Yabapai County School Principal Steve King [R] I attended a meeting at the Kiwanis Club in Sedona Bel Rock on Tuesday, April 1st. His first speech to the group after his victory in the uncontested general election last year.
King said he met with staff from U.S. Congressman Eli Crane. [R-District 2] The day before, we will be lobbying for reapproval of the Secure Rural Schools program. The program was re-authored on February 15th, 2021 through 23rd 2021.
The program funds schools, roads and services in more than 700 counties by allocating US Forest Service revenues from grazing leases, timber harvesting and special use permits. Half of the funds are distributed to school districts based on the number of registrations, while the other half is distributed by a five-person board of directors, known as the Forest Rate Management Association, which represents the district and allocates funding for general projects across the country.
Jennelson, executive assistant at Yavapai County Educational Services Agency, said the county recently received $1,485,829.93 from the program in April 2024.
“To date, no funds have been paid for the September 2024 SRSA,” Nelson said. Without Congress’ reapproval, the program expires at the start of the new federal fiscal year in October.
“Last April [the Sedona -Oak Creek School District] It received $44,971.44 in the SRSA fund and paid FFMA $22,485.72. This year, FFMA was paid to the Yavapai County Election Department, which paid $20,058.42 in Sedona’s election costs. [SOCSD] Technology refund $20,610. ”
Yabapai County Supervisor Nikkicheck [D-District 3]Supervisor Brooks Compton [R-District 1] Morley Thompson, Morgan County, attended the NACO Legislative Conference in Washington, DC from March 1st to 4th, during which time he also lobbyed Senator Mark Kelly. [D-Ariz.] For reapproval of the SRS program and payment in lieu of taxes.
“Together with the National Association of County, it is a priority for the County Supervisors Association and I am working on it. [the] Check said the Public Land Commission within the County and County Association has since been ongoing. She added that SRS funding is closely related to federal payments in lieu of tax programs.
“I think it’s very important to just put the words out there, but I’ve exhausted all the paths I have,” King said. “It’s not a new tax. It’s the fees distributed to schools due to a lack of taxable property. This is the way many schools are funded in Arizona. It’s been very successful. It’s always been bipartisan support. It wasn’t a politically controversial issue.”
Crane’s office did not respond to requests for comment from Larson Newspaper.
King also spoke about the appointment of an alternative to Misty L. Cox, the Mingus Union High School District Trustees, who resigned on March 25th.
“As the county school principal, my responsibility is to appoint board members and hold the board,” King said. “And if a member of the school board resigns, he will resign in the middle of them. [term]and then choosing the next board of education member will fall on me. And I had my first appointment [Kayla Elder] 2 weeks ago at Seligman…and now we have a new board [seat] Open Mingus. ”
Anyone interested in applying for a vacancy can send a resume and letter of interest to Jenn Nelson, Yavapai County Education election coordinator, 2970 Centerpointe East, by email at AZ 86301, Prescott, or jenn.nelson@yavapaiaz.gov.
Applicants will be asked to explain themselves, their education, background, why they would like to serve the board, their mailing and address, and their telephone number. Letters of interest will be open until 5pm on Wednesday, April 16th, with reservations scheduled for Friday, April 18th.
King also encouraged participants to volunteer with local school districts in all abilities.
Kiwanis Club in Sedona – Belllock meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 11am at Sedona Elx Lodge
