Millions Headed to Southern Oregon Counties
New federal Secure Rural Schools funding will support roads, schools, public safety, and wildfire readiness across the region
Senator Merkley announces millions for Oregon schools. (file photo)
Updated: 6:03 p.m., April 21, 2026 to include a statement from Glen Szymoniak, superintendent of the Klamath County School District.
OREGON - Federal funding tied to Oregon’s forest lands is heading back to rural communities after U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced that nearly $48.7 million in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding will be distributed to Oregon counties for fiscal year 2025.
The money comes after Congress approved bipartisan legislation late last year reauthorizing the long-running program, which helps counties offset lost timber revenue caused by federally managed lands that are not on local tax rolls.
According to the lawmakers, the funding is intended to help support schools, county roads, public safety operations, and wildfire mitigation in rural communities.
“Young Oregonians who deserve quality schools, and all Oregonians counting on safe roads as well as dependable public safety will all benefit from these investments in communities throughout our state,” Wyden said.
“SRS payments are a lifeline for rural communities here in Oregon and across America—supporting our schools, public safety, and wildfire mitigation and preparedness,” Merkley added.
Southern Oregon County Allocations
Several Southern Oregon and nearby regional counties are set to receive significant shares of the funding through the U.S. Forest Service report:
Douglas County: $8,252,636.56
Klamath County: $7,017,931.40
Jackson County: $6,289,611.51
Josephine County: $4,949,306.44
Lake County: $2,871,953.91
Curry County: $1,839,048.85
Deschutes County: $962,351.80
Douglas, Klamath, Jackson, and Josephine counties were among the largest recipients in the state, reflecting the heavy presence of federal forest lands across Southwest Oregon.
More Funding Still Expected
Lawmakers also noted that additional payments are expected later when the Bureau of Land Management announces separate Secure Rural Schools distributions for Oregon’s 18 O&C counties.
Wyden, one of the original authors of the Secure Rural Schools law in 2000, said the program has delivered nearly $4 billion to Oregon counties since its creation.
County leaders across Southern Oregon have long argued the funding is essential for maintaining basic services in communities where federal land ownership limits traditional tax revenue sources.
When asked how this effects Klamath County and the Klamath County School District, Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said:
The amount listed for Klamath County is allocated to the County itself. The Klamath County School District (KCSD) receives approximately $850,000 to $1,000,000 annually.
When I arrived at KCSD, the Oregon Department of Education was classifying Secure Rural Schools Act funds as local revenue, resulting in a corresponding reduction in state funding. To address this, I worked with Jeff Merkley’s office to secure a change in federal law prohibiting states from supplanting these funds.
Following that, I partnered with Rep. McIntire to revise state-level implementation. This effort ensured that Secure Rural Schools funding would be distributed to districts without a reduction in state support. Additionally, we secured a requirement for the state to reimburse districts for three prior years of underpayments.
As a result of these efforts, KCSD has received more than $7 million to date and scheduled to get another $1 million this year. For reference, I’ve included the relevant figures below:
Secure Rural Schools Act – Financial Impact on KCSD
Back Payments (Underpayments):
2017–18: $934,633
2018–19: $829,545
2019–20: $810,572
Total Back Payment: $2,574,781Annual Payments Since 2019–20:
2020–21: $828,508
2021–22: $1,041,437
2022–23: $989,426
2023–24: $1,070,051
2024–25: $1,021,3052025-26
Total Secured (as of 2024–25): $7,525,508
Cover image, file photo - Chiloquin High School.
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