Parent response can determine federal aid outcome

Parents of Yuma students could determine how much federal aid county schools receive by completing documentation for the Impact Aid Grant, educators said.

The U.S. Congress has passed laws providing for funds to make up for property taxes that are lost where there is a residence or business located on federal property. This offsets the fact that the federal government does not pay taxes which would typically contribute to school funding, said Ryan Hackman, executive assistant at Carpe Diem School, a Yuma charter high school.

"It's an annual assessment to discover how many students are on federally committed lands and fund them accordingly."

The grant provides funds to bolster school districts in locales with a concentration of students who reside on Indian lands, military bases, low-rent housing properties or students with parents in the uniformed services or employed on eligible federal properties.

But before Yuma County school districts can access these funds, an Impact Aid form must be completed for every child attending a Yuma County school, even if the student is not federally connected, according to YUHSD officials.

"All the districts work collaboratively in hopes of families returning the surveys to enhance revenues and resources so that we may continue to provide for our students," Richard Faidley, YUHSD associate superintendent said.  

In an e-mail memo, YUHSD noted that for each survey returned their funding for students could increase by:
• Military students living on a base, $4,391
• Parent works on federal property, $219
• Student living on Indian lands, $5,488

The Impact Aid Grant covers all public primary and secondary institutions, including charter schools. This is the first year Carpe Diem has met federal qualifications to be eligible to receive funds, Hackman said.

"Obviously, in the light of state budget cuts, any additional dollars we can obtain critically contribute to our maintenance and operating budget."

A parent-pupil survey of residency and employment form was sent home to parents in the school districts in Yuma County on Nov. 2. Toni Badone, YUHSD superintendent, urges all parents to complete the forms and return them to the schools to maximize the amount of federal money available since Yuma qualifies as a community and the funds will be used to increase opportunities for students.

The forms are due back to the school district on Friday, Nov. 13.

William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.