending for school districts in the area as well as the average for the whole state:

High school districts

• Northwest Suburban High School District 214 (based in Arlington Heights): $14,453

• Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211: $13,576

• New Trier Township District 203: $16,856

• Stevenson High School District 125: $13,308

Unit Districts

• Round Lake Unit District 116: $7,328

• Barrington Area Unit District 220: $11,142

• Community Unit School District 300 (based in Carpentersville): $8,495

• Naperville Unit District 203: $9,881

• Chicago Public Schools: $10,409

• Elgin Area School District U-46: $9,067

• Farmington Central District 265 (about 20 miles west of Peoria): $7,372

• Cairo Unified District 1 (far Southern Illinois district, 100 percent of students considered low-income): $12,042

• State average: $9,488

I might somewhat sympathize with the issue of funding, however, I would attack the issue of quality. Between New Trier and CPS does another $6,000+ make a huge difference? Does it even go to the classrooms?

I guess a better question to ask is define quality. Does this entail better facilities, personnel such as teachers, or perhaps teaching methods? What about the issues of discipline and safety? Kids aren't going to learn or do much work so long as class is disrupted or someone decides to have a slobber knocker (fight) at some point at school.

The point being made here is to just say that there are other issues of concern with the school. Meeks' stunt today certainly will spotlight an issue talked about a lot, the issue of school funding. Let's see what comes out of that.

Story via Capitol Fax today. The post itself is a syndicated column from Rich Miller about the hugging going on at the Democratic Convention last week. Especially the hug between Democrats Gov. Blagojevich and state House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.