In the News

As a recognized leader on Impact Aid, NAFIS is frequently sought out for insight and commentary. Explore recent media coverage featuring our team’s perspectives and expertise.

2026

Federal spending deal maintains funding for education, rejecting Trump’s proposed cuts (January 30, 2026)
EdSource reports on a bipartisan spending deal that preserves funding for most federal education programs, highlighting potential effects of a short shutdown and quoting NAFIS Communications Director Anne O’Brien on impacts to federally impacted school districts.

2025

Education Department resumes operations after prolonged shutdown (November 13, 2025)
In discussing the impact of the government shutdown on school districts, K-12 Dive noted the disruption to federally impacted school districts, citing a NAFIS survey and quoting Executive Director Cherise Imai.

The shutdown is hurting schools whose budgets are mostly federal money (November 5, 2025)
The Associated Press reports on how the federal government shutdown is straining federally impacted school districts across the country, with NAFIS Board Members Quincy Natay, Burnie Roper, and Voyd St. Pierre offering insights into their districts’ context.

Wisconsin school districts on federal land feeling effects of government shutdown (October 24, 2025)
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlights how the ongoing federal shutdown is delaying Impact Aid payments and straining district budgets, with insights from NAFIS Communications Director Anne O’Brien and Wisconsin State Chair Josh Ernst.

No Education Department? No Problem, Trump’s Education Secretary Says. (October 21, 2025)
A recent The New York Times article highlighting concerns about the impact of layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education on federally impacted districts, including a quote from NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai.

Many Districts Will Lose Federal Funds Until the Shutdown Ends (October 15, 2025)
Education Week highlights growing concern as Impact Aid payments stall during the federal shutdown, with NAFIS Board Treasurer Chad Blotsky sharing his district’s story and NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai emphasizing the uncertainty that district’s face with layoffs in the Impact Aid office.

Federal shutdown could hurt government services like WIC, SNAP in Indiana (October 13, 2025)
The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports on how the federal government shutdown is threatening key programs like WIC and Impact Aid, highlighting a NAFIS statement and data on Indiana’s federally impacted school districts.

Schools dependent on federal aid face shutdown pain (October 9, 2025)
Politico highlights the challenges facing Impact Aid-dependent schools amid the federal shutdown, with insights from NAFIS Board Members Craig Hutcheson and Hilary Bales on the vital role of this funding plays in their school districts. (subscription required)

Vulnerable schools prepare for the worst amid shutdown (October 5, 2025)
The Hill highlights the threat that federal shutdowns pose to Impact Aid districts, featuring insights from NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai and Board Members Craig Hutcheson and Burnie Roper on the critical funding challenges faced by schools serving Military and Native American students.

Federal Shutdown’s Impact to Wisconsin Schools Limited, But Some Funds May Be Delayed (October 2, 2025)
NAFIS Communications Director Anne O’Brien spoke with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the potential effect of the federal government shutdown on Impact Aid school districts, noting that a short shutdown has minimal impact, but a longer one could financially strain high-need districts and force tough budget decisions. This article also links to the NAFIS Impact Aid Payments Overview.

Representative Newhouse Press Release on 75th Anniversary of Impact Aid Resolution (September 30, 2025)
Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) along with 15 co-sponsors, introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of the program and designating September 30, 2025, as “Impact Aid Recognition Day”, with NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai noting the vital role that Impact Aid plays and thanking Congress for its longstanding support of the program.

Senator Hirono Press Release on 75th Anniversary of Impact Aid Resolution (September 30, 2025)
Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), along with 25 co-sponsors, introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of the program and designating September 30, 2025, as “Impact Aid Recognition Day”, with NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai underscoring the essential role of the Impact Aid program and calling for continued bipartisan commitment to its future.

Senator Luján Press Release on the Impact Aid Full Funding Bill (September 24, 2025)
Senators Luján, Tillis, Gillibrand, and Mullin reintroduced the bipartisan Advancing Toward Impact Aid Full Funding Act, with NAFIS Executive Director Cherise Imai highlighting the legislation’s importance for federally impacted school districts.

AASA PEP Talk Podcast (September 18, 2025)
NAFIS President Quincy Natay, Superintendent of Chinle Unified School District #24 (AZ), joined PEP Talk, the advocacy podcast from AASA, to discuss the vital role of Impact Aid in supporting federally impacted school districts.

Oversight Hearing: “Native American Education – Examining Federal Programs at the U.S. Department of Education” (April 2, 2025)
NAFIS Executive Director Nicole Russell testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, highlighting the essential role of Impact Aid in supporting Native students and addressing funding, infrastructure, and program administration challenges in federally impacted school districts.

Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze Was Blocked. But Confusion Among Schools Remains (January 28, 2025)
NAFIS Executive Director Nicole Russell spoke with Education Week on the Trump administration’s proposed federal funding freeze, emphasizing that while Impact Aid remains unaffected for now, many federally impacted districts rely on other federal funding streams and face continued uncertainty as legal challenges unfold.