How Pritzker can help public school parents pay students’ band fees
Illinois students can face hundreds of dollars in expenses for marching band. A new federal program could help cover these costs.
A board committee of Plainfield School District 202 recently questioned the cost students face — up to $710 — to participate in marching band at its four high schools.
If Illinois opts into the Education Freedom Tax Credit, also known as the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, band members in Plainfield and other public school districts could access donated money to use on band costs and other educational expenses.
The program allows students in both public and private school to use the money for expenses including:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Tutoring
- Services for students with special needs
- Books, supplies or other equipment
- Extended-day programs
- Computer technology, equipment or internet access
- Uniforms, transportation or room and board
But students in Illinois can access the money only if Gov. J.B. Pritzker opts Illinois into the program. Otherwise, money from Illinois donors will flow to students in other states.
New York Gov. Kathy Hocul recently formally opted in New York. Illinois is in the minority of states that have not done so to date.
Mandatory band expenses in Plainfield
For students in the Plainfield district’s high school band courses, marching band participation is required, forcing families to incur additional expenses tied to their child’s music education.
The expenses for marching band participation range from $170 to $710 per student, largely depending on which competitions each school chooses to attend. Regional and national competitions, such as Bands of America events, cost more than local competitions for travel and other expenses but can provide a higher level of competition and the opportunity for students to perform in major stadiums or other venues.
During an Oct. 14 meeting of the Plainfield board’s curriculum and technology committee, members questioned the variety and level of costs associated with mandatory marching band participation.
District officials also raised concerns at the meeting about declining band participation, particularly among lower-income students. Fewer than half of the district’s middle-school band students continue into high school, prompting questions about whether the additional costs discourage participation.
Just three days after the meeting, bands from two district high schools, Plainfield North and Plainfield Central, finished in the top 10 at the Illinois State Marching Band Championships.
The district will continue to assess concerns regarding marching band participation, requirements and costs while seeking student input.
Donated money could help Illinois families cover school expenses
The federal tax credit program could unlock over $2 billion for Illinois students while taking no funding away from public schools. But Illinois students can access the donated money only if Pritzker opts Illinois into the program. He has until Jan. 1 to decide.
Individual taxpayers will receive a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 each year and married couples filing jointly could claim up to $3,400 in tax credits if each spouse makes at least $1,700 in qualified donations to scholarship-granting organizations. Scholarships will be distributed to eligible students whose family income is 300% or less of the area median income.
The donated money would give families another potential resource to help cover educational costs, such as marching band, helping students participate who otherwise might not be able to afford it.
