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Timber cash may go to rural schools By DAMIAN MANN Timber bailout money that was siphoned off this year by the state of Oregon could be sent directly to rural school districts in the future, thanks to a U.S. Senate decision this week to close a loophole in federal legislation. This would force the state to send $14.4 million directly to timber-dependent schools next year, of which $550,000 would go to benefit 29,565 Jackson County students, according to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. Butte Falls School District board member John Huey welcomed the news, but he was discouraged that it doesn't add up to much money for his small district. With the average student expected to receive about $18 extra, that will amount to about $4,000 in additional funds for his district's 225 students. That $18 won't help other school districts either, said Huey. "It's not going to do much for Jackson County." Huey's district already stands to lose $44,000 next year if the state follows through on plans to cut education spending by 2 percent because of a worsening economy. Despite the minimal financial impacts, Huey still supports the original spirit of the legislation to provide financial support to areas of the country that have suffered from a loss of logging dollars. Butte Falls and other rural counties had earlier denounced the state's decision to include the bailout money in the $5.2 billion education package because it would benefit larger districts, primarily in the Willamette Valley. "When I pushed on a bipartisan basis to increase education funding for rural schools, I intended that money to go to rural education," said Wyden. State officials argued that budget changes made years ago to equalize education funding already have helped rural districts by giving them more money than they would otherwise receive. They believe that it doesn't make sense to change the rules now because it runs counter to Oregon's funding policy. Also, the $14.4 million would further reduce the $5.2 billion education package, which already is threatened by a possible 2 percent reduction in revenues. Wyden's communications director Lisa Wade Raasch said Oregon was the only state that didn't send the money to the affected counties this year. "This will guarantee that the original intent of the legislation would be preserved," she said. The new language states the money will be used to supplement and not supplant state or local public funds. Language changes already have been made in a Senate-approved version of an appropriations bill, and Wyden expects the House version will soon include this provision. As part of this timber bailout program, the federal government will give Oregon counties $1.3 billion over the next six years to help not only education but roads and county services as well. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.