Sacramento – The “Rural After-School Program” bill, authored by Assemblyman Jim Wood, passed through the Assembly Education Committee today with a vote of (5-0). AB 2615 will ensure rural school districts get their fair share of federal after school program funding.
Assemblyman Wood said, “It is essential that all students are provided with safe, social and academic after-school alternatives, and currently rural schools are not getting their fair share. I am proud to author a bill that will adjust the funding distribution formula to reflect the reality of life in rural communities by providing more financial aid for after-school programs.”
The current funding distribution unfairly favors more urban areas and fails to provide for rural schools with the greatest need of financial assistance. This legislation will develop a process for equitable distribution of after school program funding in each geographic region ensuring rural schools get their fair share of funding.
“The improved geographic funding distribution will provide children in rural communities with the important academic and social support of after-school programs,” said Wood.
AB 2516 will be heard next in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Elected in 2014, Assemblymember Jim Wood (D- Healdsburg) represents the 2nd Assembly District, which includes all of Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, plus northern and coastal Sonoma County, including the northern half of Santa Rosa.
http://asmdc.org/members/a02/