Rep. Wait Announces Fast Growth Grant for Prairie Hill School District

Belvidere, IL…To address the needs of a growing student enrollment, State Representative Ron Wait (R-Belvidere) announced Prairie Hill School District 133 will receive a Fast Growth Grant awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education. The grant, which totals more than $62,000, will assist with the challenges the school faces with a rapidly increasing student population.

“There are many reasons that a school district may see a sudden influx in student enrollment such as the establishment of a new business in the area which attracts families, or a trend of families moving out of the city to escape the influence of urban life,” said Wait. “But whatever the case may be, rapid growth presents unique problems for schools which are difficult to address when funding stays fairly steady. This grant offers additional dollars for schools to tackle those challenges so they can provide a quality education to every student.”

Prairie Hill School District is one of 43 schools receiving the grant totaling $7.5 million. The school has seen a significant boost in student enrollment since the 2005-2006 school year when the population was 549 students. Enrollment now stands at 714 students – an increase of 30 percent in just 2 years.

“Prairie Hill School District is incredibly gratified that the state has recognized our need for this grant,” said Prairie Hill Superintendent Ted Rehl. “There are so many districts across the state who are expanding at such a rapid pace, and it is very difficult to keep up financially. It was so gracious of the ISBE to award our district with this grant which will go far to educate our young students.”

Wait said the grant can be used to pay for teachers’ salaries, books, computers, and other classroom materials. “Now, we must focus on crafting and passing a capital plan which will help build new classrooms for school districts across the state that are experiencing over crowding issues,” Wait said.