RURAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE -- HON. EARL POMEROY (Extensions of Remarks - August 05, 1999)

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HON. EARL POMEROY OF NORTH DAKOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1999

Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join my distinguished colleague Congressman BARRETT of Nebraska, along with Representatives PETRI, BALDACCI, and THUNE, in introducing the Rural Education Initiative. This legislation will provide smaller rural school districts across the country with the flexibility and funding they need to provide a quality education for our children.

A strong investment in the public education system is critical to our nation's future. In recent years, Congress has recognized that reality by increasing federal support for education. These funds are currently disproportionately channeled to larger school districts. Many small and rural school districts have simply fallen through the cracks. Small school districts, including many in North Dakota, have had to forgo federal dollars because they lack the personnel and the resources to apply for competitive grants. Also, due to low enrollment and a lack of special categories of students in these schools, single formula grants fail to provide sufficient revenue to fund any one significant project. As currently structured, these federal grant programs fail to meet the needs of rural school districts.

To address the unique circumstances of smaller rural schools, the Rural Education Initiative would allow school districts with fewer than 600 students to combine funds from four distinct federal programs and provide additional funds based on enrollment. In North Dakota, Belfield Public School District, for example, which has an enrollment of 310 students, would receive a minimum grant of $50,000 under this legislation. By combining and increasing federal funds to rural districts like Belfield, this legislation would give school administrators the resources and flexibility they need to support local educational priorities.

Mr. Chairman, as Congress moves forward with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), we can not overlook our small and rural school districts. Thirty-five percent of all school districts in the United States and 86 percent of school districts in North Dakota have fewer than 600 students, and are currently struggling to make ends meet. The Rural Education Initiative would take a strong step forward by leveling the playing field for rural school districts, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
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