Wilmington School District and Federal Impact Aid
Wilmington School District is a proud member of the Federal Lands Impacted Schools Association (FLISA) and the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS). These organizations advocate for public school districts across the nation that are financially impacted by the presence of federal property.
Within the boundaries of Wilmington School District lie two federally owned properties: the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Together, these properties encompass approximately 15,000 acres, or about 25% of the land area in our district.
Because federal property is exempt from local taxation, school districts with significant federal land lose the property tax revenue that would otherwise support public education. Although the number of students we serve does not decrease, the resources available to educate them are reduced.
To help offset a portion of this lost revenue, Congress included Impact Aid within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Impact Aid provides partial funding to districts like Wilmington that are directly affected by federal land ownership. While these funds do not fully replace the lost tax base, they play a critical role in supporting our educational programs, staff, and student services.
As a member of FLISA and NAFIS, Wilmington School District works alongside other impacted districts nationwide to ensure that federal policymakers understand the financial challenges created by federal land ownership and the importance of continued, strong support for Impact Aid.
Our participation in these organizations helps protect the educational opportunities provided to all Wilmington students—now and into the future.