Parents of Hawaii public school students are being encouraged to complete and return to their school a federal census survey card sent home on Sept. 4.
The annual survey determines funding for impacts from “federally connected” students.
Examples include children who reside on federal property or eligible low-rent housing, or those who have a parent on active duty in the military or who is employed on federal property.
These funds provide partial reimbursement to the state for the loss of local taxes associated with tax-free federal institutions.
“Federal impact funds are critical to support our students, educators and the overall operation of our schools,” state school Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said in a statement today.
During the 2011-12 school year, the state accounted for more than 30,000 federally connected students and received more than $80 million – or an average of nearly $2,700 per student – in federal impact aid the following school year.
The amount represents about 20% of the state’s average per-pupil expenditure.
If they have not yet received a survey card, parents should contact their school to obtain one.
School officials ask that the cards be filled out and turned in as soon as possible, ideally by the end of the month. However, schools will accept the cards throughout the school year.
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