Rural Resilience: Advocating For California’s School Districts With Yuri Calderon
As federal funding hangs in the balance, California’s rural school districts face a stark challenge: how to maintain essential services amid the uncertain future of the Secure Rural Schools Act. Originally established to offset declines in timber revenue from federal lands, the Act has become a lifeline for hundreds of districts. But after failing to gain reauthorization in 2024, many schools now confront steep budget cuts—some losing up to 20% of their funding.
What happens to rural education when vital federal dollars suddenly vanish—and what can educators do to make their voices heard?
In this episode of Just Thinking, host Kevin Dougherty, Chief Strategy Officer at 806 Technologies, welcomes back Yuri Calderon, Executive Director of the Small School Districts Association (SSDA). Together, they unpack the historical importance and current jeopardy of the Secure Rural Schools Act, explore how legislative advocacy plays a critical role in sustaining small school systems, and share practical strategies for engaging lawmakers.
Key discussion points from the episode:
- The Secure Rural Schools Act’s impact: How the loss of this critical funding—up to $700,000 for some districts—threatens staffing, services, and student outcomes.
- Why legislative engagement matters: Calderon shares his recent efforts lobbying all 51 California congressional offices and explains how educators can effectively advocate for their communities.
- SSDA’s on-the-ground support: From the E3 Forums (Engage, Empower, Elevate) to statewide initiatives focused on school culture and attendance, SSDA is bringing resources and relationships to the most remote parts of California.
Yuri Calderon is the Executive Director of the Small School Districts Association, representing over 600 school districts across California, many of which serve rural and isolated communities. With a background in education leadership and a reputation for passionate, hands-on advocacy, Calderon works tirelessly to secure funding, support leadership development, and elevate the voices of small district educators statewide.
Article written by MarketScale.
