'County to receive $2.9 million from Secure Rural Schools funding'

Lake County News

LAKE COUNTY - Recently renewed funding for rural schools and roads will bring millions into Lake County over the next four years, which the county's superintendent of schools says is an important piece of good news as the state's deficit threatens educational programs and jobs.


Rural counties around the nation received an important benefit when the federal bailout was passed earlier this month. That benefit came in the form of a four-year extension to the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act which was included in the legislative package, as Lake County News has reported.


The original act was passed in 2000 and ran out at the end of 2006. Since then there have been numerous attempts to renew the funding, which supplies money to rural schools and road departments based on historic timber receipts.


County Superintendent of Schools Dave Geck said the funds were part of an original agreement the federal government made to help mitigate the economic impact of discontinuing or drastically reducing the grazing, timber management and mining operations in our national forests.


For Lake County, the funding extension will bring in $2.9 million over the next four years, which will be split between school districts and the county, said Geck. Schools use the funds to support technology resources, libraries and other special projects.


County Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Cox said that while by law the money is split between roads and schools, there is a portion that can be used for other projects such as support of fire safe councils. Jeff Rein of the county's administrative office will take a report to the Board of Supervisors next week on the subject, Cox said.


Geck said the funding extension has been the only good news schools and communities in counties with national forest have received in a time of predicted state revenue shortfalls totaling $3 billion.


That deficit number, Geck said, is going in the wrong direction - increasing rather than decreasing. It's an issue the state Legislature will have to grapple with when they're called back into special session after the election.


Local schools don't yet know what kinds of cuts they may be facing, but Geck said many positions - such as those held by teachers and certificated staff, which are bound by contracts - can't be cut to make those numbers.


That, in turn, will shift focus to janitors, cafeteria and bus workers, and others on classified contracts, which can be laid off with a 45-day notice, he said.


If the state takes a midyear budget cut approach rather than trying to find fees or taxes, Geck said schools might have to begin considering more drastic measures - such as shortening bus runs or shutting libraries.


But, he emphasizes, none of that is a certainty.


“We're all kind of holding our breath here, waiting to see what happens,” he said. “You just can't be optimistic at this point, based on the number.”


Then, on Dec. 15, schools will have to submit to the state an interim budget, which may have to include cuts.


He added, “For the next two to three years, it's going to be a very, very difficult environment.”


Geck credited North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson with being instrumental in getting the funding extension passed.


“He has been steadfast in his support for the legislation,” said Geck. “His ability to convince fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle of the importance of this legislation was critical in its passage. Facing state budget cuts we were hoping for a miracle to avoid federal cuts. Mike really came through for us.”