STRASBURG - When money from the state of Illinois ran out, two dozen school districts that were promised a share of it were left wondering where it went.

The Stewardson-Strasburg School District was among them.

"This money had already been obligated," said Superintendent Ruth Schneider. "But when it was time to receive our money, all of a sudden we were told 'no.'

"They need to fulfill their obligation to existing programs."

She was referring to state lawmakers, who have yet to decide whether 24 Illinois school districts that were once promised multimillion dollar construction grants will ever get those funds. Meanwhile, Stewardson-Strasburg officials said the cost of building an addition will continue to rise.

Stewardson-Strasburg is still third on the list to get about $4 million in grant funds, which will be supplemented by about $2 million that district voters authorized the district to borrow in 2002.

The district plans to build new classrooms, computer labs, a media center and a new gymnasium.

"My impression is that the community wholeheartedly supported the addition," said Schneider.

But then the state's financial crisis hit a high mark.

"We don't have a School Construction Program any more," said Melaney Arnold, spokesman for the Illinois Capital Development Board, which administers such grants. "All previous money authorized and appropriated is gone."

Almost three years after the successful referendum, the Stewardson-Strasburg district hasn't sold any bonds, sent out for bids or broken ground.

"We really cannot proceed until the state releases the funds," said Schneider. "We are ready to proceed as soon as we get the OK."

Arnold said Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants school construction funding as part of a disputed capital budget.

The General Assembly failed to pass a capital spending bill during its fall veto session, and Arnold said the issue will be resurrected in January. "The governor does realize the need exists," she said.

But state Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, said, "This issue began last spring, and has involved a contest of wills."

He said the state has borrowed millions of dollars to meet its obligations to the school districts, but the governor has yet to release those funds.

"One of the first things we need to do is take care of those 24 school districts," he said. "They've received a direct promise from the state government."

Nathaniel West can be reached at nwest@; jg-tc.com or 238-6860.