In Chinle, Arizona, financial distress caused by the government shutdown has led to the suspension of after-school programs, including some that students rely on for meals. Federal money makes up only a small part of most school budgets in the U.S. But at Chinle Unified School District — spread across 4,200 square miles in the heart of Navajo Nation — half of the revenue comes from a single federal program called Impact Aid.
Most school districts rely largely on local property taxes to fund teacher salaries and building upgrades. However, districts like Chinle, which includes Native American reservations, have fewer options for raising local taxes for education due to the non-taxable status of federal land. The federal government contributes $1.6 billion a year in Impact Aid to schools across the nation, and this year, those payments have been suspended during the shutdown, forcing schools to make difficult decisions about program cuts.
Chinle's superintendent, Quincy Natay, expressed concern, stating, The kids maybe are going home and not eating, because these are the only three meals they may get in a day.
Food aid for families has also been affected, with disruptions reported in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While federal judges ordered some continuation of funding, uncertainty hangs over how long it could take to fully resume payments. Arizona itself receives substantial Impact Aid, particularly due to its military bases and extensive tribal lands, but as payments slow, districts like Chinle are grappling with how to manage their budgets.
At Chinle, Impact Aid contributes approximately $30 million, supporting teacher salaries, full-day kindergarten, and other costs. Currently, after-school programs are on hold, along with multiple construction projects. Without resumed payments, Natay warns that the district may soon need to borrow money to meet payroll obligations. Several district officials have voiced concerns over the indefinite layoffs in the Education Department, as these positions are crucial for answering questions about funding.
Federal funding allocations for school districts typically arrive before the start of a school year, but Impact Aid payments are typically expected to begin in October. Most districts that rely on this funding maintain deep reserves to weather the uncertainty, yet many are starting to see the effects of the shutdown.
The repercussions of these delays are severe. With multiple Colorado schools already scaling back operations, the future remains grim without immediate congressional action to resolve the shutdown.
Most school districts rely largely on local property taxes to fund teacher salaries and building upgrades. However, districts like Chinle, which includes Native American reservations, have fewer options for raising local taxes for education due to the non-taxable status of federal land. The federal government contributes $1.6 billion a year in Impact Aid to schools across the nation, and this year, those payments have been suspended during the shutdown, forcing schools to make difficult decisions about program cuts.
Chinle's superintendent, Quincy Natay, expressed concern, stating, The kids maybe are going home and not eating, because these are the only three meals they may get in a day.
Food aid for families has also been affected, with disruptions reported in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While federal judges ordered some continuation of funding, uncertainty hangs over how long it could take to fully resume payments. Arizona itself receives substantial Impact Aid, particularly due to its military bases and extensive tribal lands, but as payments slow, districts like Chinle are grappling with how to manage their budgets.
At Chinle, Impact Aid contributes approximately $30 million, supporting teacher salaries, full-day kindergarten, and other costs. Currently, after-school programs are on hold, along with multiple construction projects. Without resumed payments, Natay warns that the district may soon need to borrow money to meet payroll obligations. Several district officials have voiced concerns over the indefinite layoffs in the Education Department, as these positions are crucial for answering questions about funding.
Federal funding allocations for school districts typically arrive before the start of a school year, but Impact Aid payments are typically expected to begin in October. Most districts that rely on this funding maintain deep reserves to weather the uncertainty, yet many are starting to see the effects of the shutdown.
The repercussions of these delays are severe. With multiple Colorado schools already scaling back operations, the future remains grim without immediate congressional action to resolve the shutdown.
