Rural schools in California already struggle with declining enrollment, staffing shortages and wildfires. Now theyre facing the possible loss of money theyve relied on for more than a century.
The Secure Rural Schools program, which brings extra money to counties with large swaths of untaxable public land, faces an uncertain future in Congress as it awaits renewal. Despite bipartisan support, the program has yet to pass on its own or as part a larger funding bill. If it doesnt pass, it will expire.
This money is an absolute lifeline, said Jaime Green, superintendent of Trinity Alps Unified in Trinity County, where more than 70% of the land is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. If it doesnt get renewed, thousands of people in rural communities will lose their jobs, thousands of children will be harmed. Its mind boggling to me that were in this position.
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