Dr. Steven L. Johnson: Rural Schools at Risk: The Unseen Real Toll of Federal and State Education Cuts in North Dakota (Op-Ed)
Dr. Steve Johnson, a longtime RSC advocate and rural superintendent based in Fort Ransom, North Dakota, shares his perspective on the dangers of cutting education funding.
Photo credit: North Dakota Tourism
About the Author:
Dr. Steven L. Johnson is the Superintendent of the Fort Ransom School District and has been a passionate advocate for rural education for nearly 50 years. With a deep commitment to supporting small, rural schools in North Dakota, he is actively involved in the National Rural Education Association (NREA) and Rural Educational Associates, LLC, where he works to assist schools in overcoming challenges that threaten the future of rural education.
Rural Schools at Risk: The Unseen Real Toll of Federal and State Education Cuts in North Dakota
The educational landscape for small rural schools in North Dakota has long been fraught with challenges: declining enrollments, aging infrastructures, and tight budgets. Rural staffing shortages add another layer of complexity, as schools struggle to attract and retain qualified teachers. These issues are especially pronounced in North Dakota’s rural school districts located in counties outside the seven or eight most-populous counties in the state. But recent federal cuts, along with state-level attacks on public education, have turned a struggle into a crisis, threatening to make the situation even worse and putting at risk programs that are critical for students in these communities.
The Impact of Federal Cuts on Rural Education
Federal funding for K-12 schools has become increasingly precarious. The Trump administration’s significant cuts to the Department of Education, along with reductions to key programs, have far-reaching implications for rural schools.
In North Dakota, 166 school districts exist, but only those with 600 students or fewer qualify for the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP). Specifically, the Small Rural School Achievement (SRSA) program and the Rural Low-Income Schools (RLIC) program are vital for these smaller districts, supporting schools with high poverty rates. The delays and reductions in SRSA and RLIC funding for FY2025 are forcing these districts into a disadvantage, making them choose between cutting services or stretching their already limited resources even thinner.
State-Level Attacks on Public Education
Adding to the challenges posed by federal cuts, North Dakota’s state government has introduced a $44-$58 million voucher and Education Savings Account (ESA) scheme that diverts resources away from public schools to private institutions. Despite clear public opposition, this proposal would destabilize an already fragile system, siphoning off funds that should be supporting the public schools where the majority of North Dakota’s children are educated. This misguided move would ultimately hurt the very students who need the most support.
Moreover, the state has decided against funding free school meals for all students, despite widespread public support for such initiatives. This decision will burden schools like mine with additional costs while increasing financial strain on families who are already struggling.
Local Stories: How These Cuts Affect Us in North Dakota
As the former Superintendent of Lisbon Public Schools and the current Superintendent at Fort Ransom School District, I see firsthand how these cuts hurt our students. Fort Ransom, with its small enrollment and reliance on SRSA funding for essential services, faces challenges without Title I support. Lisbon, with over 600 students and 20-30% poverty, relies heavily on federal programs to support students with disabilities and low-income backgrounds.
Moreover, the cancellation of the USDA's Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, which allocated $660 million nationally in 2025, leaves many rural schools without access to fresh, locally-sourced food, making it harder to provide nutritious meals to students (Politico, 2025). These cuts are particularly impactful in North Dakota, where the Local Food for Schools program supported both local agriculture and education.
Why We Must Act Now
These cuts aren’t just numbers on a government report—they’re real, tangible harms to children, teachers, and communities. In North Dakota, we understand better than most that when the federal government pulls back, local communities must pick up the slack, but rural areas simply don’t have the resources to do so. If we don’t speak up and demand accountability from our leaders, rural education will continue to suffer.
It’s time to stand up for our kids. It’s time to demand that Congress ensures timely REAP payments, fully supports IDEA funding for students with disabilities, and rejects the harmful voucher and ESA schemes that would undercut public education. Without our concerted action, rural schools in North Dakota—and across the country—will be left to fend for themselves—and may even cease to exist.
Citations:
Politico. (2025). USDA Cuts Over $1 Billion in Funding for Schools and Local Food Purchases. politico.com.
North Dakota Monitor. (2025). Proposed $50 Million Rural Community Endowment Fund. northdakotamonitor.com.
Thank you to Dr. Steven L. Johnson for sharing this story from RSC's North Dakota Hub.