Montana school districts on indigenous reservations are facing delays in receiving crucial federal Impact Aid funding. This funding is vital for maintaining school operations, as it compensates for the lack of taxable property in the area. Leaders like Jason Sargent and Lonnie Morin emphasize the challenges these delays bring, especially when it comes to planning and ensuring timely school payments.
MONTANA - School districts in Montana, particularly those on indigenous reservations, are experiencing delays in receiving federal Impact Aid funding. This funding is crucial for maintaining school operations, as it compensates for the lack of taxable property in these areas.
Jason Sargent, Superintendent of St. Ignatius School District, explained the importance of this funding. "Our general fund pays for the salaries of all of our employees and Impact Aid pays for everything else," said Sargent. Impact Aid funding accounts for 25% of the St. Ignatius school budget.
Approximately 40 school districts in Montana rely on this federal funding and have already received half of this school year's grant. Typically, the second half of the grant arrives in March, but they are currently delayed due to a continued resolution that remains to be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. This uncertainty complicates budget planning for the schools.
Sargent expressed the challenges of planning without a clear timeline for the funding. "It's nicer when you know where it's (the funding) coming from, when it's going to come, and how much it is. Obviously just for planning, it would be in our best interest to know as soon as possible," he stated.
Despite these delays, St. Ignatius is still in good financial standing as the district is using funding that was granted last year.
Lonnie Morin, executive director of Indian Impact School of Montana and business manager for the Arlee School District, voiced concerns about layoffs in the Department of Education. The layoffs included IT staff responsible for processing Impact Aid applications and determining school payments. Morin fears this could further delay and complicate the funding process. "If there is no one to compile the data, or if this is put off on some other department, there is no way to determine if the payments will come to us correctly, and in a timely manner," Morin emphasized.
Montana's Office of Public Instruction addressed the issue, with McKenna Gregg, communications and policy advisor, stating, "We have received no indication that Impact Aid would decrease. Congress is the one with the authority to reduce Impact Aid and the superintendent has spoken with our congressional delegation to let them know the importance of this funding."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Impact Aid funding, Superintendent Sargent remains "optimistic" the funding will arrive in the near future.
