In a recent meeting, the Central Consolidated School District (CCSD) Board of Education addressed critical funding challenges that threaten the educational opportunities for its predominantly Native American student population. The board passed a resolution aimed at advocating for changes to state and federal funding methodologies, highlighting the district's struggle with inadequate facilities and resources.

The resolution outlines the dire circumstances faced by CCSD, which serves a vast area of over 3,000 square miles, primarily within the Navajo Nation. With less than 2% of taxable property and a significant reliance on the now-closed San Juan Generating Station and the soon-to-close Four Corners Power Plant, the district has seen a dramatic increase in student homelessness—over 700% since the closure of the San Juan facility.

Board members emphasized that the district's limited tax base forces them to divert state funding intended for educational expenses to maintain deteriorating school facilities. Many of these structures have been deemed structurally unsound, exacerbating the challenges of providing a quality education in a rural setting where basic necessities like electricity and running water are often lacking for a substantial portion of the student body.

The board's resolution calls for a reevaluation of the state equalization guarantee formula to better reflect the unique needs of CCSD and similar districts. This includes addressing historical underfunding, increased expenses due to rural isolation, and the specific challenges posed by the Yazzie Martinez ruling, which mandates improvements for at-risk students.

During the meeting, members expressed concern over the upcoming demolition of the smokestacks at the San Juan Generating Station, viewing it as a symbol of the ongoing challenges that will further impact the district's financial stability and, consequently, its students' education.

The board is committed to advocating for necessary changes in funding structures to ensure that CCSD can provide adequate educational facilities and resources, aiming to prevent further learning deficits among its students.