Introduction
California’s rural counties, some of the poorest in the state, are at risk of losing crucial funding for schools and roads. This is not just a California issue; it affects communities nationwide. If the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Act is not reauthorized, thousands of school employees and road workers will lose their jobs, putting education and infrastructure at risk.To understand the situation, we spoke with Jamie Green, Superintendent of Trinity Alps Unified School District in California. He has been at the forefront of the fight to restore this funding and ensure the survival of rural schools and roads.
The Importance of Secure Rural Schools Act
Siyamak Khorrami: Jamie, welcome. Can you give us some background on the Secure Rural Schools Act and its significance?Jamie Green: Thank you for having me. The Secure Rural Schools Act has been vital to our community. Since 1908, when Teddy Roosevelt and Congress created national forests in 38 states, the federal government recognized that these lands could not generate property taxes. To compensate, they allocated a portion of logging revenue to schools and roads in affected counties.
For nearly a century, this arrangement provided stable funding, allowing rural communities to build and maintain essential infrastructure. However, with changes in environmental policies and a dramatic decline in logging since the 1990s, this funding source has become unreliable. In 2000, the Secure Rural Schools Act was introduced to replace the lost revenue, ensuring that counties could still support education and road maintenance.
Over the years, the program has been reauthorized multiple times, but it remains vulnerable to political shifts. Without consistent long-term funding, rural communities like ours face uncertainty, affecting everything from teacher retention to road safety. We rely on these funds not just for operational expenses but also for programs that enrich our students’ learning experiences and keep our communities functional. The loss of this funding would be catastrophic, especially for counties already struggling with limited economic opportunities.
Initially, funding from logging revenue supported rural schools and roads, but as logging sharply declined around 2000 due to environmental regulations, financial support dwindled. To address this, the Secure Rural Schools Act was enacted to provide necessary funds. While it was regularly reauthorized, last year it failed to pass in Congress, leaving 700 counties and 4,400 school districts nationwide in financial jeopardy.
Siyamak Khorrami: What happens if the funding is not restored?
Jamie Green: The impact will be devastating. In Trinity County, 23% of our road department’s budget comes from SRS funding. If that disappears, they will have to lay off 30 to 40% of their staff, leading to unsafe roads. My school district will lose 5% of its budget, forcing us to lay off five employees. Now, multiply that across 4,400 school districts—thousands of jobs are on the line.
Beyond the job losses, we will be forced to make painful cuts—after-school programs, music, and arts could be eliminated. We’ll have to decide what hurts the least, and that’s not what education should be about. Our focus should be on teaching, not scrambling to make budget cuts.
Siyamak Khorrami: What happened in Congress? Why wasn’t the bill passed?
Jamie Green: It passed the Senate with unanimous support but got stalled in the House. Both Democrats and Republicans support it, and yet, for reasons unknown, it was never brought to a vote. Even our own representatives, including Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Congressman Jared Huffman—who are from different parties—worked hard to get it through, but it got blocked.
This is not a partisan issue. These 700 counties overwhelmingly voted Republican, yet it was the Republican-led House that didn’t act. I don’t believe they understand the full consequences yet. We need to get this message to the Speaker of the House: This is about safe roads, safe schools, and keeping jobs in rural America.
The Role of the State and Federal Responsibility
Siyamak Khorrami: Can the state of California step in?Jamie Green: Our state strongly supports public education, but the reality is that this is a federal issue. In counties where the federal government owns 80% of the land, local authorities have no ability to generate property tax revenue to fund essential services like schools and roads. This has left us heavily dependent on federal funding, particularly from the Secure Rural Schools Act. If the government allowed responsible logging, we could generate our own revenue, but instead, logging has been restricted, and critical funding has been cut off.
This issue extends far beyond California, impacting rural communities in 38 states. These regions face similar challenges—limited economic opportunities, insufficient funding for education, and deteriorating infrastructure. Without federal intervention, schools in these areas will continue to struggle, and entire communities may suffer from lack of investment in future generations. It is imperative that the federal government steps in to uphold its long-standing commitment to these rural areas.
Rural America Deserves Investment
Siyamak Khorrami: How does this affect rural communities like Trinity County?Jamie Green: Trinity County is a proud, hardworking community. We are a mill town, and our residents support each other. We don’t ask for handouts; we just want what was promised. Billions of dollars of water and energy are exported from our county, yet we receive nothing in return.
Despite our economic struggles, we remain resilient and dedicated to our community’s future. Many rural areas across the country face similar challenges, where limited economic opportunities make them heavily dependent on federal support. Without proper investment, rural towns risk stagnation, making it harder for younger generations to thrive and contribute to their communities.
