[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RURAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                           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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