Board adopts resolution urging Congress to fully fund and make impact aid mandatory

The Central Consolidated Schools board voted to adopt a resolution urging Congress to fully fund impact aid and reclassify it as mandatory federal spending, arguing the change is needed to stabilize funding for schools that serve students who live on reservations or whose parents work on federal land.

Board member Miss Chappelle presented the resolution, which traces impact aid's history and cites the Kennedy report on Indian education as context for extending impact aid to reservation communities. The resolution notes chronic underfunding of schools on and near reservations and the consequences for facilities, staffing, access to advanced coursework and wraparound services.

During discussion a board member asked where the resolution would be delivered; Miss Chappelle said the document is intended for federal advocacy and would be used in Washington, D.C., during meetings with lawmakers or their staff. The board agreed to add language requested by members to acknowledge broader local economic pressures and to ensure the text reflects that some high-need students are not Native American.

The board approved the resolution, with the presenter saying she would incorporate the requested edits before final dissemination. The resolution directs district leaders and board members engaged in federal advocacy to use the board's statement to request full funding and mandatory treatment for impact aid.