Congress eliminates $35.8 million funding for rural schools in California, threatening vital programs. (Getty Images)
Rural school districts
across California are bracing for significant budget cuts after a key federal funding source was eliminated from the national budget. The
Secure Rural Schools
and Community Self-Determination Act, a century-old program that compensates rural counties with large swaths of non-taxable national forest land, was scrapped last month by Republican lawmakers.
The program, which has been a lifeline for rural schools since its inception in 1908, distributed nearly $35.8 million to 39 California counties last year. These funds were critical for maintaining essential educational services such as after-school programs, teacher salaries, and infrastructure repairs.
However, the bill failed to make it through the U.S. House of Representatives during December’s budget negotiations. The loss of this funding could have deep repercussions, especially for districts already struggling with limited resources. For many rural areas, the Secure Rural Schools program was not just supplementary funding, but an essential lifeline, given their limited tax revenue due to large swaths of federally owned land.
The Impact on Rural Communities
California’s rural counties, such as Siskiyou and Trinity, have long relied on the Secure Rural Schools program to supplement their budgets. In Siskiyou County, for example, the district received $4.3 million last year, which accounted for a significant portion of the education budget. Without these funds, rural districts may be forced to lay off staff, increase class sizes, or cut critical enrichment programs, all of which would disproportionately affect students in already high-need areas.
As quoted by CalMatters, Allan Carver, superintendent of schools for Siskiyou County, explained, “If it was to go away, there would be a hole in our budget that would have an undeniable impact on children.” Other superintendents, such as Jaime Green from Trinity County, have warned that the loss of funding could lead to severe disruptions in educational quality, especially in a region that has already faced challenges like toxic mold outbreaks in schools when funding was cut previously.
Calls for Urgent Action
Rural school leaders have been lobbying fiercely for the bill’s reinstatement, but the road ahead remains uncertain. Despite the bill’s failure in the House, it passed in the Senate, and advocates are continuing to push for a last-minute revival before the March deadline. "This year was vastly different," said Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore, emphasizing the urgency and importance of securing the future of rural schools.
With educational opportunities on the line, the fate of $35.8 million in funding now rests in the hands of Congress. Without it, rural students could face a much more uncertain future. As reported by CalMatters, superintendents and local officials are working tirelessly to ensure that rural schools are not left behind.