The federal government’s role in supporting these areas is crucial. Industries such as logging, mining, and energy production have historically provided revenue streams that benefited rural economies. However, as regulations have tightened and industries have declined, these communities have been left searching for alternative means of support. The Secure Rural Schools Act was meant to be a lifeline, ensuring that education and infrastructure didn’t suffer as a result.
We need more than just temporary fixes. Long-term investment in rural America is necessary to create sustainable economic development. Whether through responsible resource management, investment in education, or funding for infrastructure, the government must recognize that rural America plays a vital role in the country’s overall prosperity. If we neglect these communities, we risk widening the economic gap and diminishing opportunities for future generations.
Public education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle. We don’t know which child in a small rural town might cure cancer one day. Every student deserves an opportunity, and cutting this funding puts their future at risk.
A Personal Mission
Siyamak Khorrami: You’ve been advocating in Washington, D.C. What has that been like?Jamie Green: We’ve traveled to D.C. seven times, meeting with senators and representatives. Not one person told us they opposed the bill. We built relationships, sent registered letters, and made personal appeals. I even met Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who personally called me to offer support.
This issue needs national attention. We can’t let rural America be forgotten. We need a system where states work together, sharing best practices to improve education. We shouldn’t be operating in silos.
Siyamak Khorrami: You seem incredibly passionate about this. Where does that drive come from?
Jamie Green: My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was in eighth grade. She was a deeply religious Catholic and spent her final years teaching me about compassion, resilience, and selflessness. Every night, she read the Bible to me, instilling values that shaped my outlook on life.
Before she died, she made me promise that I wouldn’t chase money but would dedicate my life to helping others. She urged me to put myself second, third, or even fourth and to prioritize making the world a better place for those around me. She held on as long as she could, determined to see me grow into a man, and just two weeks after my eighth-grade graduation, she passed away.
I’ve honored that promise every day since. It has guided every decision I’ve made, from becoming a teacher to eventually stepping into my role as superintendent. My goal isn’t just to help my school district—it’s to advocate for rural education across the country. I believe that every child, no matter where they live or what their circumstances are, deserves a quality education and an opportunity to succeed. That’s what keeps me going.
Education as a Pathway to Success
Siyamak Khorrami: What’s the broader role of education in your community?Jamie Green: Education gives kids hope. We work to find their strengths and guide them into meaningful careers. Whether it’s college, a trade school, or a technical job, our job is to set them up for success. If schools do their job right, we produce taxpayers, not tax consumers.
For many students in rural areas, education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle. We have kids who might not have electricity at home or access to internet resources, yet they come to school every day eager to learn. I’ve seen firsthand how a single opportunity can change a child’s future. We focus on job shadowing, vocational training, and partnerships with businesses to expose our students to real-world career paths.
One of our success stories involves students who go on to become linemen for power companies. They attend a six-month training program and emerge making six-figure salaries. Others excel in agriculture, mechanics, and skilled trades that are vital to rural economies. Not every student will go to a four-year university, but every student deserves a pathway to a stable and fulfilling career.
Schools also play a critical role in students’ mental health and personal development. We provide mentorship, counseling, and community support to ensure they have the confidence to pursue their dreams. The reality is, when kids see a clear future for themselves, anxiety and uncertainty decrease. That’s why we must continue fighting for the funding needed to maintain and expand these programs. The future of our communities depends on it.
Our teachers work incredibly hard, and they don’t do it for the money. It’s a calling. If people spent just two days teaching a classroom, they would see how challenging—and rewarding—this job is.
The Urgency of Action
Siyamak Khorrami: What needs to happen now?Jamie Green: If Congress acts by May, we can avoid layoffs and cuts. But if they delay, the damage will be irreversible. Thousands of teachers, school staff, and road workers will lose their jobs, severely impacting rural communities across 38 states. The lack of funding will force schools to eliminate essential programs, leaving students without access to arts, music, and extracurricular activities that shape their futures.
The situation is dire, but I am optimistic that if the right people hear this message, they will do the right thing. We need our congressional leaders to step up and fulfill the promise made in 1908. This is not just about budgets—it’s about the livelihoods of families, the education of children, and the future of rural America. If we don’t act now, we risk generations of students being underserved and entire communities struggling to survive.
We are not victims, and we won’t stop fighting. Rural America is just as important as urban and suburban communities. We must ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, receives a high-quality education.
Siyamak Khorrami: Jamie, we hope you get the funding soon.
Jamie Green: Thank you. We appreciate any support we can get. This is a common-sense issue, and I believe we can still make it happen.
