Finally, cash freed for Amboy school use

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AMBOY - When it comes to state funding for education, Amboy school officials say, better late than never. The Amboy School District has received a grant for $100,000 - money that officials expected to receive nearly 6 years ago. The grant was part of an agreement made between state Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling, and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in 2002. However, once newly-elected Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office, the grant lost its priority status, school board President Mark Becker said. "It was one of those things where the money was promised but as the administration changed ... that promise couldn't be maintained any more," Becker said. "We kept on applying for it ... just being hopeful an optimistic, and when the opportunity arose, Rep. Mitchell made sure the money came to Amboy." The money was meant to offset the cost of an elevator that Amboy High School needed for incoming disabled students. Because the elevator already has been installed, the money is likely to be used for other maintenance issues, Becker said. For instance, the school soon will need to replace more than 30 air handlers to meet clean air standards. The $100,000 should cover four or five, Becker said. "When it gets right down to it, sometimes you have to take care of basics," he said. Mitchell said conservative spending of the grant is probably wise, considering statewide financial pressure. "I think they're probably just going to try to make sure that they keep their budget balanced - something that everyone is struggling to do, including the state of Illinois."