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The Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 1383/S. 356) provides essential federal funding to rural school districts located near national forests and federal lands. This program began in 2000 as a means to support rural counties across the US whose tax base was restricted by the amount of federal land in their region. Part of the Forest Service funds generated through multi-use activities are allocated to counties to help maintain local roads and schools within those regions. These funds support more than 4,000 schools across 700 counties in the United States. Rural Arizona school districts often face narrow tax bases that leave them financially vulnerable. The SRS funds help to level the educational playing field, particularly for tribal and rural communities in Northern and Eastern Arizona that rely heavily on federal assistance to provide quality education to all students.
The bipartisan support behind the bill underscores its importance. In the Senate, S. 356 passed unanimously, with bipartisan championing from Senators Wyden, Merkley, Crapo, Risch, and Arizona’s own Senator Mark Kelly. National education advocacy groups, including the School Superintendents Association (AASA), have described SRS as an “absolute lifeline” for rural districts, noting that roughly $290 million in annual funding hinges on the reauthorization—an efficient federal investment with exponential local impact. The bill now resides in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it will be up to them to determine the fate of these critical investments for Arizona schools. Included in this year’s bill is the back payment of funds not sent to schools for FY2024 and FY2025, as the bill did not advance during the budget process in FY2024. Without reauthorization, missing SRS payments could trigger immediate shortfalls for districts across the state. The consequences would ripple across communities, affecting not only students but also local economies and family stability.
This funding is part of the backbone that sustains rural education in Arizona. Its reauthorization is not just necessary, it’s urgent.
Contact your US House Representative today and urge them to support the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 so that Arizona’s rural students and communities aren’t left behind.
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