How is San Onofre School Funded?

The majority of funding for San Onofre School comes from Fallbrook Union Elementary School District’s (FUESD) base budget. FUESD, like most districts, relies heavily on state funding and local property taxes for its budget. However, military land and housing on Camp Pendleton do not generate property tax revenue, presenting a unique funding challenge. To help address this shortfall, FUESD receives Impact Aid, though it only partially compensates for the loss of local tax dollars.

What is Impact Aid?

Impact Aid is a federal program that provides financial assistance to school districts impacted by the presence of nontaxable federal property, such as military bases. Established in 1950, the program helps offset the loss of local tax revenue. While important, Impact Aid only covers a small portion of the funding gap for San Onofre School.

Why Does San Onofre School Receive Impact Aid?

Fallbrook spans approximately 168,000 acres, with Camp Pendleton occupying 111,000 of those acres. Because the federal government does not pay property taxes, the district loses out on potential revenue. Impact Aid helps fill some of this gap, but it only reimburses about 7 cents on the dollar, meaning it falls significantly short of what property taxes would generate.

To ensure San Onofre School and its students have the resources they need, FUESD supplements its funding through the district’s base budget and additional state and federal sources beyond Impact Aid.

How is Impact Aid Used?

Impact Aid funds benefit all students at San Onofre School, not just those from military families. These funds help cover costs such as:

• Teacher salaries
• Instructional materials
• Facility maintenance and improvements

However, there are challenges:

• The district must reapply for Impact Aid annually.
• The funding amount fluctuates each year based on congressional appropriations.

Challenges with Impact Aid

Although Impact Aid is essential, it has not been fully funded since 1969. As a result, FUESD is reimbursed only a fraction of what it loses in local tax revenue. The district continues to advocate for full funding, working closely with organizations like the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS) to secure resources for students.

Why is Impact Aid Important?

Without Impact Aid and additional funding, San Onofre School would face significant financial challenges due to the absence of property tax revenue from military land. FUESD remains committed to supporting the students and schools aboard Camp Pendleton through a combination of Impact Aid and other funding sources, ensuring that San Onofre School can continue to provide a high-quality education for all its students.

For more information about Impact Aid, please visit the NAFIS website.