Good News: Congress Reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools Program

Good News for Rural Wisconsin Communities: Congress Reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools Program

Rural communities in northern Wisconsin have reason to celebrate this holiday season. In December 2025, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, extending a vital federal program that supports schools and local services in areas with significant national forest land. This bipartisan legislation was signed into law by President Trump on December 18 covers fiscal years 2024 through 2026, and restores funding that many rural districts have been missing.

What Is the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program?

The SRS program, originally established in 2000, helps counties and school districts near national forests compensate for the inability to collect property taxes on federal land. Historically, these areas received revenue from timber harvests on public lands, but as logging declined, so did that income. SRS steps in to provide stable payments, preventing drastic cuts to essential services like education and road maintenance.

In Wisconsin, the program directly ties to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, which spans much of the northern part of the state. Without SRS, many counties and schools saw sharp funding drops—for example, some districts reported annual payments falling from around $170,000 to just $60,000 when the program lapsed.

“The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act ensures that counties with large amounts of tax-exempt federal land receive the funding they need to keep schools open, maintain local roads, and support emergency services,” said Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI 07), a champion of this legislation. “Without this support, rural communities would be left to make up the difference on their own. I worked closely with Wisconsin schools, community advocates, and federal leadership in Washington to get this bill signed into law. No student or family should be left behind simply because of where they live, and I will continue fighting to ensure rural Wisconsin has the resources it needs to thrive,” added Congressman Tiffany.

How Does This Reauthorization Benefit Wisconsin?

This reauthorization delivers certainty and much-needed dollars to rural Wisconsin:

• Retroactive funding for 2024 - restoring payments that were delayed or reduced.
• Continued support through 2026 - helping schools and counties plan budgets without fear of sudden shortfalls.
• Direct aid to education - a portion of funds (Title I) goes straight to school districts for teachers, programs, and facilities.
• Broader community benefits - other portions support roads, emergency services, and forest improvement projects.

For small rural schools facing tight budgets, this funding can mean keeping class sizes manageable, maintaining extracurriculars, or avoiding staff reductions. It levels the playing field for students in areas where federal landownership limits local tax revenue.

Which Wisconsin Schools and Communities Benefit?

Approximately eleven northern Wisconsin counties with Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest land qualify for SRS payments. Commonly impacted counties include:

• Ashland
• Bayfield
• Florence
• Forest
• Langlade
• Oconto
• Oneida
• Price
• Sawyer
• Taylor
• Vilas

School districts in these counties—often small and rural—receive the education-focused share. Examples include:

• Crandon School District (Forest County)
• Districts in Langlade, Price, and Vilas counties
• Other northern schools like those in Wabeno or Laona areas

If your school or county borders the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, it likely benefits.

How to Get More Information and What to Do Next

The bill signing will now trigger payments for FY2024 (which were on hold) to be dispersed and will set up distributions for 2025 and 2026.

To learn more or prepare:

• Contact your local school district or county officials → They can explain how SRS funds are allocated in your area.
• Reach out to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest office → Contact the North Wisconsin Resource Advisory Committee coordinator, Ann Dassow, at ann.dassow@usda.gov for details on local projects.
• Visit the USDA Forest Service SRS website → fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/secure-rural-schools for payment reports, eligibility info, and updates.
• Connect with your congressional representative → Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) has championed this issue for northern Wisconsin and can provide district-specific guidance.

This reauthorization is a win for rural Wisconsin, ensuring our schools and communities remain strong despite challenges from federal land ownership. Stay informed—your local funding could be on the way soon!